The impact of the pursuit of perfection

Astoundingly, muscle dysmorphia impacts 1 in 10 gym goers. This condition also goes by the name ‘Bigorexia’ and is a form of body dysmorphia that disproportionately affects gym goers. It can be summarised as an obsession and preoccupation with getting ‘bigger’ by gaining muscle.  

Muscle Dysmorphia means that those affected:  

  • Never feel ‘big’ or muscular enough 
  • Become fixated on their diets or taking a supplement
  • Obsessively check muscle mass or appearance  
  • Are prone to low mood and anger because of low self-esteem

 “I could critique myself all day... how can anyone love or enjoy what is here... it’s a detriment to my mental state”- a muscle dysmorphia sufferer 

While this is most prevalent in men, with 0.5% of men being affected, studies also found female bodybuilders are particularly at risk of developing this condition. Strength athletes and bodybuilders are especially susceptible to muscle dysmorphia. Especially with bodybuilding, as a magnifying glass is cast on the physical appearance of those competing, meaning intense comparisons among competitors are ever-present.  

Muscle dysmorphia can manifest in:  

  • Obsessive mirror-checking  
  • Exercising too much for too long, pushing yourself beyond your body’s limit
  • Feeling you can’t skip a gym session
  • Restrictive eating, obsessing over intake 
  • Becoming more self-conscious and introverted, as you feel everyone is looking at and judging your appearance

If left untreated and unaddressed, muscle dysmorphia can then escalate into steroid and supplement abuse which have a detrimental impact on the mental health of those suffering with the condition.  

Steroids are used to enhance performance and the building of muscle beyond a natural level. This is done by increasing testosterone levels and stimulating the growth of muscles- and can either be injected into muscles or taken orally in tablet form.  

The negative effects of steroid use include:  

  • Heart attacks  
  • Strokes
  • Infertility
  • Addiction
  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Aggressive behaviour
One steroid user remarked that their steroid use was as a consequence of being bullied for being small when they were young, which sparked feelings of inadequacy. They began working out and ‘locking themselves away in a gym’ to cope with their feelings, which then escalated to steroid abuse. Men across the board are highly affected by this, with over 500,000 young men at risk of being impacted by steriod addiction.  

Ultimately, this all goes back to mental health. If we address the narrative around how and why we train, we can then build a better relationship with exercise and our body image. The pursuit of perfection has no destination, as perfection simply does not exist.  

There are countless motivations for exercise that are productive, such as:  

  • To keep healthy and increase fitness levels 
  • To get stronger
  • To improve your mental health from endorphins produced by exercise
  • To keep up with the demands of parenthood or even your job if it’s physical
  • To remain agile and healthier for longer
  • Simply because you enjoy it

 It becomes damaging when these motivations become more about addressing your shortcomings - rather than bettering yourself more generally. The way we speak to ourselves around exercise is so important - for example, observe the difference between:  

“I’m so weak, I need to train extra hard to be as strong as everyone else”  

“I did well today, considering where I started with strength training! I’ll aim for a new PB next time.” 

Discourse around exercise and fitness should always be constructive - not destructive. 

If you feel you’re starting to struggle with your relationship to exercise and your body image, don’t suffer in silence. We’ve compiled some resources that will allow you to access practical help:  

  • SHOUT- for free, 24/7, confidential mental health support via text  
  • BEAT- information and support for those suffering with eating disorders  
  • MIND- information and support for anyone suffering with a mental illness or for those caring for them 

As always, it’s crucial to seek help from your GP if you experience symptoms of muscle dysmorphia and call 999 if you are beginning to feel unwell after using steroids.