Bigorexia: what is it and how to cure this eating disorder

Individuals with bigorexia , also known as vigoressia , are convinced that they are always too thin and flaccid. Moreover, the vigoressico tries to conform to the unreal model of a man full of muscles , spread by max media and the web. The bigoressia is an eating disorder, which takes its name from the big “big” and orex “appetite” and is the “hunger for a muscular body.” Consequently, in order to build a massive musculature, the sufferer of bigoressia adopts a high-protein diet , almost devoid of carbohydrates and hydration.

In addition, a flat stomach, a turtle abdomen, hypertrophied biceps and toned muscles are obtained by the subject with long and exhausting sessions in the gym.

Not only that, to sculpt the perfect figure, patients abuse steroid supplements and anabolic steroids , which increase lean mass but are toxic. Bigorexia mainly affects men, but today it also affects women, who want to look like males.

The causes of the disease are psychosocial so that the disorder is called the “Adonis complex” . The identification in the mythological character, synonymous with male beauty, originates from the “physical inferiority complex”, at the origin of bigorexia.

Therefore, the patient constantly looks at himself in the mirror and always sees himself thin, even if he has well-formed muscles. Not only that, the obsession of the muscular body leads the bigoressico to isolation and mental and physical disorders . Especially the anabolics make the subject’s kidneys , liver and cardiovascular system ill , which can lead to premature death.

The treatment of bigorexia is based on nutritional re-education and on cognitive-behavioral therapy.

However, prevention should be given above all to the school which should teach young people the correct diet for sport and the symptoms of bigorexia.