Vigorexia is part of the eating disorders, why, what is it and what are its causes? An expert explains it to you.
The vigorexia or Adonis complex is defined as a alteration of one’s own body image; that is, in the way the person perceives or believes his body looks, underestimating size and strength, in such a way that you feel small muscle size and weak.
Consequently, the person develops obsessive compensatory behaviors such as strict diets, excessive exercise, and abuse of substances such as anabolic steroids.
Regarding epidemiology, it is estimated that approximately 10% of people who exercise suffer from this disorder and 80% of the affected population are men. Additionally, it is observed that it occurs especially among 18 and 25 years.
Causes
The explanations for the origin of this disorder are usually varied, but some common precipitating and maintaining factors are observed in the literature:
- Precipitants: low self-esteem and negative self-perception.
- Maintainers: obsessive and compulsive behaviors with a specific goal such as extreme food restriction, substance addiction, and dependence on physical exercise.
How is it related to food? Find out.
Symptoms
The main symptoms associated with vigorexia are the following:
- Performing physical exercise with specific goal of achieving greater muscle mass to the one you already have.
- Thoughts that revolve around Exercising interferes with other areas of functioning such as work, family or relationship.
- Beliefs that you do not have enough muscle or strengthwhich leads the person to improve these qualities without reaching a satisfactory level.
- Carrying out restrictive diets where there is an obsession or concern constant for not complying with the foods or the amounts of nutrients required.
- Appearance of repetitive behaviors such as frequently looking in the mirrorcomparing yourself to others, or repetitive concerns about your appearance and how you are observed by others.
- Addictive consumption of metabolizing substances such as steroids, minimizing the negative consequences of their consumption.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis is usually made based on a semi-structured interview carried out by a specialist in psychology or psychiatry. This evaluation process can be supported by the application of the Adonis Questionnaire or the Muscle Satisfaction Scale (ESM), which seek to assess the cognitive, behavioral and affective aspects of people who have vigorexia.
Regarding treatment, the literature refers to a special emphasis on discovering the distortions or cognitive errors that the person has regarding their own image; Among the main distortions the following have been detected:
- Dichotomous thinkingin such a way that one is ugly or one is pretty.
- Failure to appreciate the positive aspects of the image itself.
- Selective comparison with people who have greater strength or size.
- Search for an impossible ideal.
- Extreme hold in some specific aspect of the physical image.
In addition to restructuring these thoughts, the treatment seeks psychoeducate to the patient regarding exercise and maintaining proper health, modify thoughts and feelings about one’s own body and obsessive-compulsive behaviors risky. Some treatments contain nutritional and medical support regarding the use of anabolic substances.
Finally, it is necessary to mention that, like other disorders, there is a risk of relapse, which is why treatment considers the development of early warnings that allow the patient to detect the reappearance of symptoms.
References
- Castro López, R., Molero, D., Cachón Zagalaz, J., & Zagalaz Sánchez, J. (2014). Personality factors and bodybuilding: Indicators associated with vigorexia. Journal of Sports Psychology, 23, 295 – 300.
- Kasanzew, A. (2009). Vigorexia: Clinical theoretical approaches. Belgrano University. Martel Alonso, C. (2006). Vigorexia: Disorder or adaptation. Buenos Aires Digital Magazine.
- Muñoz Sánchez, R., & Martínez Moreno, A. (2007). Orthorexia and vigorexia: New eating disorders? Eating disorders, 457-482.
- Pejenaute, E.G., & Pejenaute Labari, M.H. (2018). Vigorexia. Continuing Medical Training in Primary Care, 25, 262-269.
- Rodriguez Molina, J.M. (2007). Vigorexia: Obsession, addiction or dysmorphia. An attempt at an approach. Health and Drugs, 7, 289 – 308.