muscle dysmorphia

[ muhs-uhl dis-mawr-fee-uh ]

noun

1. a mental disorder primarily affecting males, characterized by obsessions about a perceived lack of muscularity, leading to compulsive exercising, use of anabolic steroids, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of muscle dysmorphia¹

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

And a subset of those may develop eating disorders or muscle dysmorphia that can lead to significant psychological distress and physical health complications.

From New York Times

Dr. Nagata: For people who develop eating disorders or muscle dysmorphia, exercise can be taken to the extreme and can cause more worry and preoccupation than enjoyment.

From New York Times

A body-image disorder called muscle dysmorphia, nicknamed “bigorexia,” causes even large men to see themselves as too small and develop an irrational fear of losing muscle.

From Washington Post

Those who survived the bodybuilding lifestyle described the lasting impact: kidney failure, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, thyroid dysfunction, enlarged hearts, hormonal imbalances, hair loss, infertility, eating disorders, muscle dysmorphia and depression, along with various orthopedic injuries.

From Washington Post

The quest for perfect pecs is so strong that psychiatrists now sometimes refer to it as “bigorexia,” a form of muscle dysmorphia exhibited mostly by men and characterized by excessive weight lifting, a preoccupation with not feeling muscular enough and a strict adherence to eating foods that lower weight and build muscle.

From New York Times