Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
It's back to school. Do You Really Know is dedicating a special week to sport because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our physical and mental health. Listen again to our episodes about sport.
What is muscle dysmorphia? Thanks for asking. Muscle dysmorphia, also known as bigorexia or reverse anorexia, is an obsession with bulking up by working out. It's caused by a person's belief that their body is too skinny or lacking in muscle. The term exercise addiction was coined by psychiatrist William Glasser in the 1970s.
More recently, it has been recognized as a potentially harmful condition. This addiction usually affects those who exercise excessively, mainly endurance sports participants and bodybuilders. For those affected, the pleasant feeling achieved through exercise gradually diminishes, creating a need for a greater fix. Eventually, this becomes compulsive and uncontrollable.
Like with any addiction, the person displays withdrawal symptoms if they can't exercise. They remain irritable, paranoid and unhappy until they next get to exercise when the symptoms disappear immediately. People with muscle dysmorphia may organize their lives around exercise. This could create distance between themselves and their loved ones.
They could even become susceptible to underlying injuries that they are not aware of. In those cases, exercise is no longer a benefit for personal health and well-being, but a real danger.
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Chapter 2: What is muscle dysmorphia and why is it important?
In the United Kingdom, the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation estimates that 10% of males working out at a gym could be affected by muscle dysmorphia. It may result from psychological trauma or emotional suffering which a person is unable to process. It's tricky to put a figure on the maximum number of recommended exercises hours per week.
Exercise is defined as excessive when it has a negative impact on other personal or professional areas of a person's life. Alternatively, it could be characterized by obsessional behavior or even a complete lifestyle change. Thankfully, it is absolutely possible to get help from a doctor or mental health specialist in order to beat this harmful disorder. There you have it.
Now you know what muscle dysmorphia is. In under three minutes, we answer your questions. What would you like to know about? Use the comments section to ask your questions on the podcast platform.