Do Men Get Body Dysmorphia?

When you hear of body dysmorphia you will typically hear of women who suffer from it. However, men are actually just as likely to suffer from body dysmorphic disorder, just in a different way. Yes, there are men who don’t think they are skinny enough but the majority actually suffer from a different form of dysmorphia called muscle dysmorphia. Here we will go into what muscle dysmorphia is and how we can prevent and treat it in men.

What Is Muscle Dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia is a condition in which a person becomes preoccupied with the idea that they are not muscular enough. This can lead to excessive exercise and the use of steroids and other muscle-building supplements. People with muscle dysmorphia often have a distorted view of their own body, seeing themselves as smaller and weaker than they actually are. This can lead to a great deal of distress and can interfere with daily life.

Muscle dysmorphia can be a very harmful condition, both physically and mentally. It can lead to injuries, eating disorders and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. If you think you might have muscle dysmorphia, it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional.

How Can Men Prevent Muscle Dysmorphia?

There are a few things that men can do to prevent muscle dysmorphia. First, you should become familiar with the signs and symptoms of the disorder. Notice if everyone tells you how great you look yet you just think you’re super skinny. Notice if you feel like the obsessive thoughts about your body are keeping you from enjoying daily life. 

Second, you should strive to keep a healthy body image. This means not comparing yourself to others and not letting outside sources dictate how you feel about your body. Tell yourself in the mirror that you just look great! Notice the things about your body that you like. And remember that there is no perfect body since we are all different.

Third, you should exercise and eat in a healthy way. This means not over exercising or undereating in an attempt to achieve a certain body type. Exercise should feel good and energizing. If you feel terrible every day because of your fitness routine you are probably overdoing it.

Fourth, you should talk to someone if you start to feel like you are developing muscle dysmorphia. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or doctor. Talking to someone can help to get rid of the disorder before it becomes severe.

How Can Men Treat Muscle Dysmorphia?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to treat muscle dysmorphia may vary depending on the individual’s unique circumstances. However, some general tips on how men can treat muscle dysmorphia may include:

Seeking professional help from a mental health professional who is experienced in treating this condition: 

Therapists will treat muscle dysmorphia in the same way as body dysmorphic disorder since it is a subcategory of it. These treatments will generally include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). In CBT you challenge the thoughts that led you to think in the way you do and learn new healthier ways to think about your body. SSRIs are used more if the dysmorphia has led to moderate to severe anxiety or depression in order to balance the lack of serotonin in the brain.

Engaging in regular physical activity and exercise, as this can help to improve one’s body image and self-esteem: 

Now most of the time this isn’t going to help if the individual already is obsessive with the gym. However, if the individual lacks self esteem because of their body, it could help to exercise and gain muscle if they actually are skinny and frail. So if they obsess over their lack of muscle, it may help to work towards a body they want to have.

Avoiding comparing oneself to others, as this can trigger negative feelings and thoughts:

You will naturally compare yourself to others, but it may help to stop following the social media accounts that make you feel worse about yourself. Follow accounts that instead inspire you and help you to feel good. Think about how everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and that it is possible the people you envy have things they would envy about you. 

Practicing positive self-talk and affirmations:

Positive affirmations can be a powerful way to help change your perspective. These are positive statements that you can either read, listen to, or repeat to yourself in order to influence your thoughts in a positive way. Read more about affirmations here. 

You can also start to combat or redirect negative thoughts when they arise. So when you notice yourself thinking negatively about your body, redirect that to a positive one such as how someone said you looked good the other day. This done consistently can also help positive thoughts to come more naturally and reduce the frequency of negative ones.

Getting support from family and friends:

Let family and friends know about your problem. It can be helpful to be open about it so that others can help you in your journey. They can offer encouraging words and challenge you if you start to talk negatively about yourself. They can also hold you accountable for doing other things that will be beneficial in your treatment. 

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In conclusion, women are not the only ones who suffer from body dysmorphia. It happens to men just as much often in the form of muscle dysmorphia and can be just as distressing. Men shouldn’t be afraid to admit if this becomes a problem and to seek help when needed. I hope this article was able to shed light on an issue not commonly talked about and provide some guidance to those affected.