S/T Abnormal Psychology

Body Image, Psychopathology, and Treatment. Body image is an important component of how people feel about themselves. Body image dissatisfaction has become increasingly prevalent in the last several decades and is thought to play an important role in several psychological conditions, ranging from low self-esteem to eating disorders, obesity, social anxiety, sexual problems, and body dysmorphic disorder. This course will explore body image theories, research, and clinical applications. It will begin by covering the theories of body image, focusing on developmental and sociocultural influences and include a discussion of current assessment methods. The course will then move to a discussion of body image dissatisfaction and the relationship of body image dissatisfaction to other forms of psychopathology. Drawing from clinical examples, the course will conclude with a review of treatment models for body image dissatisfaction and its related conditions.