The Disordered-Eating, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Body Dysmorphic Characteristics of Muscle Dysmorphia: A Bimodal Perspective

Abstract

Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is a proposed subtype of body dysmorphic disorder whereby individuals have a pathological preoccupation with their muscular build and leanness. MD remains an under-recognized and misunderstood disorder, and is currently disputed in the extant literature. This paper proposes that MD be reanalyzed through a bimodal lens that accounts for the diverse, spectrum-based characteristics of the disorder while concomitantly considering for the temporal, continuum-based characteristics of the disorder as a means to better contextualize the operationalization of MD symptoms. It is suggested that MD behaviors exist in cyclical formats of both severity and practice whereby the goals of the individual influence the nature and activities illustrative of MD. Therefore, it is theoretically plausible to consider MD behaviors in a bimodal perspective where frequency as well as severity are salient factors. Future research should address the temporal, continuum-based component of MD through increased longitudinal and qualitative studies.