Appearance Obsession: Learning to Love the Way You Look (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Ladies and gentleman, Miss America of 1980 has just been born..." (more)
Key Phrases: plastic surgery candidates, appearance obsession, cultural beauty ideals (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Physical attractiveness is only a distant relative to self-esteem, yet our opinion of ourselves and others may be based on the way we look. Trying to measure up to the impossible standards of the media makes us insecure and can lead to depression and other serious health problems. It can even damage our relationships. Here psychologist Joni E. Johnston shows us how we become self-conscious about our looks from an early age and develop an adversarial relationship with our bodies. This well-researched book offers crucial help to men, women, and teenagers, showing how to develop and maintain positive self-esteem, social esteem, and healthy body image.

About the Author

Joni E. Johnston, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and author of three nonfiction books, including Appearance Obsession: Learning to Love the Way You Look, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Psychology, and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Controlling Anxiety. A former columnist for Woman's World, she also hosted and produced State of Mind, a mental health television show sponsored by UCSD-TV

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Health Communications (February 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558742700
• ISBN-13: 978-1558742703
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #767,973 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that really woke me up!, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

For over 35 years, I have hated the way I look. When I was younger and thinner, I didn't think I was pretty or thin enough. As I matured, and gained some weight and facial lines, I despaired. I have spent more time and energy thinking about, despairing, berating myself, and trying to figure out my next move (to make myself prettier, thinner) than I have spent on any other aspect of my life.

This book really woke me up and made me realize how my obsession with my appearance has been controlling my life. I saw myself in all the examples - and finally started laughing! For the first time in my life, I am laughing at this ridiculous obsession, recognizing it as a horrible waste of my time, and moving on with my life.

My aim now is to be healthy and strong, to live to a nice old age, and enjoy my family and friends.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Readable, educational, comforting., April 21, 1998

By A Customer

As a therapist, I have used this book in running workshops with college aged women. There is much information available in Johnston's book which is very readable, educational and comforting. She offers her own perspective as a woman living in a society in which "every day is a walking Miss America contest". Helpful checklists encourage readers to get in touch with their own level of discomfort with body image issues. Best of all, Johnston gives some practical advice for minimizing the impact that the media and other sources of appearance obsession has on us. By the way, I have used parts of her book in workshops for college men who also deal (albeit quietly) with similar issues.

21 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Appearance Obsession : Learning to Love the Way You Look, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

I'm afraid that I couldn't get past the first 3 chapters. This is not a book for women who are truly overweight. This is more of a book for those women who really do look good but just can't see it.

I am overweight, and people who say you need to learn to love the way you look no matter what you look like, have never had a significant weight problem.