Bigorexia or more commonly known as reverse anorexia or muscle dysmorphia is a disorder wherein the individual is consumed by thoughts of not being muscular enough and therefore participating in compensatory behaviors in order to build a more muscular body.
While it can occur to anyone, it is often seen in men. This type of disorder involves the individual to be unhappy with their appearance and perceive themselves to be smaller in size than they actually are. Other symptoms of this disorder are as follows:
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Being preoccupied with thoughts of body building for a large proportion of the day
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Checking oneself in the mirror repeatedly
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Spending hours working out and even going to the extent of prioritising workout schedule over social, occupational and personal life
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Refusing to eat in restaurants or at other people’s home as one may not know or be able to control the nutritional value of the food
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Using steroids and other dietary supplements to build muscle regularly despite knowing of the physical harm it can cause
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May not attend situations where the body may be exposed to others or attend such situations with increased feelings of anxiety
Bigorexia can have a significantly negative impact on one’s personal relationships as well as occupational life. Additionally, Bigorexia has a high comorbidity with other psychological disorders such as depression and substance-abuse. However, it may be hard to identify in the beginning as the individual might perceive themselves as merely health conscious. The presenting symptom of working out everyday may initially be perceived as healthy. Moreover, while there has been an increase in awareness surrounding this disorder, the research and complete understanding of the cause and treatment are still in the early stages.
Nevertheless, current research indicates that individuals who have been bullied in childhood regarding their size and appearance may make an individual more susceptible to developing Bigorexia. Furthermore the influence of media and societal expectations of how individuals should look may play a role too.
While one can practice control by limiting the number of hours spent in the gym, it is advisable to seek professional help. Professionals can aid in identifying the problem and provide therapy to help alleviate the distressing symptoms. For more information, please contact us at MindTribe.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Nataliya Bukalsariya is a counselor at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.