Revisiting the Diagnostic Criteria for Muscle Dysmorphia

SUMMARY MUSCLE DYSMORPHIA (MD) IS A PSYCHIATRIC CONDITION CHARACTERIZED BY THE EXTREME PURSUIT OF MUSCULARITY AND SIMULTANEOUS REDUCTION IN BODY FAT. ALTHOUGH CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA EFFECTIVELY ILLUSTRATE THE BEHAVIORS INVOLVED IN THE PURSUIT OF GREATER LEAN MUSCULARITY, CLINICAL UTILITY IS LIMITED BY THE LACK OF A CLEAR DELINEATION CONCERNING THE DEGREE TO WHICH THESE CHARACTERISTICS ARE PRESENT IN PATHOLOGICAL PRESENTATIONS. THIS ALLOWS FOR CONSIDERABLE VARIATION IN THE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH MD, AND THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF NONPATHOLOGICAL MUSCLE-BUILDING ENDEAVORS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO REVIEW THE EFFICACY OF DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN PATHOLOGICAL AND NONPATHOLOGICAL MUSCLE ENHANCING ENDEAVORS.