Vigorexic People Develop Visible Symptoms And Characteristics In Accordance With Exercise Addiction

Carlos Gerardo Balderas Campuzano

Vigorexic victims develop characteristics and symptoms according to the development of the Vigorexia disease. The result of Vigorexia disease can be an irreversible gym addiction.
The principal characteristic of Vigorexia is that its victims have a psychological obsession with looking at themselves in the mirror constantly.
Vigorexics never think they are too muscular or muscular enough to meet their expectations.

According to an investigation of The American Psychiatrist Harrison G. Pope from the Medicine college of Havard, Massachusetts:

“Symptoms of Vigorexia can be noted because of the obsession. The Vigorexics look at the mirror and imagine themselves far from their ideals. This means that they usually spend hours at gyms trying to increase muscular size” http://www.scribd.com/doc/16089992/Vigorexy

Another of the characteristics of Vigorexic people is that they tend to exercise constantly, imposing exercise over family, friends or even work which contributes to a constant need of training.

Another excerpt of the investigation of Dr. Harrison G. Pope states:
“Vigorexic practice sports without caring about physical conditions or, weather conditions, and they feel guilty when they cannot perform these tasks” http://www.scribd.com/doc/16089992/Vigorexy

Obsession with the perfect body often leads to major changes in patient’s eating habits. Vigorexic diets are normally very high in calories and rich in proteins. This is meant to help muscles to recover faster and to produce more muscle mass. The next internet article explains:


“Some Vigorexics can eat more than 4500 calories daily, accompanied by numerous hormone, protein and vitamin supplements, all with the aim of increasing muscle mass” http://www.scribd.com/doc/16089992/Vigorexy

Vigorexics people may be recognized if they fit in the followings points:

1) Obsession with having a toned body that is out of proportion.
2) Excessive narcissism that leads them to continually look in the mirror, and weigh themselves several times a day.


3) They expend several hours a day in gyms and sports, neglecting the daily tasks of a normal person.
4) The consumption a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates to increase muscle mass.

5) Self medication.
6) Lack of proportion between the head and body.



Vigorexic people have personality characteristics similar to those who suffer from other types of addictions. They both have low self esteem and experience extreme difficulties in social situations. They are introverted and reject or have difficulties accepting themselves.


Bibliography-
http://ezinearticles.com/?Vigorexia---The-Physical-Exercise-Addiction&id=1735745
http://www.scribd.com/doc/16089992/Vigorexy