Eating Disorders: Body Disorientation Increases in Summer

Tank tops, swimsuits, shorts in the summer—the more you undress, the more you can amplify body image issues, which are the root of many eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, which affect, according to estimates, over 3 million people in Italy. This discomfort can be addressed in all seasons thanks to the so-called

Mirror therapy

The Ananke Foundation—a nonprofit organization that promotes independent clinical research with the support of private donations—has developed and reworked this methodology as part of its scientific projects. The clinical application of Mirror Therapy is an integral part of the therapeutic programs promoted by the Foundation itself, which boasts many years of experience in treating eating disorders and collaborates with dedicated multidisciplinary teams. The model used, in the Italian version developed by Laura Dalla Ragione , has helped hundreds of patients improve their relationship with their bodies, restoring the physical dimension to its functional, emotional, and identity-building role.

The body

"The body, in its actual, imagined, or desired dimensions, can represent both the origin and the endpoint of many forms of psychological distress," explains Alessandro Raggi, psychotherapist and Vice President of the Ananke Foundation. "When a person's internal self-image conflicts with their perceived or idealized physical appearance, feelings of inadequacy and loss of self-esteem can emerge, ultimately disrupting the continuity of their personal identity. In eating and nutrition disorders, distorted body perception and a difficult relationship with their image are among the most deeply rooted and resistant to change."

Mirror Therapy, recognized as one of the most effective approaches in treating body dysmorphia, helps reintegrate a global awareness of the body and its function, overcoming aesthetic judgment and reconnecting to a deeper dimension of bodily identity.

What is body dysmorphia?

Body dysperception refers to a distorted image of one's body, which conflicts with objective reality and can lead to significant personal dissatisfaction, social withdrawal, severe discomfort, and a lack of self-awareness. "The body presents some fundamental characteristics," Raggi explains, "it is visible, and therefore subject to both realistic and idealized gaze; it is verifiable, since everyone can observe its changes over time; it is a place of confrontation and emotional expression, a vehicle for recognition, and an essential tool in building a self-image. These very aspects, however, become a source of intense anguish and profound insecurity in patients with eating disorders."

Mirror Therapy has proven to be an effective tool for modifying dysfunctional perceptions of body weight and shape. "It involves systematic mirror exposure (without the usual 'commercial' filters to slim or alter the figure) in which patients are instructed and supported in a nonjudgmental description of their body and its component parts," says Laura Dalla Ragione, Scientific Director of the DCA Network at Local Health Authority 1 in Umbria and a lecturer at the Campus Biomedico in Rome, who has developed a modified version of the technique in Italy. The protocol involves several sessions in which, gradually, the patient is helped, through the use of their own reflected image, to reflect on the various body parts with reference to what they see and their functionality, gradually focusing on the boundaries of the different areas and their integration, in a nonjudgmental manner."

While Mirror Therapy doesn't always allow for the remission of altered self-perception, it promotes contact and the progressive management of the waxing and waning of experienced emotions, until the emotional surges lose their pathogenic power. The goal is to help patients avoid harsh self-judgments. This approach is helpful for those who need to address their internal struggles and build a fulfilling relationship with their physical body.