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  1. DEFINITION—a body image disturbance arises when a person is unable to accept the body as is and to adapt to it; a conflict develops between the body as it actually is and the body that is pictured mentally—that is, the ideal self.
  2. ANALYSIS/NURSING DIAGNOSIS: body image disturbance may be related to:
    1. Sensation of size change due to obesity, pregnancy, weight loss.
    2. Feelings of being dirty—may be imaginary due to hallucinogenic drugs, psychoses.
    3. Dual change of body structure and function due to trauma, amputation, stroke, etc.
    4. Progressive deformities due to chronic illness, burns, arthritis.
    5. Loss of body boundaries and depersonalization due to sensory deprivation, such as blindness, immobility, fatigue, stress, anesthesia. May also be due to psychoses or hallucinogenic drugs.
  3. ASSESSMENT: see Table 10-6. Body Image Development and Disturbance Throughout the Life Cycle: Assessment .