When discussing eating disorders or body image issues, men were previously vastly underrepresented in studies, making intervention a challenge. We’ve seen an increase in awareness of eating disorders impacting men, with 25 % of those with eating disorders identifying as male, but one common mental health crisis affecting many men still requires more awareness.
When we think about disordered eating or body-image issues, many people will manifest an image of thinness. But the opposite is true in cases of muscle dysphoria. Rooted in common perceptions of male attractiveness, muscle dysphoria may be harder to recognise due to its alignment with habits that appear healthy such as frequent exercise.
In this article we’ll explore what muscle dysphoria is, how fitness culture can feed into it, the warning signs to look out for, and how to support those affected. Whether you’re struggling yourself or worried about someone you know, raising awareness is the first step toward breaking the silence and promoting healthier relationships with fitness.
Table of contents
- What is muscle dysphoria?
- What causes muscle dysphoria?
- How does muscle dysphoria impact daily life?
- What are the signs of muscle dysphoria?
- How to seek help for muscle dysphoria
What is muscle dysphoria?
Muscle dysphoria is a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) first classified in 1997. Mainly impacting men, muscle dysphoria is different to regular weightlifting activity as it is classified by strong negative feelings and internal thought patterns. This can include feelings of dependence on bodybuilding, constant thoughts about perceived muscularity, dissatisfaction with appearance, and frequent appearance checking.
Sometimes referred to as ‘Bigorexia’ or ‘reverse anorexia’, it is not just associated with excessive exercise but can also involve behaviours around food common to eating disorders. Comorbidity between BDD and eating disorders is common, so this link is important to note when considering how we recognise muscle dysphoria.
What causes muscle dysphoria?
Like many forms of BDD or eating disorders, there is no one specific cause that can be linked to muscle dysphoria, especially as it can occur in those with any physique, despite being more often recorded among bodybuilding and weightlifting communities.
One of the main concerns linked to muscle dysphoria are cultural and media influences. This external pressure would explain increased prevalence in fitness communities and those consuming fitness content. Media exposure to ‘idealised’ male physiques has strong links to feelings of muscle dissatisfaction.
Other potential causes noted are:
- childhood teasing or bullying
- low self-esteem and social anxiety
- a perfectionist nature
How does muscle dysphoria impact daily life?
The impact of muscle dysphoria on daily life can vary with this form of BDD having its own associated risks. Areas of concern relate both to physical and mental wellbeing and are outlined below.
Physical impact
- Excessive exercise beyond safe limits which can cause injury.
- Use of anabolic steroids or supplements despite health risks.
- Strict, protein-heavy diets and rigid eating routines.
- Excessive weight cutting that can cause dangerous levels of dehydration.
Mental impact
- Anxiety and depression linked to body dissatisfaction.
- Sacrificing career, relationships, finances, and other interests for exercise.
- Compulsive mirror checking and body comparisons.
- Increased risk of developing suicidal ideation.
What are the signs of muscle dysphoria?
Whether your concern is for yourself or a loved one, some signs that a fitness regimen may be crossing the boundary into muscle dysphoria are:
- Skipping social events to maintain workout routines.
- Excessive time spent analysing muscle size or comparing with others.
- Visible signs of overtraining (chronic fatigue, injuries) going ignored.
- Distress if workouts are missed.
- Strong negative reactions to perceived imperfections.
- Constant thoughts about muscles and size throughout the day.
- Strong aversion to eating foods outside of a specific diet.
- Rapid muscle gain or weight changes, often accompanied by mood swings.
- Preoccupation with idealised bodies or masculinity.
- Feeling the need to hide the body or wear clothes that cover perceived imperfections.
- Using steroids or performance-enhancing drugs.
How to seek help for muscle dysphoria
If you or a loved one are concerned about muscle dysphoria or eating disorders, it’s important to talk to someone about how you’re feeling. You can also access online support groups for body dysmorphic disorder.
If you’re interested in talking to us about the options we have for support, you can contact us for a confidential call back below.
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