Can exercise improve symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder?

Although physical activity has been widely recognized for its positive effects on physical and mental health, prescribing exercise for individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) may not always be appropriate. One specific subtype of BDD, known as muscle dysmorphia (MD), is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with body muscle mass. Individuals with MD are often self-conscious about their muscle appearance, leading them to engage in excessive exercise, and in some cases, to take supplements and/or steroids to enhance muscle growth. In this context, overexercising becomes an obsessive behavior rather than a healthy habit, and healthcare professionals may need to oversee exercise patterns for people affected by MD.^[1][2]

For body dysmorphic disorders other than muscle dysmorphia, some individuals report subjective benefits from exercise, such as improved self-esteem and a reduction in associated feelings of anxiety and depression. However, there is currently limited scientific evidence explicitly examining the impact of exercise on individuals with BDD. Nevertheless, unless exercising becomes an obsessive behavior in itself, people are generally encouraged to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily routine to support overall physical and mental well-being.