The Unprofessional Guide to muscle dysmorphic disorder

Chapter 1: What Is muscle dysmorphic disorder, Really?

Important notice: This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read in this guide.

So. You just got told you have muscle dysmorphic disorder. Maybe you had a suspicion that something was off. Maybe you thought you were just dedicated. Maybe you feel like the doctor is reading the wrong chart. Whatever is running through your head right now, let's start with a deep breath. You are not crazy. You are not a bad person. And you are not alone.

Let's unpack this name first, because it's a mouthful and half the battle is just being able to say it without tripping. "Muscle dysmorphic disorder" sounds like a medical term from a sci-fi film, but it breaks down pretty simply. "Dysmorphic" comes from Greek and basically means "bad shape" or "misshapen." It's a term used to describe a condition where your brain has a distorted view of how your body actually looks. In muscle dysmorphic disorder, that distortion specifically revolves around your muscles and how big, strong, or lean you appear to be.

This disorder is also known by a couple of other names you might have heard — "bigorexia" or "reverse anorexia." That's because it's like someone took the experience of anorexia and flipped it. Instead of