Vigorexia is muscle dysmorphia, a disorder characterized by obsessive concern about one's physique and a distorted body image. This term is not recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), but is commonly used.
This emotional or nervous disorder, which is not usually recognized as a disease by doctors, is more common in men than in women. Also known as the Adonis complex, vigorexia causes sufferers to perceive their physical characteristics in a distorted way.
Specifically, people who suffer from this disorder see themselves as thin and weak. Hence, they perform all kinds of actions to achieve the desired muscle mass.
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CAUSES OF VIGOREXIA
Among the causes that lead a person to be affected by this problem are primarily having an obsessive personality, especially with oneself, as well as suffering from various emotional problems in personal or professional relationships.
All of this without forgetting that, on other occasions, the reasons that cause someone to suffer from vigorexia are physiological problems. Specifically, it is believed that it can be caused by various disorders in the central nervous system.
MAIN SYMPTOMS
Among the main symptoms that indicate someone has this disorder are low self-esteem, constantly weighing themselves, self-medicating, an absolute obsession with body worship, a disproportionately sized body, a completely distorted view of their physical condition, or beginning to isolate themselves socially.
Vigorexics feel they lack muscle and tone; Therefore, they have an obsession with physical exercise that allows them to improve their physical appearance. These exercises are performed compulsively until the body loses its normal proportions.
In many cases, physical exercise is complemented by the use of steroids or anabolic steroids that contribute to muscle growth. In this way, vigorexia becomes even more dangerous, as the abuse of these substances increases the risk of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and other diseases.
Compulsive physical activity and the use of anabolic steroids are also often combined with an unbalanced diet, with a consumption of foods high in protein and carbohydrates, which can lead to metabolic disorders.
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CONSEQUENCES OF VIGOREXIA
There are many serious negative consequences that a person suffering from anorexia can experience, not only due to excessive exercise but also due to poor diet and the abuse of anabolic steroids. However, among all of these, the most notable are fluid retention, acne, and heart problems.
It should also be noted that women who suffer from this disorder may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, while men may experience testicular atrophy or a decrease in sperm count.
It is believed that four out of every 10,000 people suffer from bigorexia, with those with low self-esteem and a tendency toward addictive behavior being more likely to suffer from it. Treatment for bigorexia is primarily psychological, helping the person overcome their fear of failure and improve their self-esteem.