Muscle Dysmorphia: An Overview of Clinical Features and Treatment Options

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Body Image Research

Background:

• Growing public and empirical attention on male body image highlights muscularity concerns.
• Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is a severe psychiatric disorder defined by an intense preoccupation with insufficient muscularity.
• Limited evidence currently informs effective treatment strategies for MD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical characteristics of muscle dysmorphia.
• To highlight the preoccupation, functional impairment, and psychiatric comorbidities associated with MD.
• To propose evidence-informed treatment directions for MD, drawing from related disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical features of muscle dysmorphia.
• Discussion of psychotherapeutic techniques, including cognitive restructuring and dialectical behavior therapy.
• Exploration of psychopharmacological treatment options.

Main Results:

• Muscle dysmorphia involves significant preoccupation, functional impairment, and psychiatric comorbidities.
• Cognitive restructuring and dialectical behavioral techniques show promise for treating MD.
• Psychopharmacological interventions may also play a role in MD treatment.

Conclusions:

• Effective treatment for muscle dysmorphia is critical but currently lacks robust evidence.
• Drawing from treatments for body dysmorphic disorder and anorexia nervosa offers potential therapeutic avenues.
• Integrated psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological approaches are recommended for MD management.