Muscle dysmorphia recognized as severe mental health issue in Germany

Muscle dysmorphia, also known as muscle‑worship syndrome or Adonis Complex, is a psychological disorder in which sufferers, mainly men, perceive their bodies as insufficiently muscular despite being well‑trained. A distorted body image drives compulsive exercise, strict dieting and frequent checking of weight, measurements and mirror reflections. The condition can dominate daily life, leading to job loss, relationship problems and the use of harmful substances such as anabolic steroids or dubious supplements. German health authorities advise that persistent, restrictive training and eating habits that impair everyday functioning require professional treatment, typically involving psychotherapy (psycho‑education, cognitive‑behavioral therapy and acceptance‑commitment approaches), nutritional counseling and, where needed, medication. Experts also stress the importance of parental awareness and dialogue about social‑media influences on young men.