Do You Suffer From Muscle Dysmorphia?

Do you ever feel like you’re not big enough regardless how much effort you put in your training? Do you ever get a feeling of inadequacy when you compare yourself with the muscular monsters that appear on the covers of magazines and at the professional competitions? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you might suffer from a condition referred to as muscle dysmorphia, or the Adonis Complex.  Muscle dysmorphia is a psychological disorder marked by a negative body image and obsessive desire to have muscular physique. In other words, although you have a well defined six-pack, and your muscles are ripping through the shirt, you’re still not satisfied with the way you look.

These days it’s not hard to feel inadequate, especially if you are an average person. The media industry is constantly serving perfectly sculpted bodies that are hard to attain. This can put high expectations to any bodybuilder who aspires to enter the bodybuilding pantheon. Although they push themselves to the limits, and although everyone else is impressed with their physique, they feel like they’re not even close to the preferred pro-like muscular mass.  Comparing yourself with the perfection is not an issue. Most of us are doing that. But becoming obsessed with perfection can be real mental problem, and can result in severe damage to your body.

Let’s try putting this into a perspective. Imagine that your obsession with perfectly shaped, ripped and lean body is so intense that you never allow yourself to miss a day of training. Which is perfectly fine, if you are healthy. Yet, people with Adonis Complex tend to persist with their training, even when injured. This may result in permanent and more severe damage to your health, one that might even put you in a chair.

All things considered, muscle dysmorphia is a dangerous disorder brought on by person’s self image. What else can be said about condition which makes a 250 lb. muscular men think that they’re not big enough? The real question is how do we fight it?  First thing is admitting that you have a problem, and then seek professional help. You can also take before and after pictures. They will help you in documenting your progress, and keeping you in touch with the reality. If that doesn’t help, a psychotherapy would not be out of line.

 


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