How do clinicians in the field conceptualise muscle dysmorphia?

Abstract

Objective: Muscle dysmorphia is a relatively recently identified psychiatric condition, whose precise nosological nature remains unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the diagnostic conceptualisation of muscle dysmorphia amongst a group of clinical practitioners.

Method: A clinical vignette, which ambiguously depicted the features of muscle dysmorphia in either male or female cases, was presented to a group of 100 clinical practitioners, who provided preliminary diagnoses based on the symptoms depicted. Results: The majority of clinicians conceptualised this cluster of symptoms as an eating disorder phenotype, as opposed to variants of either body dysmorphic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder. Conclusions: These findings provide some support for the notion that muscle dysmorphia may best be conceptualised as an eating disorder phenotype. The findings are discussed in light of their clinical implications.

Keywords:

• muscle dysmorphia
• male eating disorder
• male body image
• DSM-5

Notes on contributors

Stuart B. Murray, DClinPsych, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specialising in male body image and family therapy. He is currently involved in several international research projects and serves as the Director of Family Therapy at the Redleaf Practice, and is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney.

Stephen Touyz, PhD, FAED, is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Honorary Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Sydney. Professor Touyz is also co-editor of the Journal of Eating Disorders and is a previous President of the Eating Disorder Research Society.