Talk about being healthy, rather than what is being portrayed as normal. By Sally Atwood CWK Network Bigorexia, also known as muscle dysmorphia, can be thought of as a reverse form of anorexia nervosa. People with muscle dysmorphia obsess about being small and underdeveloped. The disorder can occur even when a person has a very muscular body. In an effort to achieve the societal perception of the 'perfect body,' people with bigorexia lift weights, do resistance training and exercise compulsively.
Some individuals resort to the use of steroids to help build up their muscles.
The inordinate amount of time spent exercising affects social relationships and can interfere with work and school. Bigorexic individuals may also exhibit feelings of shame and embarrassment in relation to their perception of their bodies. Warning Signs People with bigorexia often are unable to recognize that they have a problem. It is important for family members to be aware of possible signs of this disorder. Feeling very anxious around other people and avoiding social situations because of the misperception of having a small or underdeveloped body.