Bigarexia: Mental Health Disorder Common in Teenage Boys

Symptoms, Complications & Treatment

In the United States, there is a growing epidemic among teenagers, especially boys, involving a combination of an eating disorder and a bodily image disorder known as Bigarexia. As the parent of a teenager, it is important to understand the warning signs of Bigarexia and seek out the appropriate medical treatment for your teenager when symptoms of this disorder are present as, without treatment, your child's growth and development may be impeded.

Bigarexia, also known as muscle dysmorphia, is a complete contrast to anorexia. In the mental health complication known as bigarexia, the teenager who suffers from this eating disorder and bodily image complication will commonly obsess about their size, worrying they are too small when compared to their peers. In boys, the presence of bigarexia commonly leads to steroid abuse and abuse of fitness routines and other programs which promote fitness.

In addition to steroid abuse, teenagers who suffer from bigarexia often try compensating for their perceived small body frame by obsessing over fitness activities, lifting weights tirelessly and become consumed with protein and other supplements designed to build body mass such as creatine and ephedrine. These products, when used inappropriately, can lead to life altering complications in the teenager, resulting in cardiovascular complications including death.

When not treated appropriately, teenagers who suffer from bigarexia commonly experience mental health complications, eventually becoming isolated away from their peer social networks. Because they are perceived as being overly concerned about their body image, other teenagers may even believe this teenager is conceited or narcissistic, which only compounds the health complication.

To treat a teenager with bigarexia, a combination approach is required. While many teenagers understand the risks associated with steroid use, they will continue to use steroids in light of the dangers to their health. Treatment of bigarexia, therefore, usually begins with a focus on weaning the teenager, safely, from the use of steroids.