Expert Natasha Devon answers your questions

We've now received over 2,500 unfiltered selfies and #SelfieEsteem has been trending across the UK this week. To thank you all, we invited body confidence expert Natasha Devon to answer your questions in a live Q&A from ITV this morning, Thursday 23 April.

Natasha's advice was as inspiring and insightful as ever, so we've included her answers below for those of you who may have missed the chat. A big thank you to Natasha for all her help and enthusiasm with #SelfieEsteem.

Hi, my son is eleven - he hates the way he looks, often resulting in him hurting himself due to the bullies taking mickey out of him. It's got so bad when I took him to hairdressers the other day he doesn't even look up at himself due to the mirror being there . It's heart-breaking.

Natasha: Sometimes the solution to body image worries is to draw attention away from the body. Make sure you compliment your son when he does something kind or brave or when he says something witty or insightful. It's the small things we do every day that are the most powerful in shaping how children feel about themselves. So if you regularly ask your son what he thinks, even if it's just commenting on a TV show, it's a way of letting him know that you're open to chatting about anything that might be worrying him. Try and find an activity that you can do together that he really enjoys, to give him an escape from his worries. Letting him teach you something (for example how to play a video game) - it's a brilliant way to boost his confidence. I really hope that helps x

Hi, I'd like to feel more confident, but I don't know how to?

Natasha: Just like any other skill, confidence is a matter of practice. So, visualise a version of yourself that is as confident as you would like to be - imagine how he stands, speaks and dresses. Practise standing and speaking as the confident version of yourself in your own home first and you will find it easier to be this version of you in the outside world. Self-esteem is just like fitness - some people might be more fit than others, but we can all work to achieve greater levels than what we currently have. Good luck! x

I'm probably not the best person for this as I'm 51, size 14, not perfect, and am perfectly happy how I am. I have no interest in being a size 10, I wear very little make-up, never get my nails done (would bore me to tears). So put a grin on your face, find a pub celebrating St. George's Day, and go have some fun!

Natasha: Thank you so much for sharing that. I think your positive attitude is very inspiring and I hope other people read what you have written. I think there is a lot of truth in what you say about looking back on your life and wishing you'd worried less about your looks! Happy St. George's Day! x

I'm 20 years old and suffer from very low self-esteem. Since having my little boy I really struggle to make friends because of feeling fat and ugly and worthless. Is there anything I can do to build self-worth?

Natasha: First of all, your body is clearly amazing because it made your little boy. So congratulations on having a brilliant body! Lots of women struggle to accept their new identity when their shape changes, so I would recommend going shopping (if you can) to find some new clothes that you feel comfortable in. I would also advise finding an online forum because there will be lots of other women feeling exactly how you do. There might be a mums coffee morning in your local area and this could be an excellent way for you to socialise with other people who understand exactly how you feel. But also remember that your friends love you for who you are and not what you look like. And to your little boy you will always be a superhero! x

I was bullied when I was 11 and although it didn't last very long because I spoke out, their words have had a lasting effect. I just turned 18 and I still shy away from doing certain things because I now constantly worry what people think of me. Is there any way I can get restore this self-confidence that I've lost?

Natasha: There are a few things to bear in mind here. The bullying might not have lasted for a long time, but it happened at a really crucial point in your development and that's why the words have stayed with you The first thing to know is that bullies have really low self-esteem too, which is why they behave in the way they do. Whatever was said, it was a reflection of their feelings and wasn't because there's anything 'wrong' with you. Use your adult brain and perspective to give your 11-year-old self a big hug and tell her it's not her fault. Once you've put the past to bed, try asking your friends and family what they like most about you. You could even ask them to write down your best quality on a piece of paper and carry it with you so that if you have a wobble, you can be reassured that whatever happened when you were younger, you are valuable and loved now. x

I'd like to know if there's any way I can stop hating everything about myself and feeling worthless? I'm 32 and have felt like this since I was bullied in high school. It's really bad at the moment, am on waiting list for CBT but who knows how long I'll be waiting. Please help!

Natasha: It sounds as though you have got into negative patterns of thought and behaviour and these can be really difficult to break. I think CBT would be a really good solution for you, but as you say the waiting list can be long. In the meantime hereare a few simple CBT techniques you can try. If there is a particular place or time of day where you feel most negative, try to take yourself out of that familiar situation and break the cycle. For example, if you often find yourself sitting in front of the TV of an evening feeling a bit depressed, try going for a walk. This stops your brain automatically associating being in front of the TV with feeling negative. You could also try positive affirmations; every day when you're brushing your teeth, repeat a mantra to yourself, such as 'I am good enough' - this helps to re-programme your mind into more positive ways of thinking. It takes 3 months to break an old habit and replace it with a new one. So, if you make small changes like these, after 3 months you should find that you're starting to think and feel differently. x

Any tips for break outs? I can't seem to get rid of them!

Natasha: Quite often it's not what you put on your skin, but what you put into your body that is the problem. Acne and eczema can be caused by mild allergies to foods. Lots of people find cutting out meat and dairy for a while to be helpful. Being vegan doesn't work for everyone, but it's definitely a good idea to increase your fruit, vegetable and water intake. In terms of what you put on your skin - in my experience - the more natural, the better. Try to avoid chemicals and you could even try making your own skin products. You can use cheap, easy to find ingredients, like honey and porridge oats, with lots of accessible recipes online. x

I'm told I'm pretty but I can't see it. I am fat and my clothes are awful. They never fit. I want to hold my head high and say YES I AM BEAUTIFUL, yes I am a strong confident woman. Yes I am worthy of being loved. But outward appearance is stronger than how I feel inside.

Natasha: Neuroscientists have used brain scanners to prove that we literally look at ourselves in a different way than we look at anyone else, using a totally different part of the brain. That's why these 'flaws' that we believe we have are mostly invisible to the outside world. I think there's power in just knowing that. I'd also say that even on a really superficial level, how attractive you are is tied up in invisible qualities that you can't see in a selfie. How you stand, speak, smell and how much you smile are powerful motivators in how other people see you. So just thinking positively makes you more beautiful - fact! To quote Baz Luhrmann, "worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum". I know it's difficult, but if you focus on having fun, how you look suddenly seems so much less important. Good luck! x