The psychologist explained the reasons for the perception of excess weight as normal

Denial of excess weight is a mental reaction that blocks motivation for change and prevents you from focusing on health. Ekaterina Bulgakova, Associate Professor of the Department of Labor Psychology and Psychological Counseling at the State University of Education, told about this on April 16.

"The phenomenon of body image distortion combined with the mechanism of psychological defense — denial — is not a whim or a household self-deception, but a complex reaction of the psyche that seeks to preserve the integrity of the individual in the face of disturbing information," the expert said in an interview with <url>.

According to Bulgakova, weight gain occurs gradually, and the brain begins to perceive the new state as normal, ceasing to consider changes dangerous. A person looks in the mirror, but his perception is distorted by the inner attitude that he has always been like this. In addition, comparing himself with those who, in his opinion, have an even worse situation helps to reduce anxiety and maintain self-esteem. However, this method of psychological protection deprives motivation for change. It can be psychologically painful to admit a problem and take control of it, so people often prefer to discount the situation by explaining it with external reasons — "broad bones", stress or hormonal disruptions.

Bulgakova noted that in such a situation it is worth changing the mindset and placing accents differently.

"Shift the focus from aesthetics to health: not "I'm fat," but "it's hard for me to climb the stairs, my blood pressure is jumping, and I'm short of breath." Body signals are more honest than mirrors. Use external reference points: photos, measurements, and a doctor's consultation provide objective feedback that the psyche cannot "edit."

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Psychologist, fire therapist Tatiana Smirnova said on April 15 that the feeling of constant lack of resources is not related to greed, but to psychological mechanisms, including the habit of good things, comparison with others and inner anxiety. According to her, the desire to have more is often associated with inner emptiness, lack of self-worth and an attempt to compensate for this through material achievements. An additional factor is anxiety: the desire to accumulate resources is often perceived as a way to protect oneself from uncertainty.

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