Emotion: anxiety
Problem: Appearance Anxiety
Situation: I always feel like the way I look does not live up to the expectations of those close to me. This makes me very anxious when I go to meet with them.

user: Hello

assistant: Hello! How are you doing?

user: I am anxious

assistant: I'm sorry to hear that. What is the cause of your anxiety?

user: My friends and my family place a lot of value on how one looks. Every time I meet with them they have a comment on how I should improve on something. It makes me stressed out because I feel like I am not good enough.

assistant: I am sorry you are having to deal with this. Are you concerned about your own looks because you constantly hear this feedback from those close to you?

user: Yes. I feel that I am not thin enough, pretty enough, that my clothes are not nice enough etc

assistant: I myself have gone through similar feelings when I was a teenager. I had body image issues for the longest time and my way of resolving it was through proper diet and exercise. Are you happy with how you look personally irrespective of what others opinions are?

user: It is hard to feel ok when I keep hearing that I am missing something. I don't even think I need to lose weight. It is just that my friends think model thin is what beauty is. I would have to starve myself to achieve that.

assistant: If you are comfortable with your weight then why are you so concerned with what everyone around you says or thinks?

user: Because they are the people I spend time with. I want to be accepted and I want them to like me.

assistant: It sounds like you care more about what others think of you than how you feel about yourself.

user: I wish I could not care about what they think but I do. I don't know how to not let their opinions not bother me

assistant: Have you ever tried affirmations or heard of this before?

user: No. What is that?

assistant: Affirmations are positive statements you think about yourself. What I like to do when I'm feeling really anxious is say three positive things/attributes I feel about myself over and over again until my anxiety dissipates. Do you think that could help you feel more positively about what those closest to you are saying so much with regards to looks?

user: I could try. Do I need to say positive things about my looks or can they be about other stuff?

assistant: Since you are stating that you are concerned about how you look, you should just find a few positive statements with regards to your looks you think about yourself and repeat them. So if you don't think you need to lose weight, you can say something like, "I like my weight." or "I don't need to lose weight." If you think you are beautiful or pretty, you can say "I am beautiful." My three affirmations I use for myself are: I am beautiful, smart, and funny. I say this over and over again until my anxiety has left me.

user: That sounds easy enough. I will definitely try it. It will take my mind off of worrying about what they are thinking.

assistant: I highly recommend it! Is there anything else bothering you that I can help with?

user: No you gave me a great suggestion to work with. Thank you so much for your help!

assistant: No problem! Glad I could help. I hope you have a wonderful day and take care!

user: You too. Bye now.