The impacts of perceptions and unconscious bias

As many of you may know, I was diagnosed with Epilepsy in June 2024. With this recent diagnosis and multiple medication changes, there have been a few changes to my image and how I appear. This has led to me being more self-conscious, aware of others' assumptions and a decline in my body image.

These shifts in my body image comes from weight increases and hair loss. Changes and increase to prednisone and cortisol medications have led to weight increases. Also, the anti-seizure medication, and possibly stress on my body from the seizure has led to hair loss.

My hair loss has had a significant, if not more of an impact on my body image. It seems like such a superficial thing, yet my hair reflects who I am and has been a constant throughout my life. All my life, I've had lots of (thin) hair which, while difficult at times, has looked good and I've been happy with it. Yet, over the past six months, it has thinned significantly. Early last year, my hair cut was great and looked good, because I had lots of hair with plenty of volume. Yet after the seizure it started thinning, therefore, I had to change the style, so it wasn't as obvious. I've had to do this yet again, as it's getting quite thin. I also can't risk dying it, as it may result in more hair falling out, so my greys are showing more (not that I'm so worried about them). While lots of people have commented on how good my hair looks, this is thanks to my hairdresser who has made it a 'messy' style which hides the thin and balding areas. Further, it can take a number of months or more, for the hair to start growing back and this depends on whether the hair follicles have to repair themselves. All of this impacts my sense of self, body image and emotional state.

Further, the weight gain impacts my body image as I've had weight issues since I was six years old due to cortisol and other medications. I spent 'decades' trying different diets, exercising and so on, and it wasn't until I stopped trying and came to accept myself, how I looked and reduced my stress and so on, that I was able to lose the weight. I was happy with my weight, how I looked and more. Yet, the weight I've now put back on, has taken me back to where I was six to eight years ago.

I am now more self-conscious about my looks and appearance and how people may perceive me, particularly due to the weight increase over a short period of time. For this reason, I haven't updated my profile images since this has occurred.

These assumptions and perceptions can lead to unconscious bias.

Unconscious bias - it's role and strategies for challenging harmful bias

Every day, the brain processes millions of pieces of information per second. Our unconscious bias is a mental shortcut to aid our decision-making including our flight or fight response.

While unconscious bias has its place, it can also be harmful. Unconscious bias leads to perceptions and stereotypes which can be harmful. For example, seeing someone who may be carrying some weight and thinking 'oh, their fat and must eat junk food'. You may even see them eating something unhealthy and think 'no wonder they are that size'. Yet, it may be one of the rare occasions they treat themselves. Ultimately, you don't know the individual experiences, conditions and other issues which may lead them to appear this way.

Further, unconscious bias is reflected in societies expectations of how we look and are seen, which is harmful and unattainable.

The following suggestions won't necessarily eliminate bias, but perhaps, it can create awareness and help you to reflect on them.

Accept that everyone has unconscious bias and it's not all bad, as they have a place. It's about recognising when these biases are harmful and create exclusion.

Practice mindfulness:

• Mindfulness helps you to become more conscious about your thoughts and creates opportunities to recognise, reflect and question those thoughts and assumptions.
• Apologise if you get it wrong, we can only deal with bias if were honest and admit our mistakes.
• Recognise that everyone’s “normal” isn’t the same as yours, so avoid judging others.

Speak out and shine a light where you hear and observe bias –consider asking the person being biased, at the time or later (where safe to) to ask why they made the assumption or remark. This helps to create awareness and is an opportunity to create awareness and discuss bias.

Take the time to think about your actions:

• Automatic or quick actions are often based on your 'default' settings or bias. So, taking the time to think about your actions can help to you to reflect and consider the basis for your decision or thought.
• Question your first impressions and reactions to others.

Improve your awareness around what unconscious bias means:

• Create time and opportunities to engage with people outside your normal (affinity) group. This can create opportunities to get to know others and shift these perceptions you may have. The more we learn about people, the more conscious we can be.
• Watch shows or movies and read books or articles that are different to your norm. Consider reading a topic that challenges your views or by a different author.

Create opportunities for discussion

• Do you have experienced or observed the impacts of bias, assumptions and perspectives? Would you like to share these and the impacts?
• How have you challenged your or others bias?
• Do you have any strategies for challenging bias?