What is muscle dysmorphia?

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Muscle dysmorphia, also known as bigorexia, is a disorder of the obsessive-compulsive class. Muscle dysmorphia is a disorder where the victim, generally male, is obsessed with becoming bigger, stronger, and more muscular. To learn more about the disorder, visit Muscle Dysmorphia and Wikipedia. For two articles about this mental illness, go to Find Articles and Addictions. Muscle dysmorphia is also classified as an eating disorder, and is considered to be the opposite of anorexia nervosa, the disease where one can never be too thin. Sufferers of this disorder will focus their entire day around when they can work out, what they eat, and how much muscle they are building.

Muscle dysmorphia is a disorder that can affect both sexes; however, it is more commonly seen in men. Numbers are hard to estimate, but it is known that around 100,000 or more people in the world meet the criteria that classify them as having bigorexia. Most men and women affected are bodybuilders. To learn about who this disorder typically affects, as well as information on other disorders, go to Eating-Disorder and Psychiatry Online. At Pub Med Central, learn about who this disorder affects, the signs and symptoms to help recognize it, and other studies and statistical analysis.

Many factors can contribute to the development of muscle dysmorphia. The media in developed countries can play one such role, as both men and women strive for the “perfect” body. For men, the “big and strong” goal is a natural one, and can sometimes lead to a dangerous obsession to achieve it. Thus, muscle dysmorphia. More information can be found at Vpul. Those who have this disorder will spend a great amount of time at the gym or lifting weights, usually for hours a day. They may complain that they are too thin, or too small, and continually check their body mass to see how much they have gained. For signs and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, a good read can be found at Associated Content.

Complications can arise from this type of disorder. They can include damaged muscles and joints from the compulsive weight lifting that occurs. Tendons, cartilage and ligaments can also be torn and damaged. Steroid use is also a factor, which can cause serious side effects all on their own. To learn more, go to Casapalmera.

Treatment for bigorexia can be difficult, as many people with the disorder do not seek it, and are happy the way they are. At the present time, research is still being conducted on how to treat this affliction. For now, the best method includes getting treatment from an athletic counselor and a sports medicine physician together. Some studies have shown that it may be genetically inherited, and that some people are more predisposed to get this affliction more than others.  For more information, go to Ehow. To learn how to get treatment and recovery options, read up at Men’s Health and We Do Recover. For a doctor’s look at the disorder, signs, symptoms, complications, and how to go about getting help, go to Dr. Mooseburger.

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Get more facts and information about Body dysmorphic disorder from Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders at Encyclopedia.com.