Abstract

SANTOS, Niraldo de Oliveira et al. Vigorexia, steroid use and the request for psychological treatment: experience report. Psicol. hosp. (São Paulo) [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.1, pp.02-15. ISSN 2175-3547.

The recreational and indiscriminate use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) may be associated with clinical conditions involving body-image changes, or may simply be responding to the desire of achieving a sculpted body in a short period of time. This study aims at describing the experience of the Centro de Estudos em Psicologia da Saúde/Center for Studies in Health Psychology (CEPSIC) and the Psychology Division of ICHC/FMUSP, while carrying out a program targeting the care of individuals having the vigorexia disorder (Adonis Syndrome) and steroid users. After announcing the study, there were only 12 inscriptions, of which 7 were made by family members who suspected a relative had the problem. The proposed service, in spite of the extensive promulgation, caused scant repercussion amongst the patients. It is believed that the greater part of steroid users and individuals who have a distorted body image do not consider these behaviors as dysfunctional.

Keywords : Anabolic agents; Vigorexia; Psychological treatment.

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