Muscle Dysmorphia

Muscle Dysmorphia is a specific type of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). It's a mental health condition characterised by a person's pathological preoccupation with the idea that their body is not muscular enough or is too small and underdeveloped. This persistent and intrusive thought process can lead to significant distress and impairment in daily life.

Key Characteristics

• Obsessive preoccupation: Individuals with Muscle Dysmorphia are consumed by thoughts about their muscularity and physique, often perceiving themselves as much smaller or weaker than they actually are. 

• Compulsive behaviours: The obsession leads to a range of compulsive behaviours aimed at increasing muscle mass. 

These can include:

Excessive and rigid weightlifting: Spending hours at the gym, even when injured or sick, and becoming distressed if a workout is missed.

Strict and potentially harmful diets: Following extreme dietary regimes, often involving high protein intake and supplement use, to build muscle.

Abuse of anabolic steroids: Using performance-enhancing drugs to achieve a desired physique, despite the known health risks.

Avoiding social situations: Withdrawing from social activities, especially those where their body might be seen, due to shame or anxiety.

Muscle Dysmorphia is sometimes colloquially referred to as "bigorexia" or "reverse anorexia" because the person is focused on getting bigger and more muscular, rather than smaller. It's a serious condition that can have severe physical and psychological consequences, and it often co-occurs with other mental health issues like anxiety and depression.