Vigorexia has become a “classic”. Every year we see how months before the start of the summer period, textile, aesthetic, dietary, and sports marketing increases exponentially, coinciding with many people’s concern to display a body according to stipulated beauty standards. This fact, in principle, is not harmful, and can even produce a beneficial effect by encouraging us to take care of our diet and increase our physical exercise.
But what happens when these practices, initially healthy, lead to serious perceptual distortions? One can develop vigorexia, a pattern that, as we will see, accumulates a very specific variety of symptoms, the main one being concern for body image. Entering an obsessive dynamic to develop a certain muscular development in men, and not thinness, an aspect that, however, does stand out in women (Leit et al 2002). In this sense, the lack of social awareness outside healthcare settings about the problem is alarming, as we see campaigns criticizing the pressure on the female model and warning about its pathological consequences (Anorexia and Bulimia nervosa) but practically no action regarding the male model.
Vigorexia: Characteristics
Lacking a more definitive classification, vigorexia could best be categorized near body dysmorphic disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as it overlaps with the proposed criteria, such as preoccupation with an imagined defect in physical appearance, this concern being clearly excessive and causing clinically significant distress.
Vigorexic individuals do not perceive the size and shape of their body correctly, aspects they share with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
Likewise, we could also take characteristic guidelines from obsessive-compulsive disorders, since affected subjects embark on marathon exercise sessions, generally in gyms, mainly of anaerobic type. They perform these compulsive behaviors to reduce discomfort or prevent negative events (Andres, Lazaro, Canalda y Boget 2002).
Vigorexia and its risk profiles
The most common predisposition profile for developing vigorexia is that of a male between 18 and 35 years of age, embedded in a body-worshipping society, who shows obsessive-compulsive or addictive tendencies, and who has a history of negative experiences regarding his body or appearance, and who carries low self-esteem.
The vigorexic pattern will be sustained and supported by social reinforcement, with the negative reinforcement effect produced by escaping obsessive thoughts being psychologically central (Toro y Vilardell 1987). Regarding the social aspect, we know that access to the bodybuilding environment facilitates falling into this disorder, as participants in these groups show more body dissatisfaction compared to other athletes not dedicated to weightlifting activities, and suffer more eating behavior alterations and diet preoccupation (Goldfield, Harper y Blounin 1998).
Regarding the detection and assessment of the disorder’s degree of interference in the subject’s life, the use of the Adaptation of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination (BDDE) adapted from J.C.Rosen by R.M.Raich in Spain is of particular interest.
The danger of anabolics and Vigorexia
A characteristic danger of this disorder is the use of illegal substances to rapidly increase muscle mass. This consumption entails serious consequences for physical health, such as high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack; liver cancer; increased probability of HIV or hepatitis infection due to shared syringe use; tendon weakness and cessation of bone growth.
Nor should we forget the serious effects on mental health, among which suicidal tendencies, mania, delusions, and aggressiveness stand out.
The vigorexic pattern: Warning signs
We conclude with some brief points that may indicate the existence of this disorder, always subject to medical supervision due to its potential effects mentioned in the previous section, and naturally to psychological intervention, which will be fundamental for cognitively restructuring the subject and reducing their perceptual distortion, with multidisciplinary collaboration being highly desirable for the correct approach to the vigorexic condition. The signs are as follows:
-Social isolation reflected in the loss of partner, friends, family relationships, due to extreme behavior and dedication to training.
-Excessive time dedication. They pivot their entire life around training without being professionals in the field.
-Marked mood swings and psychological ups and downs without apparent cause.
-Permanent dissatisfaction with body figure. Inability to see oneself as one is. Use of special clothing and avoidance of situations where one’s body can be seen.
-Substance abuse to improve their body; we are not referring to mere supplements but to ergogenic substances such as steroids. This often correlates with economic, legal, and health problems.
Finally, it is essential to remember that this is a complex disorder, multi-causal and that probably entails other deficits. We should not oversimplify observation with naive labels; for example, there is no defined time limit, one can be very healthy spending half a day at the gym or be vigorexic dedicating a few hours a day. A global assessment must be carried out, and professional clinical judgment should always be sought.
This disorder and many others are studied in the Master in Clinical and Health Psychology.