The Adonis Complex

Adonis Complex

• Extreme body image concerns are no longer confined to women.

• There is a growing trend of body image dissatisfaction and distortion among males.

Adonis Complex

• A growing number of boys and men are endangering their health by engaging in excessive exercise, binging and purging rituals, steroid abuse, and overuse of nutritional and dietary supplements in an attempt to alter their appearance.

Muscle Dysmorphia

Signs and symptoms

• Preoccupation with the idea that he is not sufficiently lean and muscular.– Frequent weighing– Constant checking of appearance in

mirrors/windows– Wearing clothing to either hide lack of muscle,

or to accentuate muscularity

Muscle Dysmorphia

• Impairment of social, occupational, or personal relationships– Gives up important social, occupational, or recreational

activities because of compulsive need to maintain exercise and dietary regimen

– Obsessively anxious about appearance when interacting with others

– Continuation of exercise, diet, or use of performance-enhancing drugs/supplements despite knowledge of adverse physical and/or psychological consequences

Muscle Dysmorphia

• Engages in – excessive exercise,

– demonstrates preoccupation with food, follows strict dietary regimens

• (e.g., avoiding specific foods or groups of foods, maintaining excessively low-fat or high-protein diets),

– or abuses steroids and/or dietary supplements,• particularly those aimed at increasing body size (e.g.,

creatine, HMB, DHEA, Androstendione) and/or decreasing body fat (e.g., ephedra, Ma Huang, Guarana).

Signs and Symptoms

• Behavioral– Preoccupation with food and calories– Criticism of body weight, composition, or

shape– Frequent mood swings– Depression– Social withdrawal/isolation– Relentless/Excessive exercise

Signs and Symptoms

• Behavioral– Avoiding food-related social activities– Frequent bathroom visits after eating– Strict dieting followed by eating binges– Expressions of extreme guilt after eating– Excessive fear of becoming fat– Excessive laxative, diuretic, diet pill, and/or

weight loss supplement use

Signs and Symptoms

• Behavioral– Secretly eating or stealing food– Consumption of large amounts of food not

consistent with the athlete’s weight.

• Physiological– Large and/or rapid weight loss– Frequent musculoskeletal injuries (particularly

stress fractures)

Signs and Symptoms

• Physiological– Delayed/prolonged wound and/or injury

healing– Cold intolerance– Anemia– Chronic fatigue– Decrease sex drive– Frequent sore throats

Signs and Symptoms

• Physiological– Frequent bloodshot and/or swollen eyes– Callused fingers– Dehydration– Electrolyte imbalances– Frequent gastrointestinal problems– Tooth erosion, excessive dental carries

Discussion

• This problem is going unrecognized.

• Men and boys are not receiving the treatment they need.