Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought you were small, when in fact
you are quite large compared to the ordinary Joe? Do you ever feel inferior
in size to someone much smaller than you? Are you obsessed with increasing
your muscle size, despite already being huge? If you have, you might have
muscle dysmorphia.
Muscle dymorphia is a disease where you think that you
are small, when in fact you are not or you are overly obsessed with muscle
size. This disease is nicknamed "bigorexia" because it is often felt by big
individuals. Now, there is the "real" disease where people have an actual
mental disorder which seriously affects their life. Because this person is
extremely self-conscious, it could destroy friends, relationships, and other
pursuits of life. This disease is basically the opposite of anorexia. There
is also what I call "bodybuilding bigorexia," in which, like muscle
dysmorphia, the "diseased" is never satisfied with their body. This can be
both a good and a bad thing. In this article, we will look at the current
research on this topic and then discuss how this disease can influence us as
bodybuilders.
The Studies
Studies have shown that muscle dysmorphia is most common among male
bodybuilders. Female bodybuilders and other athletes of both genders
also feel the affects of this disease.
| Study 1: Lantz CD. Rhea DJ. Cornelius AE. Muscle dysmorphia in elite-level power
lifters and bodybuilders: a test of differences within a conceptual model.
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 16(4):649-55, 2002 Nov. |
This study compared the behaviors associated with muscle dysmorphia seen in
elite bodybuilders and powerlifters. The results were that bodybuilders
showed a higher tendency to display characteristics associated with this
disease.
| Study 2: Mayville SB. Williamson DA. White MA. Netemeyer RG. Drab DL. Development of
the Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale: a self-report measure for the
assessment of muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Assessment. 9(4):351-60, 2002 Dec. |
In order to diagnose muscle dysmorphia, an assessment test was developed.
The test is called the Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale (MASS). This
test examines: "Bodybuilding dependence, muscle checking, substance use,
injury, and muscle satisfaction."
| Study 3: Choi PY. Pope HG Jr. Olivardia R. Muscle dysmorphia: a new syndrome in
weightlifters. [Journal Article] British Journal of Sports Medicine.
36(5):375-6; discussion 377, 2002 Oct. |
This study examined how weight lifters view themselves. The study found that
individuals suffering from muscle dsymorphia are less happy with their
bodies, despite being well developed, than one who does not have the
disease.
| Study 4: Leit RA. Gray JJ. Pope HG Jr. The media's representation of the ideal male
body: a cause for muscle dysmorphia?. International Journal of Eating
Disorders. 31(3):334-8, 2002 Apr. |
This study examined the effects of the media on muscle dysmorphia. A group
of college men were shown advertisements. Some were shown advertisements
with muscular men and some were shown neutral advertisements. After viewing
the advertisements, the men were given a test which measured their self
perception of their bodies and the bodies they want to achieve. The study
found that those shown the advertisements of muscular men had a larger
discrepancy between their current self and what they would like to look
like.
| Study 5: Olivardia R. Pope HG Jr. Hudson JI. Muscle dysmorphia in male weightlifters:
a case-control study. American Journal of Psychiatry. 157(8):1291-6, 2000
Aug. |
This study examined 54 men recruited from gyms in Boston. Twenty-four of
these men had muscle dysmorphia, while the other 30 were "normal" weight
lifters. The study found that, "The men with muscle dysmorphia differed
significantly from the normal comparison weight lifters on numerous
measures, including body dissatisfaction, eating attitudes, prevalence of
anabolic steroid use, and lifetime prevalence of DSM- IV mood, anxiety, and
eating disorders. The men with muscle dysmorphia frequently described shame,
embarrassment, and impairment of social and occupational functioning in
association with their condition."
Bodybuilders and the Disease
From these studies, it is clear that muscle dysmorphia is an actual
disease. Depending on ones condition, I would not classify this as a bad
"disease." Everyone has the desire to better themselves. In some
individuals, this desire is stronger. If having muscle dysmorphia means you
are obsessed with your improving your physique, dieting, and
dissatisfaction, then I have a bad case of bigorexia. But, this "disease" is
what pushes me to go to the gym day in and day out. This "disease" is what
causes me to follow my structured diet. This "disease" is what does not
allow me to slow down because I am satisfied with what I have accomplished.
Muscle dysmorphia is considered a form of obsessive compulsion. An ad
featured by GNC sums up the truth behind this:
