How is muscle dysmorphia different from simply working out?

It is important to remember that exercise is healthy and that overall working out is a positive behavior. Athletes particularly must often spend a great amount of time exercising to stay competitive in their field, and so it can be difficult to distinguish a love for exercise from muscle dysmorphia. The main difference is in the attitude and psychology of the affected individual. If you continue to have low self-esteem despite your exercising, have unrealistic opinions or beliefs about your physique, are extremely self-conscious or obsessed with your appearance, or get disproportionately upset or anxious if you miss a work-out session, you may have crossed the line into muscle dysmorphia.