Body image issues in men are increasingly common and can have serious mental health implications. And for an estimate one in ten young men who go to the gym in the UK, these body image issues can lead to a mental health issue known as muscle dysmorphia.
Although researchers are only just beginning to understand the complexities of the disease, it appears that young men are currently affected by it at a higher rate than other populations. There are thought to be many reasons for this, but researchers have found that media and social media pressure, as well as changing ideas about masculinity, may be the main causes.
Sometimes called “bigorexiaor ‘reverse anorexia’, people with muscle dysmorphia think their body is too small, thin or insufficiently muscular – although the opposite may be true. This distorted view causes a concern with becoming too muscular and skinny, often leading to the development of dangerous habits, such as excessive weight training, restrictive diets and the use of substances such as anabolic steroids. It can also lead to anxiety, depression and can affect their daily life.
But currently, diagnosing muscle dysmorphia is still difficult. Although several self-assessment surveys exist to help doctors diagnose patients, these surveys do not assess associated symptoms (like a desire for bigger muscle or body image issues) rather than offering a solid diagnosis.
Diagnosis is also based on patients meeting a set of criteria, such as having a preoccupation with being lean and muscular, lifting weights excessively, and dieting. But since many different methods are used to diagnose muscle dysmorphia, this can make it difficult to fully understand the condition.
However, in general, most experts agree that people with muscle dysmorphia tend to steroid usehave eating disorder symptoms (such as compulsive exercise and eating habits) and higher body dissatisfaction, usually with their general appearance, weight and musculature.
People with muscle dysmorphia also tend to have low self-esteem, higher levels of anxiety when their physique is exposed, higher rates of depressionand obsessive-compulsive behavior towards exercise and diet. For example, people may prioritize training over work or social activities Where eat strictly every three hours to ensure muscle gain. And if these behaviors are disturbed, it causes anxiety and emotional turmoil.
Muscle dysmorphia tends to affect men in their mid 20s to mid 30salthough the mean age of onset is 19 years old. Research suggests it is most common in bodybuilding and bodybuilding communities.
However, research also shows nearly 6% of American students to see her. Another study found that 4.2% of women and 12.7% of men in the U.S. military have muscle dysmorphia. So, although it appears to primarily affect young men, research on its prevalence in other populations is limited.
The “ideal” body
There are many reasons a person can develop muscle dysmorphia, and it’s unique to each person. However, research suggests that the media (and social media), as well as pressure from family and friends, are likely causes.
For example, media representations of men over time have become more muscular. More specifically, over several decades male models in magazines have become much taller and leaner. Same male action figures have changed over time, becoming unrealistically muscular.
Muscle dysmorphia is linked to the belief that a a muscular physique is ideal. Thus, being exposed to these images and ideals in the media can lead to anxiety and a distorted view of one’s body. Studies also show use of social networks is directly related to the idolatry of the musculature in young boys. Viewing images from fit people on social media also predicts fixation on becoming more muscular.
The view that being muscular is precious is usually learned from friends and family, and the pressure to be muscular can take the form of comparisons or reviews on the appearance of loved ones. Research shows that some men even crave a muscular physique to deal with bullying and emasculation from family members and romantic partners.
Some researchers also believe they believe a so-called “male crisismay contribute to increased cases of muscle dysmorphia. This reflects the perceived belief that men have fewer opportunities to assert one’s manhood by manual and industrial work. This can leave some men feeling threatened and emasculated.
As a result, men learned to use a muscular physique to visually show their masculinity. Increasingly, masculinity in modern culture is not about what you do, but what do you look like. Thus, the value that society places on muscularity may explain why muscle dysmorphia is more common in men.
Because muscle dysmorphia is potentially underreported, we cannot know precisely how common it is. Instead, we can only speculate based on the limited evidence we have. The uncertainty is partly due to inconsistent diagnostic tools and the notion that it is taboo for men to care about how they look or share their feelings.
Little research has explored treatment options for muscle dysmorphia, but an opinion suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy, thought restructuring (a technique that helps people understand and question their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs), and family therapy could all be beneficial.
Since internal experiences are difficult to change, people suffer from long-term illness. But since the condition is similar to body dysmorphic disorderthat causes people to obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance more generally, researchers may already have promising potential solutions to help manage the emotions and symptoms associated with muscle dysmorphia.
