Adonis Specimen: Bigorexia: Bodybuilding and Muscle Dysmorphia

Overall this essay was helpful as it outlined the basics of muscle dysmorphia including what it is and how it inhibits those affected. Interestingly the essay raises an interesting argument for the medical classification of muscle dysmorphia as some believe it isn't classed as an eating disorder due to the fact that those affected seem to have more of an obsession over exercise than an abnormal approach to eating. However the counter argument that 'the distinctive cognitions and rigorous lifestyle of the obsessive bodybuilder in his pursuit of bigness parallel the phenomenology of the man with an eating disorder in his pursuit of thinness’ this is supported by a study by Maid and Armstrong (2005) during which researchers identified 'that symptoms of muscle dysmorphia are strongly related to certain measures of eating disorder (body dissatisfaction and perfectionism) and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but also that symptoms of muscle dysmorphia were not at all related to somatisation'. This highlights the issues linked to muscle dysmorphia and toxic masculinity as the medical society seem to be less ready to believe that those affected could be affected by an eating disorder as disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia have traditionally been associated with women, although it's recognized that these conditions affect men. The issue seems to arise over the idea that the person affected isn't trying to lose weight but gain muscle which is where the difficulties lie. These difficulties could be linked to societies perception of men and the stereotypes that go along with traditional male gender roles, as the medias perception of the perfect male seems to be a key contributor to those affected. 

Interesting points:

‘evidence suggests that increasing numbers of young men are becoming dissatisfied with their appearance. ‘

‘not a desire for smaller and slimmer bodies, as is most often the case in women, but rather larger and more muscular ones (Pope et al., 2000a).’

‘relatively new body image disturbance that primarily affects men.’ 

‘although they were highly muscular, believed that they appeared inadequately small and weak. They declined social invitations, wore heavy clothes even in the heat of summer and refused to be seen at the beach’ 

‘desire to gain greater musculature whilst not gaining fat. (Choi, Pope, & Olivardia, 2002).’

‘Muscle dysmorphia at its most severe is profoundly distressing. Some men become so pre-occupied with muscle development that they will miss social events, lose their job and even continue training through injury.’

‘may eventually experiment with anabolic steroids. These drugs produce rapid increases in lean muscle mass with few immediate side effects. However, prolonged use is associated with raised cholesterol, prostate enlargement, male-pattern baldness, acne, and testicular atrophy. Withdrawal from a cycle of steroids can lead to depression and has been associated with suicide (Pope & Brower, 2000)’.

‘the total number of males of all ages in the USA who have used anabolic steroids may exceed 2 million (Pope, Phillips, & Olivardia, 2000b).’

‘obsessive drive to exercise and to restrict their diet’. 

‘subtype of body dysmorphic disorder, defined as a pre-occupation with an imagined or exaggerated deficit in appearance that has the characteristics of an overvalued idea, is not amenable to re-assurance and leads to significant distress plus impairment of functioning’. 

‘body dysmorphic disorder is classified in section F45.2 as a hypochondriacal disorder, which thus groups it with a diverse range of presentations known as ‘somatoform’.’

‘This shift in nosology seems to be based upon the profound distortion of body image present in those severely affected by the condition, coupled with the dominance of pathological exercise behaviour over abnormal eating behaviour alone.’

‘body dysmorphic disorder might be more appropriately conceptualised as an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder on the evidence of an overlapping psychopathology— namely intrusive, obsessional fears and compulsive rituals (Philips, Gunderson, Mallya, McElroy,&Carter, 1998).’

‘identify that symptoms of muscle dysmorphia are strongly related to certain measures of eating disorder (body dissatisfaction and perfectionism) and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but also that symptoms of muscle dysmorphia were not at all related to somatisation.’

‘The fact remains that ‘the distinctive cognitions and rigorous lifestyle of the obsessive bodybuilder in his pursuit of bigness parallel the phenomenology of the man with an eating disorder in his pursuit of thinness’ 

‘lays the blame for this trend at the door of contemporary Western culture’. 

‘action figurines that portray heroes with implausibly muscled physiques (Pope, Olivardia, Gruber, & Borowiecki, 1999).’ 

‘Men are now targeted by marketing campaigns that seek out their body image insecurities, just as females have been for many years.’ 

‘the stripped male torso is now a frequent advertising tool (Pope, Olivardia, Borowiecki, & Cohane, 2001). Worryingly, today’s society tells us that the steroid-enhanced, lean, muscular physique embodies’

‘not only the healthy lifestyle to which we should all aspire, but also the minimum physical standard that all men are expected to attain’.