People of all ages can be insecure about something, whether it’s physical or something that is less visible. But at what point does insecurity become something more?
For many students, body image and insecurity in daily life can make the struggles of high school feel significantly harder.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric disorder that affects nearly one in 50 people worldwide, causing them to obsess over flaws that are minor or not visible to others, that they perceive as major. While BDD is less common, body image dissatisfaction (BID) is extremely common, affecting between 69–84% of women and 10–30% of men.
While millions of Americans feel dissatisfied with their body in some way, many of these ideologies and patterns start in adolescence, causing many of these issues to persist long-term if not treated. According to a study by Michigan Health, 73% of teen girls are self-conscious, and 69% of teen boys are self-conscious.
Throughout adolescence, our bodies change in all sorts of ways. From internal pressures to look a certain way to familial expectations to friends’ and community members’ comments, many find it hard to build their own self-images. Social influences can also play a significant role.
Bullying, teasing, and even subtle comments about appearance can leave lasting effects, particularly during a period when many are already noticing changes.
“It started with a lot of comparison stuff, and then [ I started getting] all sorts of comments about how I looked,” anonymous senior A.A. said. “That kinda influenced me to get into those unhealthy eating habits. I feel like it was kind of a combination of my own mind and people.”
For students and teenagers, this is especially important. Body image struggles often begin during adolescence, a period already filled with physical changes, academic pressure, and social comparison. When appearance-related distress becomes overwhelming, it can affect nearly every aspect of daily life.
From anxiety during presentations to struggles focusing, some students find they are preoccupied with how they look or whether others are judging them. This can cause significant issues moving through daily life, in a time when many are already struggling to align with peers.
“There were times, like entire years, where the number one thing on my mind was my body and how I look and my weight, so I feel like it can be, like, really hindering,” A.A. said.
Media and cultural beauty standards also play a big role. Constant exposure to edited images and idealized body types can distort how students see themselves. Social media, in particular, makes this worse by encouraging constant comparison.
A.A. explained how complicated social media can be, as many people’s feeds can be very curated and unnatural.
“You definitely are only seeing the best part of people’s experiences [on social media]. I feel like it can be very unhealthy because you’re comparing yourself,” A.A. said.
Many teens are seeing images of peers and influencers who look flawless, which can lead to unrealistic expectations. BDD can also overlap with other issues. For some students, dissatisfaction with their appearance connects to disordered eating, as they try to change how their bodies look.
“When I am eating more, it’s like, oh my god, I’m the worst person ever, and then when I’m not eating that much, it’s always this positive reinforcement, like you’re doing so good,” A.A. said. “I feel like it’s really hard, especially as somebody who’s been on both extremes, to balance the pressures either way.”
