Our culture has become fairly open about discussing unrealistic body and beauty standards. Body image issues have become more common in recent years, largely because social media and edited celebrity photos leave us feeling insecure and overly critical of how we look.
The long-standing pressure on women to look a certain way has been a public concern for some time. What isn’t talked about enough is the rise of body dysmorphia among men.
What is body dysmorphic disorder?
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you can’t stop obsessing over one or more perceived flaws in your appearance, even if they’re minor or invisible to others. When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you stress over your appearance and body image, checking the mirror, grooming and seeking reassurance repeatedly throughout the day, often for many hours. The perceived flaw and the repeated behaviours cause a lot of distress and make it hard to function in everyday life.
How body dysmorphia shows up in men
For men with body dysmorphic disorder, the most common concerns are the skin (for example, acne or scarring), hair (thinning), the nose (size or shape) or the genitals.
Preoccupation with appearance is hard to resist or control, and it can take up a lot of time each day. In an attempt to examine, fix or hide the “defect”, nearly all men with body dysmorphic disorder engage in repeated, time-consuming behaviours.
Muscle dysmorphia, or “bigorexia”
According to a study published in 2019, 22% of men can be diagnosed with “muscularity-oriented disordered eating”. Another study in the United Kingdom found that one in ten men experiences “muscle dysmorphia”, often called “bigorexia” or “reverse anorexia”.
Muscle dysmorphia is known to be the most common form of body dysmorphic disorder in men. People with it often fear they aren’t muscular enough, though it can also be about leanness. This can lead to an unhealthy fixation on diet and exercise, which can seriously affect daily life while being hidden behind the excuse of a “healthy lifestyle”.
Common symptoms of muscle dysmorphia
- Feeling compelled to work out every day
- Not taking a break to rest, even when injured or sick
- Constantly checking your physical appearance
- Spending hours in the gym every day
- Neglecting other responsibilities to work out
- Using anabolic steroids and other sports supplements
Height dysmorphia and male pattern baldness
Height dysmorphia is another form of body dysmorphic disorder that typically affects men. People with it find their height a source of distress. It is more common in people who think they’re too short, but some people believe they are too tall. Many people with height dysmorphia turn to limb lengthening or shortening surgery to change their height, which can lead to a range of complex problems.
Male pattern baldness is another body dysmorphia concern that men face at every age. It can begin unexpectedly in early adulthood, and realising it is happening can be alarming and hard to accept. Many hair-loss treatments are available, but they do not address the extreme preoccupation and distress that come with body dysmorphic disorder.
Why men's body image needs more conversation
These are only some of the body image issues men face. There is very little conversation about this, especially in India, because of deep-rooted toxic masculinity and stigma.
Unrealistic physique and beauty standards for men and women aren’t going away anytime soon, so we need to learn to talk about them in healthy, constructive ways. Many women have fought hard to resist cultural pressure to fit the mould of ideal beauty. Men are newer to this fight and lack the resources to push back in the same way.
FAQs
What is the most common type of body dysmorphia in men?
Muscle dysmorphia, sometimes called “bigorexia”, is known to be the most common form in men. It involves a fear of not being muscular or lean enough.
Can body dysmorphia be treated?
Yes. With the right treatment, it is possible to overcome it and build a healthier relationship with food, exercise and your body.
When to seek help for body dysmorphia
The first step is to recognise there is a problem and talk about it openly. If you notice some of these symptoms in yourself, it’s important to seek help: the effects of body dysmorphia can be serious for both your mental and physical health. If you’re unsure, these signs you might benefit from therapy can help you decide.
Because the disorder is not well understood, many people go untreated, but with the right support recovery is possible. Speak to one of our therapists for adults: book a session or call the Trijog helpline on 1800 202 7180.
