Muscle Dysmorphia: The Hidden Struggle

0:00It's March 28th. Welcome to Durham News Today, powered by AI. Muscle dysmorphia hits boys and men hard, but it flies under the radar. This condition, sometimes called bigorexia or reverse anorexia, makes guys feel like they're never muscular enough, no matter their size. It affects about 2.8% of boys and men in the United States, per health experts. Take Tape Manel, a 20-year-old UNC Chapel Hill student, an ex lacrosse player. Back in high school, teammate jokes about being skinny, push him to pack on pounds fast 40 in two months, by force beating protein and hitting the gym 2 to 4 hours daily. He obsessed over getting bigger after getting smoked on the field by bigger opponents. Meanwhile, bodybuilder Zach Harding flipped the script after dropping to 100 pounds with anorexia at 18. Weightlifting helped him recover, but he learned to focus on how his body performs, not just looks, to stay mentally strong. Isolation is a big red flag for these struggles, and they can wreck you inside even if you

1:04look fine. Experts say no need for a formal label to get help. Distress is enough. At UNC, groups like Embodied Carolina build community to fight diaculture and spread awareness, especially during that stressful college shift win. Risks spike. Things like Tate are dialing it back now, cutting extreme subs to protect their health long term. It's a reminder, chase feeling good over chasing mirrors, and lean on support to keep the obsession in check.