Close relationships can have a huge impact on how we see ourselves. A single negative comment can stay with you for years, making you question your self-worth. Positive influences can also transform such lingering narratives into deeper self-love.

While engaging in positive self-talk is important for your own well-being, a little support can go a long way. A study published in Psychology and psychotherapy: Theory, research and practice in September found that romantic partners can play a critical role in alleviating appearance-related anxiety, which is a risk factor for body dysmorphia.

“Appearance anxiety refers to excessive levels of anxiety about an individual’s overall appearance, preoccupation with perceived flaws, and behaviors such as controlling and camouflaging aspects of appearance,” the researchers explain.

Here are two signs that your partner is helping with your appearance anxiety, according to the study.

1. They offer consistent positive affirmation

Many participants explained that their partners helped them with their appearance anxiety through positive comments. A single compliment may feel fleeting, but a consistent stream of positive comments can fundamentally change the way you see yourself.

While some initially found compliments difficult to accept, hearing them regularly began to create what one participant described as “a bank of positive comments.” Over time, these statements began to challenge participants’ negative core beliefs about their appearance, serving as evidence that they were not true.

Julia, a participant from the study, describes how her partner “tells me how beautiful I am and how much he loves me for the way I am naturally. He makes me feel comfortable not having to put on make-up, not having to dress up. I can just be in my pajamas, and he’s still wonderful and wonderful to me.”

As a result of such support, participants reported feeling more confident, happy, relieved and even able to eat more.

Interesting, compliments on personality traits– such as kindness, intelligence or humor – had an even stronger impact on reducing appearance anxiety. Unlike appearance-focused affirmations, which can sometimes feel at odds with deep-seated insecurities, personality-based compliments align more closely with existing positive self-beliefs, making them easier to internalize.

When a partner shifts the focus away from physical appearance and reminds you of qualities that truly define you, it can subtly redirect your attention from perceived flaws to strengths you probably already value in yourself. This opens up more positive beliefs about yourself in the long run, which alleviates appearance anxiety.

2. They actively fight your anxiety with you

Many participants described how their partners actively help them navigate appearance-related anxiety. This means engaging in open conversations, challenging negative thought patterns, and encouraging healthier behaviors.

One of the main ways partners helped was by providing a safe space for participants to share their insecurities. Partners who listened without judgment and offered patient, empathetic responses made it easier for participants to express their concerns and begin to address them.

Some partners took it a step further by helping participants reframe their thoughts. A partner who lovingly challenges your insecurities doesn’t dismiss your feelings—they help you see the bigger picture and empower you to break free from harmful thought patterns.

One participant, Julia, describes how her partner has “given me that distance to my thoughts and allowed me to become stronger emotionally and to realize that what’s in my head isn’t necessarily true or right.”

Supportive partners also know when not to enable unhealthy behaviors, as they only feed into the cycle of anxious thoughts about one’s appearance.

“When we’re in malls, everything’s reflective, and he’ll see me looking behind him and he’ll just get in the way of my vision or he’ll be like, are you sure you want to do that? It gets you like thinking — you’re right, I’m enjoying myself right now. What if I go and look in the mirror and I don’t like what I see and then it ruins the whole experience?” says Emma, ​​a participant who feels comforted by her partner’s attempts to curb her appearance-controlling behavior.

While a partner’s support can be transformative, cultivating a healthy self-image ultimately starts from within. If you recognize these signs in your relationship, their role in helping you navigate uncertainty is a testament to their care and investment in your well-being.

Meanwhile, if you’re supporting a partner with appearance anxiety, know that your patience, understanding, and consistent kindness can have a ripple effect far beyond what you might realize.

A truly supportive relationship acts like a mirror, reflecting not only your outer beauty but the inner beauty you may not always see in yourself. When your partner affirms these qualities, they remind you that you are more than your perceived flaws—you are a multifaceted person worthy of love and acceptance, no matter what.

Does a preoccupation with your appearance cause you anxiety? Take this quiz to learn more: Body image questionnaire