Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition characterized by an obsession with a perceived defect in physical appearance. “When we talk about body-image issues in dancers, we often talk about ‘I’m fat’ or ‘I don’t like my body’ as this sort of generalized thing—BDD has to be something very specific,” she explains.

Nadine Kaslow, a psychologist who works with dancers at Atlanta Ballet, offers tips for creating a more body-positive studio experience: 1. Ditch the Mirrors. Getty Images Kaslow recommends that teachers lead class with the mirrors covered once in a while. If this isn’t possible, try taking a break from constantly assessing your reflection throughout class. […]

Whether you’re using social media for promotional or personal purposes, it could be having a negative impact on your mental health—or your dancing. Nadine Kaslow, resident psychologist at Atlanta Ballet, tells dancers to watch out for these red flags: You spend all your free time on social media. If you find yourself on your phone […]

A dancer once contacted me because he was devastated after walking in on his girlfriend with another man. While he was distressed about ending the relationship, he was most concerned about a major performance coming up. They had to dance a romantic pas de deux. When I met with them together, she was afraid he […]

When Dance Magazine surveyed our readers last summer, 81 percent said the field wasn’t doing enough to support mental health. We sat down with four mental health professionals, each with more than a decade of experience working with dancers, to find out their thoughts on how mental health is being addressed in the dance community […]

Simone Messmer was 19 the first time she used cocaine. She was at another company’s gala when someone pulled out a bag of the white powder. There, at the coat check counter, party guests took turns snorting the drug. “I was hesitant, but at the time I was willing to try anything once,” she says. […]