Can Women Have Muscle Dysmorphia (Bigorexia)? Causes, Symptoms

muscle dysmorphia in females, bigorexia
Women can have muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia; however, it is more common in men than in women.

Women can have muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia. The condition, however, is more common in men than in women.

  • Muscle dysmorphia is more common in teens and young adults.
  • Studies report that it affects about 0.5 percent of all men although these data are probably an underestimation.
  • It can be seen in both heterosexual and homosexual men.

With growing interests in staying fit and muscular, there may be an increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia. Increasing participation of women in sports or athletics may further the tendency of muscle dysmorphia among women.

What is muscle dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia) is a type of body dysmorphic disorder in which the person falsely views themselves as too weak or thin despite not being so. They may falsely believe that they have too low muscle mass or are not lean enough despite being muscular or having a normal physique.

Muscle dysmorphia is particularly common in bodybuilders, athletes, and people involved in resistance training.

Such false body image may be associated with:

  • Having a poor body image
  • Doing excessive workouts including heavy weight lifting
  • Taking a lot of supplements including anabolic steroids to bulk up
  • Being too rigid about their diet
  • Tending to repeatedly look into the mirror because of not being confident about how they look
  • Avoiding social interactions so that their diet or exercise routine is not disrupted
  • Being too obsessed about how they look and how to achieve their desired physique
  • Constantly comparing their physique with others
  • Having a constant need to seek reassurance about their looks

A person with muscle dysmorphia may have low self-esteem although exaggerated or high self-esteem may also be seen. The constant indulgence in getting “big” may result in social isolation and a higher risk of depression, anxiety, or suicidal tendencies. The affected person may even resort to risky procedures or surgeries to correct their falsely perceived defects.




QUESTION

Laughter feels good because…
See Answer

What causes muscle dysmorphia?

The exact cause of muscle dysmorphia is unknown; however, certain factors may increase a person’s likelihood of getting this disorder, such as:

  • Being bullied or teased for one’s looks during childhood
  • Peer pressure for getting an “ideal” physique
  • Being too obsessed with the social or cultural norms of good looks
  • Being influenced by the way media portrays “perfect” bodies
  • Having mental or emotional issues such as anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Being brought up in a family where parents or caregivers were too critical of the person’s appearance
  • Being rejected or betrayed on grounds of looks
  • Having a history of traumatic events during childhood

How do you treat muscle dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia can be effectively treated with psychological therapy and family support. Medications may be added when required.

  • Psychotherapy: It involves counseling provided by a qualified mental health professional. The provider generally uses cognitive behavior therapy to help the person realize the issue, what is causing it, and how to deal with it.
  • Exposure and response prevention: Here, the person is made to realize that their negative perceptions about themselves are false with the help of thoughts and real-life situations.
  • Group or family therapy: Here, the person’s family or friends may be involved in the therapy to help them recover better.
  • Medications: Muscle dysmorphia is often associated with depression and anxiety. The doctor may prescribe medications (such as antidepressants) to treat these disorders.

Check Also

Fresh Frozen Plasma: Transfusion Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Dosage

Generic Name: fresh frozen plasma Brand and Other Names: FFP, Octaplas Drug Class: Blood Components What is fresh frozen plasma, and what is it used for? Plasma is the liquid component of blood, the medium that keeps blood flowing. Plasma is a straw-colored fluid that remains when all the blood cells including red blood cells, …

Can Women Have Muscle Dysmorphia (Bigorexia)? Causes, Symptoms

muscle dysmorphia in females, bigorexia
Women can have muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia; however, it is more common in men than in women.

Women can have muscle dysmorphia or bigorexia. The condition, however, is more common in men than in women.

  • Muscle dysmorphia is more common in teens and young adults.
  • Studies report that it affects about 0.5 percent of all men although these data are probably an underestimation.
  • It can be seen in both heterosexual and homosexual men.

With growing interests in staying fit and muscular, there may be an increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia. Increasing participation of women in sports or athletics may further the tendency of muscle dysmorphia among women.

What is muscle dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia) is a type of body dysmorphic disorder in which the person falsely views themselves as too weak or thin despite not being so. They may falsely believe that they have too low muscle mass or are not lean enough despite being muscular or having a normal physique.

Muscle dysmorphia is particularly common in bodybuilders, athletes, and people involved in resistance training.

Such false body image may be associated with:

  • Having a poor body image
  • Doing excessive workouts including heavy weight lifting
  • Taking a lot of supplements including anabolic steroids to bulk up
  • Being too rigid about their diet
  • Tending to repeatedly look into the mirror because of not being confident about how they look
  • Avoiding social interactions so that their diet or exercise routine is not disrupted
  • Being too obsessed about how they look and how to achieve their desired physique
  • Constantly comparing their physique with others
  • Having a constant need to seek reassurance about their looks

A person with muscle dysmorphia may have low self-esteem although exaggerated or high self-esteem may also be seen. The constant indulgence in getting “big” may result in social isolation and a higher risk of depression, anxiety, or suicidal tendencies. The affected person may even resort to risky procedures or surgeries to correct their falsely perceived defects.




QUESTION

Laughter feels good because…
See Answer

What causes muscle dysmorphia?

The exact cause of muscle dysmorphia is unknown; however, certain factors may increase a person’s likelihood of getting this disorder, such as:

  • Being bullied or teased for one’s looks during childhood
  • Peer pressure for getting an “ideal” physique
  • Being too obsessed with the social or cultural norms of good looks
  • Being influenced by the way media portrays “perfect” bodies
  • Having mental or emotional issues such as anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Being brought up in a family where parents or caregivers were too critical of the person’s appearance
  • Being rejected or betrayed on grounds of looks
  • Having a history of traumatic events during childhood

How do you treat muscle dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia can be effectively treated with psychological therapy and family support. Medications may be added when required.

  • Psychotherapy: It involves counseling provided by a qualified mental health professional. The provider generally uses cognitive behavior therapy to help the person realize the issue, what is causing it, and how to deal with it.
  • Exposure and response prevention: Here, the person is made to realize that their negative perceptions about themselves are false with the help of thoughts and real-life situations.
  • Group or family therapy: Here, the person’s family or friends may be involved in the therapy to help them recover better.
  • Medications: Muscle dysmorphia is often associated with depression and anxiety. The doctor may prescribe medications (such as antidepressants) to treat these disorders.

Check Also

강남 셔츠룸 서울부장

강남 셔츠룸 매정한 나라에요 ㅋㅋㅋ 신규오픈 매장으로 설치 물품들이 많습니다. 역시 시부야 아니랄까봐 우리 나라 정서가 두 들겨야 흥이 더 나는듯 합니다. 아직 소버일때 우리 여자 예쁘니 직원들이랑 사진찍고 놀기  5~2배 정도 들었던것같아요 일환이었던 월성 원전 1호기 조기폐쇄에 대한 감사는 수위 조절이 실패해서 포기 햇엇드랫죠;; 대량 매출 가능한 입지라 확신합니다. 게임센터 규모도 장난 아니더라구요 차량…

Leave a Reply