GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS

EMBRACING WELLNESS Navigating Dysmorphia in Female Bodybuilders

“I started seeing my body the way a judge would whenever I looked in the mirror,” says YESSINE GRIFFIN, ‘21. “I imagined them noticing that my shoulders were too wide and that my waist wasn’t small enough.” As a competitive bodybuilder on the national level, Yessine was used to judges being critical of her physique. Each competition, she would walk on stage, conduct her poses in the most flattering manner and prepare for the judgments about her presentation. Everything from the symmetry of her figure and the fit of her swimsuit to the muscular nature of her frame and the health of her body was analyzed. While Yessine expected to be judged on her body in those moments, she never anticipated the lasting effects it would have on her mental health.

“I noticed that I was struggling with my perception of my body, and I had to take a step back to assess how the culture of bodybuilding was impacting me,” says Yessine. “I began realizing that many of the women who competed with me drastically altered their diet, took medications that should be prescribed for medical use only to alter their hormones and used steroids to be ranked higher in competitions.” Already enrolled in SEU’s master’s in counseling psychology program, Yessine’s education enabled her to recognize these harmful effects of self-objectification within this community. After graduating, Yessine continued her studies by pursuing a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology from SEU. She used her dissertation to examine the relationship between self-objectification and muscle dysmorphia among female bodybuilders and recreational lifters.

“I have two young children, and even as small as they are, I see how much they look up to me and mimic everything I do,” says Yessine. “That’s why body acceptance is so important. Your body houses your organs and helps you get around. We need to start framing our thoughts about our bodies differently.” Yessine plans on using her education to help others overcome body dysmorphia in all communities.

Counseling Services Center

Saint Elizabeth University prioritizes all aspects of student health, both physical and mental. To ensure we continuously support our students in and out of the classroom, SEU’s Counseling Services Center offers a variety of programs designed to promote mental wellness.

The Center is staffed by a licensed mental health professional who is well-equipped to guide students through adjusting to college life, managing anxiety, dealing with depression, handling substance abuse issues and more. Individual counseling sessions come without cost to students and promote a holistic approach to their education. In addition to one-on-one sessions, the Counseling Services Center hosts numerous therapeutic activities, including therapy dog visits, Krav Maga for self-defense, gardening as therapy, drum circles to foster a sense of community among participants, art as therapy and presentations on topics such as suicide awareness, dating violence and stress management.