Why muscle dysmorphia got so big, with Dr Roberto Olivardia

In this episode of Non-Toxic, I dive into the world of extreme muscularity with Dr Roberto Olivardia, a researcher and clinician who helped coin the term “muscle dysmorphia.” Dr Olivardia charts the rise of muscle dysmorphia among men and his own journey into studying eating disorders and OCD through the lens of masculinity. His book, The Adonis Complex, came out in 2000, and we look back at how body image issues among men have evolved from the 1970s to the present day. While social media and steroid use have accelerated the problem, Dr. Olivardia isn’t so sure they’re the only reasons why so many are struggling with this condition. And finally, we look at the challenges faced by those affected, and what options are available for treatment.

Guest bio:

Roberto Olivardia, PhD, conducts diagnostic evaluations at The Pavilion at McLean Hospital. He maintains a private practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). He is a nationally recognized expert in eating disorders and body image problems in boys and men. He is co-author of The Adonis Complex⁠.

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Further reading:

⁠The Adonis Complex⁠⁠

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the largest of them all? The features and phenomenology of muscle dysmorphia"

"Premature Death in Bodybuilders: What Do We Know?"

"Predictors of muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors in U.S. young adults: A prospective cohort study"