Abstract
Introduction: Body image refers to the figuration of the body in the mind, has a strong experiential component, and is permeated by subjective aspects. Objective: To analyze the subjective aspects of body image in women with fibromyalgia. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study. Participants were 16 women with a confirmed diagnosis for at least six months. The instrument used was the Human Figure Drawing (HFD), a projective technique for the exclusive useof psychologists, following the procedures established in the specialized literature. The examination of the material was carried out independently by two expert evaluators, who usedmeaning attribution criteria established in classic publications in psychological evaluation. Results: The following indicators in the participants’ drawings were highlighted: medium thickness and continuous line, small size, location in the fourth quadrant, presence of reinforcements and representations of joints, figures with static body posture, and simplified facial features. These indicators were interpreted as signs suggestive of passivity, insecurity, inhibition, feeling of inferiority, conflicts regarding difficulties in contact, propensity to take refuge in fantasy, idealization, regression, and attempts at omnipotent control, psychic rigidity, and devitalization. Therefore, the body image of the participants seemed to bedetermined by mental representations that include the body, but are not restricted to their biological dimensions or the physical limitations resulting from the symptomatic manifestations offibromyalgia. Conclusion: The participants’ body image had an inherently negative value since it was subjectively shaped by internalized and unconscious unfavorable concepts about themselves.
Highlights
Body image refers to the figuration of the body in the mind, has a strong experiential component, and is permeated by subjective aspects
The author was innovative in defining this concept, basically, as the figuration of the body in the mind. He added that body image starts its construction at the beginning of life; it is continuously reconstructed as a result of a complex process guided by the subject’s later bodily and psychic experiences
Body image can be qualified as an interface phenomenon, as it is representation and experience, at the same time[2]
Summary
Body image refers to the figuration of the body in the mind, has a strong experiential component, and is permeated by subjective aspects. The author was innovative in defining this concept, basically, as the figuration of the body in the mind He added that body image starts its construction at the beginning of life; it is continuously reconstructed as a result of a complex process guided by the subject’s later bodily and psychic experiences. From this perspective, body image can be qualified as an interface phenomenon, as it is representation and experience, at the same time[2]. In this line of reasoning, Schilder[1] proposed that some natural vicissitudes of human existence, such as physical pain, tend to affect body image, it would not be possible to determine a priori exactly how this would occur
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