Muscle Dysmorphia

Muscle DYSMORPHIA

March 27, 2007

Muscle Dysmorphia is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that he or she is not muscular enough. Those who suffer from muscle dysmorphia tend to hold delusions that they are "skinny" or "too small" but are often above average in musculature. (Wikipedia 2007)

Muscle Dysmorphia can cause people to:

• Constantly examine themselves in a mirror

• Become distressed if they miss a workout session

• Take potentially dangerous anabolic steroids

• Neglect jobs, relationships, or family because of excessive exercising

• Have delusions of being underweight or below average in musculature.

(Muscle Dysmorphia 2004)

To be diagnosed as muscle dysmorphic, the person must exhibit symptoms of the type and degree outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV for body dysmorphic disorder, and not merely appear over-interested in physique or engage in behaviors other people would find unwise. Muscle Dysmorphia is fairly rare and simple obsession with working out or bodybuilding does not fit the criteria of a body dysmorphic disorder (Olivardia 2000).

Some researchers believe that the disorder is tied to perceptions that are picked up in child of large muscular bodies found in cartoon characters, dolls, or action figures. This is also portrayed in professional athletes who have gotten more muscular over time, and perceptions picked up by both young boys and girls carry over into adolescence and make them believe their bodies are small or frail even when they may have good muscle structure. “Curing” someone with this condition is not easy as the individual has a real fear of becoming weak if they stop working out, or in extreme cases stopping the use of steroids. For those that do seek treatment, the most promising method includes receiving simultaneous treatment from a sports medicine physician and counselor who works with athletes (Muscle Dysmorphia 2004).

One of the worst problems associated...