Muscle dysmorphia: current insights
David Tod1 Christian Edwards2 Ieuan Cranswick1 1School of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, 2Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Worcester, Worcestershire, UK Abstract: Since 1997, there has been inc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2016-08-01
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| Series: | Psychology Research and Behavior Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/muscle-dysmorphia-current-insights-peer-reviewed-article-PRBM |
| _version_ | 1818207632638345216 |
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| author | Tod D Edwards C Cranswick I |
| author_facet | Tod D Edwards C Cranswick I |
| author_sort | Tod D |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | David Tod1 Christian Edwards2 Ieuan Cranswick1 1School of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, 2Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Worcester, Worcestershire, UK Abstract: Since 1997, there has been increasing research focusing on muscle dysmorphia, a condition underpinned by people’s beliefs that they have insufficient muscularity, in both the Western and non-Western medical and scientific communities. Much of this empirical interest has surveyed nonclinical samples, and there is limited understanding of people with the condition beyond knowledge about their characteristics. Much of the existing knowledge about people with the condition is unsurprising and inherent in the definition of the disorder, such as dissatisfaction with muscularity and adherence to muscle-building activities. Only recently have investigators started to explore questions beyond these limited tautological findings that may give rise to substantial knowledge advances, such as the examination of masculine and feminine norms. There is limited understanding of additional topics such as etiology, prevalence, nosology, prognosis, and treatment. Further, the evidence is largely based on a small number of unstandardized case reports and descriptive studies (involving small samples), which are largely confined to Western (North American, British, and Australian) males. Although much research has been undertaken since the term “muscle dysmorphia” entered the psychiatric lexicon in 1997, there remains tremendous scope for knowledge advancement. A primary task in the short term is for investigators to examine the extent to which the condition exists among well-defined populations to help determine the justification for research funding relative to other public health issues. A greater variety of research questions and designs may contribute to a broader and more robust knowledge base than currently exists. Future work will help clinicians assist a group of people whose quality of life and health are placed at risk by their muscular preoccupation. Keywords: psychopathology, mental health, body image, self-perceptions |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:32:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e4d41454a39a49abacd7fab9600b817a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1578 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T04:32:01Z |
| publishDate | 2016-08-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Psychology Research and Behavior Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-e4d41454a39a49abacd7fab9600b817a2022-12-22T00:38:03ZengDove Medical PressPsychology Research and Behavior Management1179-15782016-08-012016Issue 117918828238Muscle dysmorphia: current insightsTod DEdwards CCranswick IDavid Tod1 Christian Edwards2 Ieuan Cranswick1 1School of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, 2Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Worcester, Worcestershire, UK Abstract: Since 1997, there has been increasing research focusing on muscle dysmorphia, a condition underpinned by people’s beliefs that they have insufficient muscularity, in both the Western and non-Western medical and scientific communities. Much of this empirical interest has surveyed nonclinical samples, and there is limited understanding of people with the condition beyond knowledge about their characteristics. Much of the existing knowledge about people with the condition is unsurprising and inherent in the definition of the disorder, such as dissatisfaction with muscularity and adherence to muscle-building activities. Only recently have investigators started to explore questions beyond these limited tautological findings that may give rise to substantial knowledge advances, such as the examination of masculine and feminine norms. There is limited understanding of additional topics such as etiology, prevalence, nosology, prognosis, and treatment. Further, the evidence is largely based on a small number of unstandardized case reports and descriptive studies (involving small samples), which are largely confined to Western (North American, British, and Australian) males. Although much research has been undertaken since the term “muscle dysmorphia” entered the psychiatric lexicon in 1997, there remains tremendous scope for knowledge advancement. A primary task in the short term is for investigators to examine the extent to which the condition exists among well-defined populations to help determine the justification for research funding relative to other public health issues. A greater variety of research questions and designs may contribute to a broader and more robust knowledge base than currently exists. Future work will help clinicians assist a group of people whose quality of life and health are placed at risk by their muscular preoccupation. Keywords: psychopathology, mental health, body image, self-perceptions https://www.dovepress.com/muscle-dysmorphia-current-insights-peer-reviewed-article-PRBMPsychopathologyMental healthBody imageSelf-perceptions |
| spellingShingle | Tod D Edwards C Cranswick I Muscle dysmorphia: current insights Psychology Research and Behavior Management Psychopathology Mental health Body image Self-perceptions |
| title | Muscle dysmorphia: current insights |
| title_full | Muscle dysmorphia: current insights |
| title_fullStr | Muscle dysmorphia: current insights |
| title_full_unstemmed | Muscle dysmorphia: current insights |
| title_short | Muscle dysmorphia: current insights |
| title_sort | muscle dysmorphia current insights |
| topic | Psychopathology Mental health Body image Self-perceptions |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/muscle-dysmorphia-current-insights-peer-reviewed-article-PRBM |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT todd muscledysmorphiacurrentinsights AT edwardsc muscledysmorphiacurrentinsights AT cranswicki muscledysmorphiacurrentinsights |