Can You Really Find ANSWERING THE AGE-OLD QUESTION - WHAT IS SELF-IMAGE?

Answering the age-old question - What is self-image?

Self-image has been scrutinized by psychologists and philosophers for centuries. Even though there are many arguments about what exactly self-image is, people will agree that self-image has a lot to do with how a person feels about themselves. Some would say that self-image means how a person sees himself in the world. What a person does on a daily basis - their job, the way they treat others, how attractive they are to others - depends on their self-image. Some people have positive self-esteem, some don't. It is believed that people who have positive self-esteem have been told they are good or useful. Those who are constantly told that they are not good or useful have a negative perception of themselves.

This leads to another definition of self-image which is how other people see a person. If others don't appreciate someone's company, they can develop a poor self-image. If other people do not find a person attracted, the person may suffer from a poor self-image. People often put too much emphasis on what other people think of them. It is important to remember that your self-image will change throughout your life. They start to trust less what others think of them as they grow older and find hobbies and social groups that embrace them. Their perception changes as they become more educated. Learning a skill or learning more about the world can have a positive impact on a person's self-esteem.

Sometimes, however, a person needs guidance in developing a positive self-image. This is very common in women and adolescents. Fashion magazines show perfect women when in reality they are not. Some women feel that they cannot meet these expectations and become depressed. Teens feel the same way when they compare themselves to other members of their peer group. Unrealistic comparisons like these are dangerous. They can lead to eating disorders, disruptive behavior, and possibly drug or alcohol abuse. Talking with a therapist can sometimes make someone realize that they don't have to compare themselves to others.

Their self-image improves and they can lead happy lives. Self-image must be nurtured. Everyone sometimes feels less than perfect. But most people recover and get on with their lives. But some people cannot let go of these bad feelings that easily. Their self-image is so unrealistic that they make themselves sick and need professional help and guidance in order to gain the strength to overcome these pearly feelings.