Bigorexia: A Muscle Building Obsession

by Dr. Sean Kenniff for Miami.edu

muscles - bigorexiaJack was suffering from Bigorexia and experts say the problem is growing as men and women strive for buffer bodies.

In psychiatric circles, Bigorexia is referred to as Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder. It’s a body image problem similar to anorexia, but in this case, people with the condition see bigger as much better.

Dr. Eva Ritvo is a psychiatrist at the University of Miami who has extensively studied body image disorders.

“Bigorexia is a disorder where men or women that are body builders keep working out, keep getting bigger, and yet they see themselves as not big enough,”

“Bigorexia is a disorder where men or women that are body builders keep working out, keep getting bigger, and yet they see themselves as not big enough,” said Dr. Ritvo.

For most Bigorexics, workouts are not about cosmetics or even competitions, it’s about compulsion.

Dr. Ritvo says, “It’s believed that Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder are close cousins of an obsessive compulsive disorder.”