Derek Charlebois - Muscle Dysmorphia: Does It Affect You?

[admin]

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought you were small, when in fact you are quite large compared to the ordinary Joe?

http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/derek43.htm

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[Biceps]

I think that this article does a disservice to those who are truly suffering from the disease. Those with Muscle Dysmorphic disorder suffer psychologically, socially and emotionally, and to a very large degree. I don't think that this article accurately reflects that and tackles that problem.

Those with Muscle Dysmorphic disorder experience a severe amount of depression. This depression is strong enough to have a very negative impact on their personal and social lives. You have this attitude that you are never good enough. Something is always wrong with you. No matter how hard you try you're just not good enough for yourself and others. How would you like to feel like that 24/7 ??

You are very anxious in social situations because you believe that others mock your size, thinking that they think you are too small when in fact you are not. Because of this anxiety, you withdraw from and avoid social situations. Want a girlfriend? Forget it. You don't have the ability to function in a social situation. You don't go out and explore the world outside of bodybuilding and consequently, you miss out on so much. While others are out having fun, camping, hiking, meeting new people and forming new friendships, going to parties, meeting girls, etc., you are stuck at home because you have to eat every three hours or because you have go to the gym. You want so badly to have these type of friendships and experiences, but the disease holds you at bay and prevents you from ever getting to experience those things that you want most. You miss out on EVERYTHING that people your age are supposed to be experiencing. Bodybuilding becomes your life. Nothing more, nothing less. Still think this disease is cool?

It is now summer outside. Do those with Muscle Dysmorphic disorder wear comfortable and light t-shirts. No. They wear clothes that will cover up and hide their muscles out of shame and feelings of inadequacy. Therefore, you don't wear shorts when it is hot and you are less likely to wear a t-shirt. You sweat and are uncomfortable all day, and for what?? Oh yeah, the disease that has driven me to have this so called championship physique, but I would never call it that because I'm just not that good yet.

You make it sound as if this disease is something cool to have. The truth is that this disorder keeps you from having solid friendships and intimate relationships. You always experience depression. You experience anxiety in social situations and therefore withdraw. And you think that this is a good disease to have???? I know two people who are exactly as I described above. I would NEVER want to be in their shoes. I am a dedicated bodybuilder, but if I was driven by this disease, I would resent what bodybuilding has done to my life with a passion. There are so many things that those two have missed out on in life that they will never get a chance to experience again, and will spend the rest of their lives wondering "what if".

I don't mean to personally attack you, but this is a subject that I'm very passionate about and I don't like to see people treat it lightly. You should have provided some source of reference for those who may have this and need to get some help. I may have overlooked it, but I didn't see a link.

[Beast]

Read this (from the first paragraph):
Muscle dymorphia is a disease where you think that you are small, when in fact you are not or you are overly obsessed with muscle size. This disease is nicknamed "bigorexia" because it is often felt by big individuals. Now, there is the "real" disease where people have an actual mental disorder which seriously affects their life. Because this person is extremely self-conscious, it could destroy friends, relationships, and other pursuits of life. This disease is basically the opposite of anorexia. There is also what I call "bodybuilding bigorexia," in which, like muscle dysmorphia, the "diseased" is never satisfied with their body. This can be both a good and a bad thing. In this article, we will look at the current research on this topic and then discuss how this disease can influence us as bodybuilders.

Notice I make a distrinction that I am talking about what I call "bodybuilding bigorexia," and not the real disease. It is obvious I am not talking about the actually psychological disorder, but rather the feeling of never being satisfied and continuously pushing yourself to improve, hence the term "bodybuilding bigorexia".

[AMDEZ]

I'm one of these...I've severed relationships with girls/friends/family for my own gain in a weight room.

I think this may lead to drug use (steroids)...I draw ever near to using anabolics.

Good GOOD VERY ****ING GOOD ARTICLE. I didn't know about it. I figured all I did that I was a non responder.

[Biceps]

Hey there. I did catch the distinction that you made, and I'm sorry if I came across as a little rude about it. That was not my intention. Sorry.


However, this disorder is something that is VERY serious, and trying to make it seem that it is ok in some respects to have muscle dysmorphia I think was the wrong stance and focus to take on the issue. True, it is a great motivator. It can seperate those who succeed from those who do not. But it is a disease that can tear apart lives. This in my opinion should have been the focus of your article, because there are people on this message board who do suffer greatly from it. AMDEZ above this post is a perfect example, and he didn't even know that he had it. Look at what it has done to his life. How many others on this board are like him? Do you have any links that could be of use for those who do struggle with this that they could go and check out to hopefully get some help???

Again, I apologize for my initial response. I hope this response clarifies my position on the article.

[Samoan]

I have had this for years. I've been struggling with the enormous pressure to achieve physical perfection because of it. Another name for it is - The Adonis Complex. My quest for a more muscular body becomes so single-minded that I often have sacrificed relationships/friendships and carrear goals. I obsessively try to fix flaws that I believe I have but others never notice. F*ck, I am a large man, but you feel like you are never big enough, and you always still feel inferior in size. I measure my bodyparts constantly, I realize they grow. When I see people whom I haven't seen in a long time they look at me with amazement because of the muscular gains I have made. But still, the body dissatisfaction remains, and as a result sometimes you suffer loss of self-esteem or from depression. It's always some flaw you can't help but see like: "You are still to small", "Still not big enough"...Trying to achieve unrealistic physical ideals, makes you entertain the thought of steroids. Yes, I realize many people do benefit from them, but it would not be wise for a person with Muscle Dismorphia, Body Dismorphic Disorder, Bodybuilding Bigorexia (whatever label you choose for it) to turn to them, because it will most likely lead to "abuse" and not just use. It has been a great motivator in the gym, but it has also caused me alot of problems. I have put my training and diet before anything else, infront of friends and family included. I don't worry about paying the bills the first of every month, instead I worry about making money to support my diet and supplementation.

[Biceps]

You walk through the mall, always self conscious about how you appear to others. Thoughts run through your head like "what are they laughing at over there? Are they laughing at me? They must be", "Why are they stairing at me? Am I not good enough? Is there something wrong with me? There must be.", "If I can just bring up this lagging bodypart I won't look so funny anymore".

These are the thoughts that ran through one of my close friend's mind today as he walked through the mall. It is really sad. He deals with this every single moment of every single day. Sometimes he can put it aside and feel incredibly confident and realize just how silly his thought process is, but it never lasts as the feelings always return.

[AMDEZ]

oh yeah thats me.

[Beast]

Yes I see what you are saying. Maybe the distinction of what I was talking about was not clear enough.

[Division Iron]

You walk through the mall, always self conscious about how you appear to others. Thoughts run through your head like "what are they laughing at over there? Are they laughing at me? They must be", "Why are they stairing at me? Am I not good enough? Is there something wrong with me? There must be.", "If I can just bring up this lagging bodypart I won't look so funny anymore".


What??? is this a disease, I feel exactly like this... and I know for sure that people laugh at my lagging shoulders.

How do get rid of it??

[Biceps]

Yeah, this is a personality disorder. However, it has not yet been classified by the DSM-IV (the most up to date manual used by clinical psychologists to diagnose and treat disorders). It is a relatively new disorder, or at least a disorder that is now getting some attention.

As to how to get rid of it....that's a good question. It takes time. It doesn't just disappear. It's been 5 months since I've last posted on this topic, and although I've gotten better, it is still echoing in the background from time to time. What I have found helpful is to try to find things that build my confidence. For example, one of the most common symptoms is a feeling that no matter what you are just not muscular enough, and therefore just not good enough. But then I realized that I'm just f*cking huge compared to other guys!! How big are you compared to other guys? Honestly! Take a look around you, and I'll guarantee that the guys you see around you are not as big and muscular as you are. Look at their arms? Are they as big? No. Look at their backs. Do they have the type of development in their body that you have?? I doubt it. If you have this disorder, chances are that you are a really big and muscular guy, better developed that 99% of the guys out there. Why? Because guys like us obsess over our physiques. Everything has to be perfect and huge, and we'll do whatever it takes to get there. Other guys that lift weights aren't as oriented towards detail as you and I are, and because of our obsession, we have grown bigger than we really think we are. Take an honest look at yourself, without looking at what you think is wrong with your body, and honestly ask yourself, "Am I really that small compared to others?" I'm willing to bet you're not.

It's a matter of becoming comfortable with what you have achieve so far, realizing that 99% of those other guys in the gym haven't achieved what you have. I've come to respect what I have achieved much more so than I did in the past, when I use to just focus on everything that was wrong with me.

And those people that you know for sure are laughing at you.....what, are you a mind reader or something?!! For all you know they could very well be talking about you, but they could be very impressed with you and joking around how someday they will be as muscular as you are. Or they could have been talking about something that had nothing to do with you, and just happened to look you way while they were laughing at whatever they were joking around about before. Remember, you interpretation of the events around you become your reality, and if you believe that others are laughing at you, even though you have not a single shred of objective evidence that they are, then that is your reality, even though it very well may not be true. These people that you believe are laughing at you, what have they said that makes you so sure??


PM and we can talk some more about it

[iron_on_my_mind]

One technique you might try (for those of you who have this problem), is to pick one activity/responsibility that MUST take precedence over your workout sessions. It can be anything For me, it is school/work. The only caveat is, is that this activity must also give you pleasure and serve as a source of pride. AND it must NOT be bodybuilding-related.

Also realize that 1.) too much freaky size can actually be unattractive, and 2.), ripped definition plus size is for competitions. The very fact that you look big and strong is enough for most people. Your big shoulders and big traps are visible, but they don't need to be super-defioned and striated and veiny.

Another technique is to fool yourself a bit: instead of obsessing about your body, focus on the challenge of lifting more weight. Make it a game. Yes, this might give you something else to obsess about, but it's better than abnormal body image.

My philosphy is this: if I develop a slight (only slight) gut after Christmas, or from my general bulking stage, I don't worry. My massive shoulders and shapely triceps get most of the attention anyway. :-)

Last technique: Even if you don't feel confident out in public, then ACT confident. Be like the Puffer-fish, and simply make it seem you are bigger than you are. Chin up, head high, nice smile, or imposing poker face. You pick. Eventually, you'll begin to believe it, and when people react positively toward you (because you give them a CHANCE to do so), you'll feel better about yourself and become more comfortable in social situations.

[Biceps]

Hey, great post and great ideas Thanks for the tips. I too have found that the more confident you act when you're out, whether you really are or not, the more you begin to believe it. People's responses towards you are very positive and interactions are always much more rewarding. I started out trying the "Puffer fish" technique, and now you couldn't convince me otherwise of how massive I am, whereas before I wouldn't have believed it.

are these articles written by children? what a juvenile,ignorant article. rubbish like this ruins this site

I hope you're not refering to our discussion about this topic being rubbish, and that you're rather refering to the initial article that sparked this topic as being "rubbish". If you believe that the initial article that sparked this topic is rubish, that's cool, but if you think that Muscle Dismorphic Disorder is a joke and nothing but rubbish, we would all appreciate you not posting on this topic and taking your comments elsewhere. Peace.

It is incredible how to see the reductionist way that eating disorders are focused. All the subjective maladies are labelled with the same name and it is perceived like if they were contagious. Every human being has obsessions, problems and difficulties. I think we should call all that alarm era of the paranoial.

[jdiritto]

"bodybuilding bigorexia"

While I agree with the term in the sense; the presentation of the positivity surronding the term is less than to be desired.

Muscle Dysmorphia (as with other body dysmorphic disorders) is a serious mental disease and while I respect the viewpoint of Mr. Charlebois, I completely disagree with the fashion with which this is presented.

There is a large difference between the bodybuilder who strives to improve themself with regards to the competitive nature of the sport, and the bodybuilder who is dillusional in their cognitive thought processeses involved in self-assesment/evaluation.

[siersy]

so this is like anorexia's healthier cousin?

[jdiritto]

Physiologically, to an extent. Psycho-socially they are equals.

(in my opinion as an exercise/sport psychology graduate student)