Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered some of the most common questions clients ask before their first stay with us.
In 2021, approximately 100,000 people worldwide met the psychological criteria for muscle dysmorphia. What exactly is muscle dysmorphia? And if you or someone fits its criteria, is that cause for concern?
This blog will answer the following questions:
Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is a psychological condition, also known as bigorexia or reverse anorexia. It’s a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), characterized by a distorted perception of one’s body, often negative, and an obsession with building and maintaining muscles.
Muscle dysmorphia may look slightly different in one person to another, but a typical example may look like an individual who spends most of their time at the gym trying to build muscles. Despite having muscles, they may continue to criticize themselves or compare their build to others. This individual may also have a strict diet that limits carbs and targets high-protein meals due to a fear of losing muscle or gaining fat.
If you suspect that you or someone you know may have muscle dysmorphia, look at this list of common signs and see how many you recognize.
Falling into one or a couple of these categories doesn’t confirm muscle dysmorphia but can suggest a need for support. Contact a healthcare professional if you suspect you or a loved one may be dealing with muscle dysmorphia and need extra help to overcome the disorder.
There’s no single cause of muscle dysmorphia, and it typically develops due to a combination of factors, including genetics, trauma, social environment, and psychological reasons.
Muscle dysmorphia, like any psychological disorder, won’t stem from one factor. It’s likely a combination of genetics, trauma, environment, and psychological contributors. Regardless of the reasons, body image disorders can cause serious harm to a person’s psyche and physical being if they’re not addressed and treated.
It may be hard to imagine a person’s perception of themselves being so distorted, but with those with muscle dysgraphia, this is often the case. People with muscle dysmorphia disorder usually view themselves as weak and small, much less muscular than they really are.
Along with their inaccurate view of their physical appearance, they may look at themselves as an inadequate person of little worth. This is where risks of self-harm, isolation, and depression can develop. If you see these false views in yourself or someone else, address them immediately. You don’t want to continue down the road of low self-worth; you’re worthy of love and self-respect.
With the right tools and treatment, a person with this disorder can work toward recovery. If left untreated, muscle dysmorphia symptoms will likely worsen, leading to anxiety, extensive medical bills, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts.
One of the biggest challenges with getting help is that many people with a body image disorder don’t recognize that there’s a problem. That’s why loved ones need to be aware of the signs to support the person to seek help and encourage their journey toward recovery.
So often, we tell ourselves that we can overcome a problem alone. Maybe that’s true in more minor cases, but there’s no shame in admitting to needing mental health or addiction support. Don’t talk yourself down from professional help.
We have a team of professionals who are compassionate, understanding, and dedicated to helping you. We offer holistic approaches to mental health, including biofeedback therapy, meditation and yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more.
Don’t fight your battles alone; let us support you. If you or a loved one is ready to begin the road to recovery, please don’t hesitate to reach out today.
Take the first step in your journey to recovery.
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