What is Bigorexia
or The Adonis Complex?

Signs of Bigorexia

• Overexerting themselves at the gym
• Working out compulsively
• Use of steroids
• Excessively looking at their body in the mirror
• Abuse of supplements and constantly drinking protein shakes
• Irritability and angry outbursts
• Depression and mania
• Panicking if a gym session is missed

Causes of Bigorexia

Unfortunately, experts don’t have a clear understanding of what causes bigorexia or muscle dysmorphia just yet but like other compulsive disorders, research suggests that there are a number of factors which could contribute to it:

• Genetics – those who have a relative suffering from the condition may be more likely to develop it
• Brain differences – it’s thought that people with muscle dysmorphia may have insufficient levels of serotonin which is an important transmitter in the brain that affects mood and well-being
• Environment – childhood environment, family issues, bullying, emotional trauma and cultural factors may increase a person’s risk of developing the condition

According to Julie Alvira, MD: 

Bigorexia––Adonis Complex

A type of body dysmorphic disorder known as bigorexia, reverse anorexia or Adonis complex is becoming very popular among men gym goers. It is widely known that for many men muscularity equals masculinity. A man with bigorexia is not the typical person that seeks to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is the male bodybuilder that becomes obsessed with his body because he is unhappy, one whom sometimes seeks injectable anabolic steroids, chest implants, and other type of cosmetic procedures to feed an emotional emptiness, which in some cases can be an underlying depression. Bigorexia can be misdiagnosed because there are a great number of men who just want to improve their physical appearance to attract partners. The problem here is when a vicious circle forms. According to Brown University, the more a person focuses on his body, the worse he tends to feel about how he looks. There are a number of factors that can lead to body dissatisfaction ranging from the comments of family and friends to deeper emotional issues such as different kinds of abuse, discrimination, and sensory experiences.

Nowadays, exposures like social media does not help because of the increase popularity of body image acceptance and idealization of bodies leading to an increase comparison of a person’s body to others. A study at Stanford University showed that when a man feels uncomfortably obsessed with his body, sometimes it can result in sexual problems and risky behaviors.

Dr. Murray, a clinical psychologist explains that unless a man acknowledges the problem and seeks help, treatment can’t be offered. In our society, it is very hard for this kind of man to seek help because of the “no pain, no gain” mentality and masculinity. If treatment occurs, it is done with the same techniques used to treat anorexia disorders. On the other hand, recent research by Phillips (2015) in the American Journal of Psychiatry presents that body dysmorphic disorder in general, is related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and benefits from psychosocial treatment and motivational interviewing techniques to engage and retain patients in treatment. Both disorders have many similarities but also differences that are still under research to find better approaches to the underlying symptoms and causes.