Vigorexia: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Vigorexia is a condition in which a person is constantly dissatisfied with their body, seeing themselves as very thin and weak when in fact they are strong and have well-developed muscles.

This disorder is more common in men between 18 and 35 years old and leads to exhaustive physical exercise, always with increased load, in addition to excessive concern about diet and use of anabolic steroids, which can pose risks to health.

It is important that a person with vigorexia is accompanied by a psychologist, nutritionist and physical education professional so that they receive adequate support to alleviate the symptoms of the condition and lead a healthier life.

Symptoms of vigorexia

The main symptoms of vigorexia are:

• Dissatisfaction with one’s own body, and the person may not recognize themselves in the mirror;
• Practice intense and excessive physical activity;
• Feeling of inferiority, due to dissatisfaction with the body;
• Persistent muscle pain throughout the body;
• Excessive tiredness;
• Irritability;
• Depression;
• Insomnia;
• Lack of interest in practicing other activities that are not related to physical activity;
• Lower performance during intimate contact.

Normally, people with vigorexia adopt a very restrictive diet and do not consume fats, with the diet strictly focused on the consumption of foods rich in proteins, with the aim of increasing muscle mass. It is also common to overuse anabolic steroids and protein supplements, in addition to spending hours at the gym, always increasing the exercise load.

Main causes

Vigorexia is a psychological disorder and is believed to occur due to some change related to the neurotransmitters of the central nervous system, as some reported cases of vigorexia were preceded by diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis.

In addition to the neurological cause, vigorexia is also associated with the adoption, by many people, of a body pattern and, as a result, they end up becoming obsessed with exercise and nutrition with the aim of achieving the body they consider ideal.

Excessive concern about healthy eating, known as orthorexia, is also a psychological disorder and is characterized by a lack of variety in the diet due to excessive concern about the purity of food and the non-consumption of foods of animal origin. Learn how to identify orthorexia.

Make an appointment with the nearest psychologist to investigate the cause of the symptoms and thus have better guidance:

Consequences of vigorexia

Vigorexia can have some health consequences, such as:

• Renal insufficiency;
• Liver failure;
• Changes in circulation;
• Anxiety and depression;
• Increased risk of prostate cancer;
• Testicle reduction, which can interfere with male fertility

The consequences of vigorexia are mainly related to the frequent and continuous use of anabolic steroid hormones and protein food supplements.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of vigorexia is carried out by a multidisciplinary team, such as a doctor, psychologist, nutritionist and physical education professionals, for example. Psychotherapy is extremely important in the treatment of vigorexia, as it aims to allow the person to accept themselves as they are and increase their self-esteem.

It is also recommended to suspend the use of anabolic steroids and protein supplements and have a balanced diet guided by a nutritionist. In addition, it may be recommended to take serotonin-based medications to control depression and anxiety as well as other symptoms related to obsessive compulsive behavior. Understand what serotonin is and what it is for.

Physical exercise should not be interrupted, however, it should be done under the guidance of a physical education professional.