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It is no secret that many people struggle with an idealized image of a perfect body, which flows in a wide stream from television, internet portals and social media. The world that some people create around themselves seems so wonderful that it is unreal (and yet we still believe in it!). Attractive and athletic women, muscular and self-confident men - in such conditions it is easy to fall into the trap of obsession with one's own appearance. When this happens, the consequences can be very dangerous. In extreme situations, it can even lead to illness.
Bigorexia, dysmorphic disorder
These are serious conditions that are not often heard of, and whose effects can be dire. Bigorexia is defined as a disturbance in the perception of one's own body, which causes muscle dysmorphia, or a constant feeling of dissatisfaction with the results achieved and the need to increase muscle mass, which is perceived as insufficient. As studies show, the group most at risk of suffering from bigorexia are young men. What's more, this condition affects about 10% of men who practice bodybuilding professionally.
This disease is as serious as anorexia or bulimia. Harrison Pope, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard University, defined it as "a disorder related to the perception of physical appearance, characterized by an increasing obsession with increasing muscle mass."
In the criteria for diagnosing bigorexia, Prof. Pope included:
- spending many hours in the gym and following restrictive diets;
- preoccupation with the thought that the body is still not muscular enough;
- obsession with one's own body structure, which leads to disturbances in other areas, including: family, professional and social life;
- constant comparison of dimensions, checking the muscle circumference of all body parts, frequent visual assessment of the muscles in the mirror;
- absolute subordination of the timetable to training;
- avoiding situations in which the body is shown in public (swimming pool, beach).
When we start exercising seriously, we want to achieve results - this is normal, but let's remember not to do it at all costs and not fall into a trap from which it will be difficult to get out. In everything, we should maintain common sense and be guided above all by one thing - our health. If it is a priority for us, the effects of our actions will be positive on many levels of our fitness lifestyle.
