Male Body Image Struggles Are Real: What Noah Kahan’s Story Teaches Us
When people think about body image struggles, they often picture women.
But the truth is: men struggle with body image too—far more often than many people realize.
Recently, Noah Kahan opened up in his documentary about his experiences with body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and hating the way he looks. His honesty has resonated with many people because it highlights something we don’t talk about enough:
Body image struggles do not discriminate.
And for many men, these struggles go unseen, minimized, or misunderstood for years.
Male Body Image Struggles Are Often Hidden
Many men grow up receiving messages that they should:
“Just be confident”
Avoid talking about insecurities
Push through emotional pain privately
Because of this, body image concerns in men are often dismissed as:
Wanting to “get in shape”
Being overly focused on fitness
Having low confidence
Normal insecurity
But body image struggles can run much deeper than that.
They may look like:
Constantly thinking about weight, muscle tone, or specific body parts
Avoiding photos, mirrors, intimacy, or certain clothes
Obsessive exercise or rigid food rules
Cycles of restriction, bingeing, or “earning” food
Feeling that no amount of change is ever enough
Body Image Lives in the Brain, Not in Appearance
One of the most painful parts of body image struggles is that they are mostly not solved by looking different.
You can:
Lose weight
Gain muscle
Receive compliments
Be “traditionally” attractive as defined by societal beauty standards
…and still hate what you see.
That’s because body image is not simply about how your body looks.
Body image is the internal relationship you have with your body—shaped by your brain, emotions, past experiences, beliefs, and nervous system.
This is why someone can look the exact same on two different days and feel completely different about their appearance.
Why Men Often Don’t Realize They’re Struggling With Body Image
Many men don’t identify their experience as body image distress because it may be masked by culturally praised behaviors like:
“Discipline” around food
Intense fitness routines
“Health” obsession
Desire to be lean/muscular
Self-criticism framed as motivation
But when your thoughts about your body:
Consume significant mental energy
Dictate your mood
Affect relationships or social life
Lead to shame, avoidance, or compulsive behaviors
…it may be more than insecurity.
It may be body image distress, body dysmorphia, or an eating disorder.
Why Visibility Can Make Body Image Worse
Another powerful theme in Noah Kahan’s story is how being seen amplified his body image struggles.
While most people are not public figures, many clients I work with relate to this deeply.
Body image distress often intensifies when someone feels:
Hyper-visible
Judged
Compared to others
Evaluated socially or professionally
Pressured to “look a certain way”
For some, simply existing in photos, at events, on dating apps, or in work settings can trigger significant shame.
Healing Male Body Image Requires More Than “Confidence”
Improving body image is not about forcing yourself to love your appearance overnight.
And it is not about achieving the “perfect” body.
Healing often involves:
Understanding the emotional roots of body shame
Reducing body checking and avoidance behaviors
Challenging rigid beliefs about worth and appearance
Processing shame, trauma, or past bullying
Learning to relate to your body with more neutrality and compassion
Final Thoughts
If you related to Noah Kahan’s story, know this:
You do not have to be consumed by thoughts about your body for the rest of your life.
Body image struggles in men are real.
They are valid.
And they are treatable.
You deserve support—even if part of you believes your struggle “isn’t serious enough.”
Looking for a body image therapist in New York?
If body image struggles, disordered eating, or self-criticism are affecting your life, therapy can help you build a healthier relationship with your body and yourself.
About the Author
Alison Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Authentically You Therapy, where she specializes in body image healing, anxiety, eating disorders, and body-focused repetitive behaviors. Her work is rooted in body-positive values and neurodivergent affirming care. Alison is also the founder of Aid by Ali, a platform providing mental health resources for individuals experiencing hair loss. She is passionate about helping people feel safe to be their authentic self.
