ALL ABOUT BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is not as discussed as it should be in the fitness industry. As a trainer, I believe this should be something you should be aware of when working with people.
According to Mayo Clinic, body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed, and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.
We all have things that we do not like about ourselves, however, BDD is more than that, it's an obsession for a certain body part that you dislike (could be any from the size of the thighs to the shape of the nose).
Common Symptoms
✔️ Anxiety in social interactions and thinking of the fact that others will notice your flaw.
✔️ Comparing yourself all the time with others and seeking reassurance from people around that your flow is not that noticeable.
✔️ Focusing most of your time on finding ways on how to hide that flow.
✔️ Multiple checks of that flaw in the mirror every single day.
Bigorexia
👉 BDD is also common in bodybuilders who although have a physique to envy, they would have an obsession with a certain body part (could be that their biceps is not big enough or their calves are not big enough) and this could lead to dangerous behaviors such as taking all sorts of supplements or having abnormal eating patterns. This one is known under the name of bigorexia.
👉 Bigorexia or muscle dysmorphia is more common among men than among women. They think that their muscles are not big or pumped enough. They would make a fixation over a specific body part and spend long hours in the gym overtraining. They often take all sorts of dangerous supplements such as steroids or unapproved medication. They also tend to diet or be on an endless caloric deficit.
👉 Bigorexia is fairly common among elite athletes and bodybuilding competitors and it can be really dangerous for their health, leading to depression, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts.
The race for perfection has no winners and it's important to constantly work on accepting yourself the way you are. Perfectionism has a destructive site that can easily become unmanageable if we are not constantly aware of our negative patterns and we don’t work hard to get them under control.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is most of the time undiagnosed and untreated. More and more people experience it without even realizing it. I think it's important to know about the dangers of this disease and seek help if you're struggling with any of the following symptoms.