Bigorexia is an informal term for muscle dysmorphia, which is a health condition in which you’re obsessively unsatisfied with how much muscle you have.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) defines bigorexia as a body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is a psychiatric disorder in which you obsess over a perceived, nonexistent body “flaw” or “imperfection.”

In bigorexia, you’re fixated on the thought that your body is not muscular enough, too small, inadequate, or undesirable. This often leads to engaging in repetitive behaviors to build more muscle.

However, some of these behaviors may be unhealthy and cause harm to your physical, mental, and social well-being. In the eyes of others, you’re also more likely to have a lot of muscle because of these regular muscle-building activities.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, risk factors, coping strategies, and treatments available for muscle dysmorphia, and when to speak with a healthcare professional.

Bigorexia is a psychological condition characterized by an obsession that can lead to a wide range of repetitive behaviours, known as compulsions.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, people with BBD spend around 3 to 8 hours daily fixating on their negative self-perceptions and engaging in compulsions.

People with bigorexia may experience some of the following feelings, compulsions, and symptoms:

  • obsessing with your appearance, sometimes called body checking
  • disliking your body and feeling like anyone who sees you also dislikes it for the same reasons
  • avoiding social interactions or gatherings due to perceptions of your appearance
  • experiencing anxiety, anger, depression, or thoughts of suicide
  • fixating on specific diets and dietary supplements to cut weight and add muscle
  • overexercising at the gym, pushing your body far beyond its limits, then feeling compelled to return and do it again the very next day
  • taking certain medications or steroids to bolster muscle growth and physical fitness

While the DSM-5 categorizes bigorexia as a BDD, there’s still some debate in the medical community on whether it should be classified simply as a BDD or also as a form of eating disorder or addiction.

It’s not always clear who will experience bigorexia, but certain life experiences and underlying psychological factors may increase the risk of developing body dysmorphia.

According to the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, the following factors may increase your risk of developing bigorexia:

  • practicing bodybuilding, weightlifting, and other types of athletic activities
  • being between ages 15 and 32 years
  • having a family member with bigorexia, BDD, or an eating disorder
  • having experienced childhood trauma, such as bullying
  • using social media and frequently witnessing messages about “ideal” body shapes, sizes, and weights
  • having another mental health condition, such as disordered eating and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Both males and females can experience muscle dysmorphia, but researchers note that it’s almost four times more common in people assigned male at birth.

It can feel challenging to reach out for support if you’re experiencing negative feelings about your appearance.

Some people worry that this can make them appear “vain” or “self-obsessed,” but it’s important to know that this isn’t the case. Frequent anxieties about body image are often related to irregularities in how you perceive yourself.

People with BDD may also have more difficulty determining whether their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are considered “normal” or if they’re signs of a mental health condition.

If you frequently think about your appearance or engage in behaviors to alter it, consider speaking with a primary care doctor, mental health specialist, or a trusted friend or family member.

While reaching out for support can feel challenging, having a management plan in place can help you develop new, healthier ways to perceive and appreciate your body.

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

You can find the following medical specialists in your area today:

A management plan for bigorexia may include a wide range of treatments, including lifestyle changes, talk therapies, and medical treatments.

Lifestyle changes and self-care measures

You can start treating muscle dysmorphia today by making changes, including:

  • limiting your exercise and weightlifting activities at the gym
  • stopping your use of dietary supplements, protein shakes, and anabolic steroids
  • limiting your use of social media, especially with content that focuses on fitness, body image, and diet
  • deleting calorie trackers and fitness apps from your devices
  • identifying and addressing other behaviors that may play into your condition, including purging, binge eating, smoking, and drinking alcohol

You may also want to start your treatment by calling or starting an online chat with the National Eating Disorder Helpline.

Medical treatments

Several types of medical treatments can help treat bigorexia.

In most cases, healthcare professionals will first opt for nonpharmacological treatments like talk therapy with a mental health specialist. This can help you identify thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors associated with your negative perceptions and develop new strategies to respond to them.

Some common forms of talk therapy include:

If you have muscle dysmorphia along with other mental health conditions, a doctor may recommend a medication like a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to help stabilize your moods during treatment.

Find support today

Several organizations and groups can provide you with the support, resources, and information you need to help manage bigorexia. Some of these include:

If you’re having thoughts of self-harm, reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to speak with a counselor over the phone, by text, or in a chat forum.

Living with bigorexia means finding coping strategies that work. The following strategies might help you manage your symptoms:

  • Participate in online, telephone, or in-person recovery and support groups for people with body dysmorphia.
  • Practice meditation and deep-breathing exercises.
  • Spend your active time outdoors instead of in the gym.
  • Keep a journal to record your symptoms and how you’re feeling.

You’re not alone in living with bigorexia, whether you or someone you know experiences these symptoms. It’s estimated that 1 in 50 people have some type of body dysmorphia.

Speaking with a friend, family member, or someone else you trust about your experiences with bigorexia can be a helpful first step on your journey to accepting and finding happiness with your body.

Muscle dysmorphia is a health condition characterised by frequently feeling like your body is too small or not muscular enough, and engaging in behaviors to alter your body’s appearance.

If you think that you or someone you know may have bigorexia, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional for support. They can help develop a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms.