Sometimes called muscle dysmorphia or reverse anorexia this condition is coming under greater scrutiny as more and more men strive for physical perfection but never believe it has been achieved. Work and relationships may suffer as this ultimately destructive lifestyle brings nothing but emptiness and disillusion. Bigorexia (muscular dysmorphia) is now affecting hundreds of thousands of men. For some men muscle development is such a complete preoccupation that they will miss important events, continue training through pain or broken bones, even lose their job rather than interrupt their physical development schedule. Curiously, these same men are not in love with their bodies. Despite a well developed physique they are unlikely to show it off and will shy away from situations that expose their bodies.

The causes are not known but two key ideas revolve around bigorexia as a form of obsessive compulsive behavior and secondly, the effect of the media putting the same type of pressure on men to conform to an ideal shape as has been the case with women for years.

The main characteristic

The main characteristic of bigorexia is the thought that no matter how hard you try your body is never muscular enough. The condition is recognized as more common with men although some women body builders have also been reported with similar symptoms. Most men with bigorexia are weight lifters, but this does not mean that most weight lifters are bigorexic. Compared to normal weightlifters who report spending up to 40 minutes a day thinking about body development, men with bigorexia report being preoccupied 5 or more hours a day thinking their bodies are under-developed.

With the increase in gymnasium provision and attendance there is some speculation that this alone accounts for increased awareness of physical imperfection in men and a quest to attain the perfect body. Conservative estimates put bigorexia as affecting hundreds of thousands of men.

Bigorexia can cause people to:

  • Constantly examine themselves in front of a mirror.
  • Become distressed if they miss a workout session.
  • Become frustrated if they do not receive enough protein per day.
  • Take potentially dangerous anabolic steroids and hormones.
  • Neglect jobs, relationships, or family to spend more time in the gyms.
  • Have delusions of being underweight or below average in musculature.

The consequences of muscle dysmorphia are physical and emotional. People often avoid public situations because they feel embarrassed from being “too small.” Their work and personal relationships suffer because they build their lives around the gym and their exercise routine.

Many people with this disorder resist getting treatment, claiming that they are content the way they are. Some admit they have a fear of becoming weak if they give up exercise and/or drugs. About half of all people with muscle dysmorphia disorder refuse help and continue their unhealthy practices. For those that do seek treatment, the most promising method includes receiving simultaneous treatment from a sports medicine physician and athlete counselors.

People with MDD can’t or will not stop their excessive exercise even when they are injured. If they abuse steroids in service of building bulk, they will not give up this unhealthy practice even when they fully understand the risks involved.

Strength trainers that suffer from “Reverse Anorexia” or Bigorexia have poorer quality of life and a higher rate of substance abuse. According to different psychiatrists, MDD patients have a high tendency of attempt suicide.

If you suffer from this disorder or if you know somebody who does, the best place to start is with an evaluation by a physician.

Sources: Ripped Corner, Mens Health

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