Body Dysmorphia And General Symptoms

Body dysmorphia is a mental disorder that causes people to have an obsessive preoccupation with their appearance. It shares similarities with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and falls under “Obsessive-compulsive and Related Disorders.” People with body dysmorphia often think they are too fat, even when thin. They may diet obsessively and over-exercise or try to hide their bodies by wearing baggy clothes. Body dysmorphia can profoundly affect a person’s health and well-being. People with body dysmorphia are at risk for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. They may also engage in self-harm or even attempt suicide.

Approximately 1-2% of the U.S. population suffers from body dysmorphia, making it more common than schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

How Body Dysmorphia Appears in Men

While the condition is most commonly associated with women, men can also suffer from the disorder. Studies suggest that body dysmorphia may be more common in men than previously thought. Studies show that approximately 1 out of three people with body dysmorphia is male. Men with body dysmorphia often obsess over their muscle size and body fat percentage. They may spend hours at the gym working out, even to exhaustion. They may also take steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs to achieve their desired physique.

The unrealistic expectations that men with body dysmorphia have can lead to several problems. These men may miss work or school due to their preoccupation with appearance. They may also have difficulty maintaining relationships due to their obsessive behavior. The pressure of social media can act as a trigger, as ubiquitous images and videos of muscle-bound men and women dominate social feeds. 

We recently wrote a story on Brian Johnson, the self-proclaimed Liver King who has amassed close to three million followers. No doubt, some of his male followers may suffer from body dysmorphia and are apt to purchase his detox products to achieve the same level of success and physical stature.

Many fitness models and trainers work hard to maintain their physique, often putting in hours at the gym several days a week, which is not a realistic goal for the average person. In addition, men suffering from body dysmorphia fail to realize that physiology plays a significant role in a person’s natural physique. Factors such as bone mass, bone density, bone structure, and height are genetic.

While body dysmorphia is a severe mental disorder, it is treatable. If you or someone you know is struggling with body dysmorphia, please seek professional help.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Given the physiological differences from person to person, it is helpful to understand not everyone will achieve the same results equally or at all. That’s ok. For men, bulking up is not always the way to go. Society places high value on tall, muscular men, which doesn’t fit the bill for every man. The average height for men in the United States is 5′ 9″. In addition, muscle growth varies per person. It is also important to note that testosterone, the hormone that provides and maintains muscle growth in men, diminishes starting at age 30. Men over a certain age must work harder to build and retain muscle mass.

The best solution is to set realistic expectations for yourself. You won’t suddenly turn into Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson anytime soon. The idea is to become the best version of yourself without over-exercising or comparing yourself to athletes and fitness models paid to look the way they do for a living.

For more information, visit the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation.

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