Eating and sleep disorders: muscle dysmorphia: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Eating and sleep disorders: muscle dysmorphia

Sample item

A 24-year-old bodybuilder with a very muscular physique believes he is small and frail, spends hours a day in the gym, avoids social events and uses anabolic steroids. Which diagnosis fits best?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Body dysmorphic disorder, muscle dysmorphia type

Muscle dysmorphia is a form of body dysmorphic disorder in which the person is preoccupied with being insufficiently muscular, leading to compulsive training, restricted diet and steroid misuse. It occurs mainly in young men.

Option by option

  • A. Narcissistic personality disorder

    Narcissistic personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity and does not explain the body-image preoccupation.

  • B. Body dysmorphic disorder, muscle dysmorphia type (correct)

    Correct. Preoccupation with being too small despite a muscular body defines muscle dysmorphia.

  • C. Bulimia nervosa

    Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating with compensatory behaviours.

  • D. Anorexia nervosa

    Anorexia nervosa involves low body weight and fear of weight gain.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Body dysmorphic disorder, muscle dysmorphia type. Muscle dysmorphia is a form of body dysmorphic disorder in which the person is preoccupied with being insufficiently muscular, leading to compulsive training, restricted diet and steroid misuse.

Why is "Narcissistic personality disorder" not the answer?

Narcissistic personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity and does not explain the body-image preoccupation.

Why is "Bulimia nervosa" not the answer?

Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating with compensatory behaviours.

Why is "Anorexia nervosa" not the answer?

Anorexia nervosa involves low body weight and fear of weight gain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating and sleep disorders: muscle dysmorphia in Psychiatry. It occurs mainly in young men.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Eating and sleep disorders: muscle dysmorphia?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.