Disability and body image

Body image concerns are linked to the development of mental health issues including eating disorders, anxiety, depression and self-harm. If you don’t like your body (or a specific part) this can really affect how you feel in general. Negative body image may lead us to compare ourselves to others or feel like we are not good enough. Negative body image and feelings of shame, discomfort or embarrassment in relation to our bodies may spill over into other areas of our life and prevent us from pursuing activities or goals which are important to us.

Disability is a very broad term and includes a wide variety of people. This can include people with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental disabilities, conditions they were born with or that have been acquired. Some disabilities are visible to other people, and some of them are invisible. How disability affects body image depends on the individual. In general, we tend to see very narrow beauty ideals represented in the media, see our page on coping with media pressure for more information. These ideals typically represent non-disabled people, and we rarely see disabled people represented in mainstream media. Market research in the United States in 2019 found that only 4.2% of media contained disability themes, and over half of disabled people asked felt that they weren’t represented accurately in the media.

This difference between the ideals that we see in the media and what our own bodies look like, can really put a lot of pressure on our body image, for people of all ages, abilities and genders. People with disabilities speak about the lack of representation of similar body types in the media and the impact this has on their perception of themselves as a whole. Feeling excluded in this way can lead to feelings of inadequacy and body dissatisfaction.

The unrealistic body shapes presented in the media are consistently highlighted as a source of body image pressure. Research indicates that the narrow ideals presented in the media of slim flawless women and muscular flawless men can lead to feelings of ‘not measuring up’ or not being ‘good enough’ and are a significant source of body image pressure. The discrepancy between the ideals presented and one’s own body shape is a significant source of body image pressure for people of all ages and genders.

“I don’t see people like me in the media which makes me feel like there’s something wrong with me”

“It’s like that’s how you’re supposed to look and you feel bad ‘cause you don’t”
- Bodywhys focus group members

According to the United Nations, “an estimated 1.3 billion people – about 16% of the global population – currently experience significant disability.” People with disabilities encounter unique challenges in their daily lives, often as a result of being perceived as ‘other’ or different by their peers and society in general. This is known as ableism – where disabled people are discriminated against or face prejudice by non-disabled people. Many disability activists believe that it is actually society that creates disability by making the world inaccessible. It is the barriers that disabled people face that causes the disability. These challenges can impact significantly on one’s body image and overall well-being.

Although much of the research indicates that disability can impact negatively on body image, research has shown that with time, many people can grow to become more accepting of their disability and to report more positive body image experiences. In research on persons with spinal cord injury, studies indicate that many adjust to their bodies and disability over time. Studies have found that some people with spinal cord injury reported feeling satisfied with their appearance and the functioning of their body, and developed positive body image after their injury. There are many different ways to improve body image for disabled people, for example research has found social support, challenging beliefs about disability, physical activity, dance and movement-based activities or therapies and learning to appreciate the body for what it can do can all help to improve body image.

Body image influences

Consider the negative influences on body image in your life and how you can reduce their impact. You will find specific information on this website to help you to challenge media and social media pressure, advice on dealing with negative comments from peers, information to support specifically male or female body image concerns and a section for young people which was developed in collaboration with the Bodywhys Youth Panel. See the dropdown menu at the top of the page to select the areas which are most relevant to you.

Turn your focus away from body image

Body image concerns can make us feel like appearance is more important than it actually is. Make a conscious effort to change this and to shift your focus away from appearance and looks. Try to stop judging body shapes or making appearance comments and shift your focus instead to personality traits, abilities or achievements. Remind yourself of the qualities you admire in friends and family that make them enjoyable to be around. Consider your own strengths, achievements or skills and remind yourself that your worth is not determined by your appearance.

Mindful media use

We are inundated with media messages promoting unrealistic beauty standards that represent non-disabled people, which can make it difficult to accept and feel happy with our size, shape or the way our body functions. It is possible however to become mindful of unhealthy patterns of thinking or negative influences to body image and to choose to lessen our exposure to these. By making a conscious effort to develop healthy habits and an attitude of acceptance towards our bodies, we can greatly improve how we feel about ourselves.

Become aware of any critical thoughts that you are having about your body and remind yourself that your worth is not determined by your appearance. If you find that time online or on social media is impacting in a negative way, then it would be helpful to reflect on this and consider how to change your online behaviours to support your well-being. It’s important to be conscious of how content online is affecting us and to make changes to support ourselves in a positive way. Although it’s not as simple as ‘don’t look’, it is important to try to stay mindful when you are online or using social media. Notice how the content you are engaging with online is affecting you. Tune into your mood and body to notice what is having a negative effect. Take a look at our social media tips for more advice.

It may also be helpful to seek out accounts on social media that celebrate a diverse range of bodies, including disabled bodies. Given the lack of representation of disabled bodies in mainstream media, social media can help people with disabilities to feel represented and to find role models that they identify more closely with. These accounts may be relatable and representative of their own experience, while promoting positive body image messages. Being exposed to a broader representation of body shapes and body types can have a positive influence on body image

Improving body image

In addressing body image concerns, remind yourself that body image only makes up one part of who we are. Take the time to consider how body image concerns are holding you back and what you would like to do if you had no concerns about how you look. You will find additional guidance on addressing body image concerns, recognising your strengths and developing healthy body image in our section on improving body image.

Research indicates that practicing self-compassion can have a positive influence on body image concerns. Learning to accept our experiences and extend kindness towards ourselves in these instances enables us to move forward rather than being held back by these experiences. Find out more about self-compassion in our general section on improving body image.

Seek out and spend time with people who accept you for who you are, and who are supportive towards you. You may find communities and like-minded people to connect with in your local community or in online spaces.

Useful Resources + links:

🎧 Podcast: Listen to disability advocate Sophie Butler discuss disability, advocacy and body image on the podcast Good Influence - click here.

🎧 Podcast: Listen to disability advocate Sophie Butler and fitness influencer Lucy Mountain discuss fitness and being anti-diet culture - click here.

📰 Article: Activist Blessing Dada discusses why ‘disability isn’t a dirty word.’ - click here.

💻 Website: The Butterfly foundation is an Australian eating disorders charity and on this page they discuss body image in women with disabilities - click here.

🎥 Video: This video for world Down Syndrome Day 2024 highlights the power of assumptions - click here.

📰 Article: Read about the harm of disability stereotypes in the media - click here.

📰 Article: Disability and body image: fitting in when your body does not - click here.

🎧 Podcast: On the Butterfly Podcast Let’s Talk, they discuss disability and how it affects body image. Discussion of the experience of anorexia, please listen with care - click here.

💻 Website: Enable Ireland is an organisation that supports people with disabilities in Ireland - click here.

🎥 Video: Irish disability activist Sinead Burke talks about accessible design in this TED talk - click here.

GENERAL BODY IMAGE AND WELL-BEING

📝 Data Sheet: Clean eating: Dispelling the myths around healthy eating - click here.

📝 Publication: A selection of useful resources from the Mental Health Foundation in the UK in relation to looking after our mental health, including ‘how can we protect, promote and maintain body image’ - click here.

📝 Guide: This resource provides some useful information about preparing for university whilst living with or recovering from an eating disorder - click here.

🎧 Podcast: Listen to Dr. Hazel Wallace and registered nutritionist Laura Thomas discuss diet culture, body neutrality and intuitive eating - click here.

🎧 Podcast: Positive body image: Listen to the hosts of the Appearance Matters podcast interview Dr. Tracy Tylka about positive body image and discuss relevant research studies on this topic - click here.

🎧 Podcast: Listen to Dr Kristen Neff discussing how self-compassion can help to heal your inner critic - click here.

🎧 Podcast: Listen to dietitians Corrine Dobbas and Fiona Sutherland talk about body image and body image healing - click here.

📰 Article: Darren Kennedy opens up about body image and eating disorder concerns in this article - click here.

YOUNG PEOPLE

💻 Website: BelongTo provide support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in Ireland. You will find out more on their website - click here

💻 Website: See spunout.ie for more tips from young people on maintaining positive mental health - click here.

MEN AND BODY IMAGE

🎧 Podcast: On the following episode of the Appearance Matters podcast, the topic of male body image and the eating disorder muscle dysmorphia are discussed - click here.

🎥 Video: The following resource is a TED Talk given by researcher Dr. Scott Griffiths on the topic of muscle dysmorphia - click here.

💻 Website: Further information about men & eating disorders - click here.

📰 Article: Gym culture and male body image pressure - click here.

EXERCISE AND BODY IMAGE

🎧 Podcast: Listen to the hosts of “Go Love Yourself” interview personal trainer Tally Rye about the concept of ‘Intuitive Movement’ - click here.

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