This is how vigorexia affects mental health

Vigorexia emphasizes the excessive concern that the patient feels for his physical appearance. and for the image it projects to others. You do not see a real and accurate perspective of his body. This one always seems to show potential for improvement. More specifically, he thinks he doesn't look muscular enough. The patient suffers from a muscular dysmorphia that conditions his lifestyle.

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How does vigorexia affect the patient's lifestyle?

Their eating habits and the excessive practice of physical exercise are aligned with one intention: to enhance muscle mass. That is, there is no balance and moderation in the exercise routine. In this way, the person dedicates more and more time to sport. Instead, he reduces the time he spends with his friends and loved ones.

Social life is damaged for another relevant reason: the patient also Significantly change your eating habits. It is usual that you prefer to avoid those gastronomic plans and family events that revolve around the table. Obsession not only affects the quality of personal life. Its level of impact transcends the links with others.

Thus, can interfere negatively in the sentimental relationship. The other person may feel that his partner is not spending the necessary time. Similarly, you may notice frequent mood swings and misunderstand some behaviors. These variations produce unexpected turns in conversations and coexistence.

His own professional development may be conditioned by this issue, since he suffers from an obsession that affects his concentration, motivation, productivity and performance. Vigorexia limits your current reality, but it also interferes with your long-term job development (if the situation continues over time).

There is an apparent search for physical perfection that, however, is never reached in a definitive way. Person looks at the reflection of your body in the mirror to perform numerous checks on your appearance.

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A damaged self-esteem

The patient who has developed vigorexia tends to have low self-esteem. There is an important link between the physical and psychological levels. The patient tends to associate a muscular appearance with strength, confidence, and security. Conversely, a thin body seems to project an image of weakness and vulnerability.

When the person observes his reflection in the mirror, he focuses mainly on those defects and imperfections that he perceives from his point of view. That is, compare your current image with the ideal that you want to achieve in the short term. And directs all his efforts in that direction. Thus, sport is not a source of well-being, joy and enjoyment. In fact, it is common for you to experience a feeling of guilt when you do not comply with the planned plan during a day.

Even when the person is not exercising, he is very aware of his own body condition. Many of his thoughts revolve around this issue, for example, he sets new goals in his training. Maybe I'll readjust his schedule to spend more time on the sport.

Intrusive and recurring thoughts They can break in at any time. However, the suffering caused by these thoughts is not permanently alleviated through the habits adopted. The person lives in a permanent state of dissatisfaction with respect to her own body image.

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Does not realistically observe their bodily or personal characteristics

He has a distorted and negative physical self-concept. It is convenient to go a step further to understand the impact that this situation produces on the patient. His desire to perfect his physical appearance hides an important search for recognition and approval. For this reason, vigorexia can also lead to the avoidance of some social plans when personal dissatisfaction increases the fear of rejection. This disorder is known as the Adonis Complex.

The person does not maintain a friendly relationship with their own body, nor with sport. The exercise routine becomes an absolute must to the point that it is likely that the time spent in the gym will increase. That is, it increases the level of dependence on sport.

It is important not to interpret any possible symptom in a personal way. That is to say, the exact diagnosis should be made by a professional who knows the patient's history. According to the DSM-5, a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, this concept is integrated into body dysmorphic disorder. The obsession revolves around the recurring idea that the physical structure is small.