Use these CBT worksheets to identify appearance-related avoidance, spot safety behaviours, and plan realistic steps towards situations that have started to feel difficult. The module is especially relevant for adults and older teenagers working on body image anxiety, appearance concerns, body dysmorphic worries, or fear of being judged because of how they look.
This Avoidance and Safety Behaviours Body Image PDF Guide focuses on recognising the situations, routines and coping habits that can keep appearance anxiety going. It gives clear prompts for exploring avoidance behaviours such as avoiding photos, shopping, mirrors, dating, swimming, exercise, social events or self-care, as well as safety behaviours such as hiding body parts, choosing certain clothes, using make-up to feel able to go out, sitting in dim lighting or editing images before sharing them.
The guide explains how avoidance can bring short-term relief while also creating longer-term costs, including missed experiences, reduced confidence, low mood, guilt and fears that remain untested. Reflective questions encourage users to consider the impact on relationships, work, study, everyday activities and wellbeing, with a simple visual cycle showing how avoidance and safety behaviours can maintain overconcern about appearance.
Practical worksheets support goal setting by helping users list current avoidance patterns and turn them into manageable approach goals. There is space to create a gradual stepladder plan or to design a more direct behavioural experiment, depending on what feels appropriate. This downloadable PDF may be useful in CBT sessions, counselling, mental health support, guided self-help or home reflection for adults and older teenagers working on body image distress, appearance preoccupation, social anxiety about looks or body dysmorphic disorder related concerns. View, download or print the guide to support structured, realistic practice between sessions.
