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‘Bigorexia’ Is the Body Dysmorphia Men Can’t Talk About

Like anorexia, bigorexia is linked to body dysmorphia – a delusional obsession with perceived “flaws” in your own body shape. While anorexia is the constant push to be thin, bigorexia (or muscle dysmorphia) can be summarised as an obsessive concern about not being muscular and/or lean enough... Fitness obsession is a fundamental part of diet and wellness culture, where even the most seemingly-healthy personal goals can often hide unhealthy or unrealistic aesthetic aspirations – for example, reaching a particular body fat percentage. For men trying to carve and sculpt themselves into idealised shapes, diets like the paleo or keto are often seen as more “manly” for their (ridiculous) caveman…

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 What Is ‘Bigorexia’?

The quest for perfect pecs is so strong that psychiatrists now sometimes refer to it as “bigorexia,” a form of muscle dysmorphia exhibited mostly by men and characterized by excessive weight lifting, a preoccupation with not feeling muscular enough and a strict adherence to eating foods that lower weight and build muscle. The condition can also lead young men to become obsessed with their appearance, checking themselves in the mirror either constantly or not at all.

Articles of Interest

'Bigorexia' Is On The Rise. Here's What Parents Should Know

Although it can affect anyone, this lesser-known disorder commonly affects boys and young men.

At the Crossroads between Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorders-The Case of Bigorexia Nervosa

Bigorexia nervosa (BN) is a controversial nosological entity, considered either a feeding/eating disorder (FED) or a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Therapeutic interventions for patients with BN are still in the early phases of development, and no specific pharmacological treatment has yet been identified. Since it is similar to the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, cognitive behavioral therapy has been suggested as a useful intervention; however, it has not yet been validated in large-scale clinical trials.

Gym, eat, repeat: the shocking rise of muscle dysmorphia

The idealised male body has become bigger, bulkier and harder to achieve. So what drives a generation of young men to the all-consuming, often dangerous pursuit of perfection?

Muscle dysmorphia: current insights

Since 1997, there has been increasing research focusing on muscle dysmorphia, a condition underpinned by people’s beliefs that they have insufficient muscularity, in both the Western and non-Western medical and scientific communities. Much of this empirical interest has surveyed nonclinical samples, and there is limited understanding of people with the condition beyond knowledge about their characteristics. Much of the existing knowledge about people with the condition is unsurprising and inherent in the definition of the disorder, such as dissatisfaction with muscularity and adherence to muscle-building activities.

Muscle dysmorphia: One in 10 men in gyms believed to have 'bigorexia'

It's feared one in 10 men training in UK gyms could have a condition which can lead to depression, steroid abuse and even suicide. Muscle dysmorphia, which is also known as bigorexia, is an anxiety disorder which causes someone to see themselves as small, despite being big and muscular. The condition can affect men and women, but one expert suggested many cases go unreported. It is sometimes described as a kind of "reverse anorexia".

On the Hall

How in the world did I end up the only man in the eating disorder unit?

Recognizing and Treating “Bigorexia” in Clinical Practice

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) “consists of a distressing or impairing preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in appearance.” Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is “a condition underpinned by people’s beliefs that they have insufficient muscularity.

The Rise of Bigorexia: the Unachievable Quest for the Perfect Male Body

Public perception often holds that diseases like anorexia are a female issue, even though men suffer too. But what’s interesting, according to new research published by the University of Sydney, are the different ways body dissatisfaction shows in men.

‘Bigorexia’ Is Plaguing the Bodybuilding Community

“Bodybuilding is a sport anyone can do if they’re willing to commit to the hard work,” says Olympic class athlete and personal trainer Maik Wiedenbach. “Wanting to get bigger and better is normal in bodybuilding. You can do it and still be healthy.” The problem is, “people with muscle dysmorphia think about nothing else. They’ll do anything to get bigger and it ruins their lives.”