**9. Conclusion**

It can be challenging for anyone to appreciate his/her external and internal beauty, but this is even more difficult for individuals who struggle with eating disorders. Photo-shopped media images bombard us and set up unobtainable expectations. Negative comments from others can affect body-image and self-esteem. Likewise attention that pushes individuals, especially women, to be seen as objects rather than whole vulnerable humans can affect sense of self and also perpetuate trauma. Healthcare practitioners and all humans need to consider how to encourage self-compassion and improve self-esteem. We need to help others see their own beauty and we need to recognize it in ourselves.
