Bodybuilding Obsession Leading To 'Bigorexia'

[Jazzy]

A potentially dangerous obsession with bodybuilding is increasing among men, according to experts.

Muscle dysmorphia has been described as a reverse form of anorexia, with sufferers believing they are never muscular enough.

Relatively little is known about the disorder, nicknamed 'bigorexia', as it was only formally recognised by doctors in 1997.

Dr Stuart Murray, a world expert on muscle dysmorphia, has estimated around 1% of the UK population has the illness or symptoms of it, but that could be just a fraction of the real picture because many sufferers are too ashamed to seek treatment.

"When we look at the literature over the last three decades we've seen the number of men dissatisfied with their body triple," he said.

"There's data suggesting men would be prepared to sacrifice years off their life for bigger biceps for instance which wasn't even heard of in the 70s or 80s, in the lay public at least."

Sufferers often adopt strict dietary regimes and would find it terrifying to miss a gym session.

Dr Murray said: "A gentleman I was working with had a broken wrist and he continued to train because the pain of potentially losing muscle far outweighed the pain of training with a broken wrist."

Edouard 'Spyk' Gheur, a former Hollywood stuntman, bodybuilder and model, used to consume 10,000 calories per day and spend six hours a day, six days a week in the gym.

But despite being 18 stone and abnormally muscular in the eyes of those around him, he still felt small.

He told Sky News: "I just never felt big enough. Every morning I'd wake up go to the bathroom and look in the mirror and I was thinking 'I need to be bigger'."

But his obsession came to a dramatic end when he suffered a heart attack after years of using steroids to help him achieve his impossible goal.

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Are you into bodybuilding?

Do you think bodybuilders go too far?

Do you think bodybuilders look attractive?

 

[Evil Eye]

No.
I guess.
Not really.

Bodybuilding sounds healthier than starving yourself but...

 

[Sinon]

Bodybuilding is gross. I don't understand the attraction to it at all. You end up looking awful, and in fact physically frightening.

Not to mention it's HORRIBLE for you. I don't know too much about the male side of things, but as a woman, bodybuilding can completely halt your menstruation and cause irreparable damage. It's honestly one of the worst things you can do to your body.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Are you into bodybuilding?
no

Do you think bodybuilders go too far?
yes

Do you think bodybuilders look attractive?
no

 

[Jazzy]

Are you into bodybuilding?
no

Do you think bodybuilders go too far?
yes

Do you think bodybuilders look attractive?
no

Same answers as Nebulous.

 

[.Xstinct]

Are you into bodybuilding?
Nope fitness is enough for me.

Do you think bodybuilders go too far?
How bigger the muscles...the smaller the... yep way too far.

Do you think bodybuilders look attractive?
Nope especially female ones,they scare the crap out of me.