Struggling with negative body image? So many of us feel excited when we finally make it through the cold winter months and get to enjoy the sunshine that comes with summertime. While summer can be a fun time for us, it may trigger negative thoughts about the way we look. We live in a world that is saturated with images and messages that reinforce unrealistic beauty standards.

In a world where appearances seem to take precedence in our lives, many individuals struggle with their self-image. For some, concerns about appearance can become so overwhelming that they develop a mental health condition known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), also known as Body Dysmorphia. Understanding this condition and its treatment is important for those affected by it, and for society as a whole to better support and reduce the stigma around mental health.

Our mental health often improves as the temperature gets warmer and the days get longer. However, stress surrounding body image can also surface. We naturally wear less clothing in the summer to keep up with higher temperatures. But less clothing means exposing more skin and fewer opportunities to “hide” everything we’ve deemed hateable. At the same time, many of us also attend more social events because people finally want to get out and enjoy the weather!