Exercise Addiction

Exercise Addiction:
What to Know

Many people try to improve their lives by going to the gym and altering their lifestyles, which has become a regular process for many individuals. In fact, there are plenty of people around the world who have managed to keep up a good routine without it disrupting other areas in their lives, such as work or school. Although most manage this just fine, some can develop obsessive compulsions with fitness that begin to interfere with everyday tasks. When something starts preventing somebody from being able to perform daily duties anymore, excessive Addiction is often blamed.

Clarifying
Exercise Addiction

An exercise addiction is classified under behavioral addictions, and described as an unhealthy obsession with working out, which often leads to injuries and illnesses. Despite this, those suffering from an exercise addiction will still try to work out for the day.

People with exercise addiction share certain compulsions and obsessions with those who suffer from other behavioral addictions, such as thoughts about fitness, body composition, and meeting physical goals. Compulsive exercise is also alarmingly common in people struggling with eating disorders.

An addicted individual often works out obsessively, regardless of any injury or illness that may occur because of the frequency. However, not only will they ignore potential injuries from working out too much, but other areas of their life as well. In clarifying  exercise addiction the following should be carefully monitored:

• Time spent on responsibilities, like school or work
• Marital or family relationships
• Social life and personal commitments

What Causes
Exercise Addiction?

Oftentimes, exercise addiction starts with someone who wants to better their physical fitness. However, things like eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia) and body image issues can lead to a harmful fixation on working out.

Exercise releases endorphins in a reaction similar to what happens when you take drugs. This gives you a feeling of euphoria that can be addictive. When someone stops exercising, they often lose these happy feelings. Exercising more is usually how someone with an exercise addiction copes with stress and manages their symptoms.

Types of
Exercise Addiction

There are two types of exercise addiction: primary and secondary. An exercise obsession develops differently depending on its type.

Primary Exercise Addiction

People with primary exercise addiction obsess over working out to the point where it becomes a behavioral addiction. The main difference between people with with this type of addiction and people with other mental disorders is that excessive exercise is their only obsession. This type of addiction is more common in males and usually starts as a chase after the high produced when exercise releases endorphins while working out. It’s this high that becomes addictive.

Secondary Exercise Addiction

An addiction to exercise that occurs alongside another mental disorder is called a secondary exercise addiction. This type of addiction is most often seen in people who are also obsessed with weight loss or have eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Secondary exercise addictions are more common among females and usually progress because of compulsive behavior around body image issues and physical fitness. When someone with an eating disorder also exercises obsessively, the lack of nutrients can lead to injury and illness.

Exercise Addiction & Technology

According to research, people who use technology related to their sport or exercise are more likely to become addicted. Fitness apps, trackers, and social media platforms are used frequently by regular folk and athletes alike.

Fitness technology, such as apps, trackers, and social media platforms, help people log workouts, track accomplishments and connect with online fitness communities. However, if you’re constantly comparing your progress and goals to others, problems can occur because of the stress and pressure this creates. This may also lead you to overexert yourself during workouts, which in turn causes injuries, burnout, and a decrease in enjoyment of exercising.

Exercise Addiction in Athletes

According to studies, athletes who are passionate and dedicated to their sport are more likely to develop an exercise addiction. When compared with the general public or those who only exercise for leisure, exercise addiction rates among athletes are alarmingly higher.

Risk factors for
compulsive exercise

There are many risk factors associated with compulsive exercises, such as an addictive personality that seeks highs from other activities. Individuals who have difficulty coping with stress or negative emotions may also be at a higher risk. Society’s pressure to have the perfect body can push some people to compulsively exercise in order to achieve an unattainable standard.

How is Exercise
Addiction Diagnosed?

Although not widely recognized, exercise addiction is a real phenomenon and one that can be difficult to diagnose. Most people who suffer from this addiction don’t see anything wrong with their behavior and thus don’t report it.

The decrease in social activity and the increase in fitness obsession usually indicate that the person has an exercise addiction. To determine this, a doctor may ask you to keep a journal of your workout routines and social activities.

Signs & Symptoms of
Exercise Addiction

The signs and symptoms of exercise addiction or compulsive exercise can differ significantly based on individual characteristics, the type, and intensity of workouts, etc. Even people who stay within recommended limits of healthy exercise may experience these symptoms at some point. The crucial distinction, though, is that despite the appearance of negative effects from continuing to work out compulsively, addicted individuals cannot stop themselves from doing so.

Some of the red flags linked to exercise addiction are as follows:

• Tolerance: upping your physical activity to feel a certain way, like an adrenaline rush or sense of accomplishment
• Withdrawal: When a person does not exercise, they can experience negative effects such as anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and sleep problems.
• Lack of control: There have been many attempts to reduce the level of exercise people do or to get them to stop exercising for a period of time, but none have been successful.
• Intention effects: Being unable to adhere to an intended routine, as shown by spending more time on exercise or regularly doing more than what is planned.
• Time:  Excessive time is spent on making sure you’re able to exercise, actually exercising, and then resting afterward.
• Reduction in other activities: Exercise leads to less frequent or abandoned social, work-related, or recreational activities.
• Continuance: Exercising despite it negatively impacting your physical, psychological, or interpersonal state.

Effects of
Exercise Addiction

Although healthy exercise is good for you and strengthens muscles and bones, too much of it can lead to stress fractures or other injuries. If you already have an injury, exercising may make it worse and increase your recovery time.

Exercise addiction is more likely to affect those with perfectionist, neurotic or narcissistic personality traits. Compulsive exercise can evoke irrational fear about not being able to work out, which then drives a person to overexert themselves and risk injury.

Additionally, in women, over-exercise may lead to a change in their menstrual cycle. If a woman has an unhealthy body mass index from too much exercise, her body will stop releasing eggs, and she will miss one or more periods. This occurs more often in females who have secondary exercise addiction along with an eating disorder.

Exercise Addiction &
Co-Occurring Disorders

When someone has an exercise addiction, it can be complicated if they also have another mental health disorder or eating disorder. Additionally, substance abuse is often tied to exercise addiction. Some people might illegally use performance-enhancing drugs in order to achieve unrealistic physical goals. Others may compulsively use alcohol or other drugs as part of their addiction.

Treatment for
Exercise Addiction

If you suffer from primary exercise addiction, meaning the addiction exists independently, therapy sessions with a specialist will help you replace pathologic coping mechanisms with more healthy ones.

If you’re looking for a full understanding of your exercise addiction and how to change it, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be right for you. CBT is an action-based form of talking therapy that treatment by problem-solving so that eventually you can live without your addiction.

If you find that your exercise addiction exists alongside another mental health issue, such as an eating disorder, then it is likely due to the body image issues associated with conditions like anorexia and bulimia. In this case, therapy focused on treating the underlying condition can be effective in addressing both disorders.

Because of this, treatment therapy focuses on improving self-esteem and distorted body image issues. Treatment programs are tailored to the underlying reasons for developing exercise addiction and can include individual or group therapy sessions as well as nutritional counseling.

Some medications, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers, may be used early on in treatment for eating disorders. This can help to make therapy sessions more effective.

Although having an exercise addiction and eating disorder can make a recovery more difficult, it is still entirely possible to get better.

If you have a severe exercise addiction, you’ll need to manage your emotions and attitude toward physical activity for the rest of your life. Psyclarity Health offers an effective platform for treatment and recovery so that you can live a healthy lifestyle.

How to Get Help for
an Exercise Addiction

Treatment for exercise addiction should always be personalized because no single approach is effective for everyone. It’s important to choose a treatment plan that not only addresses the addiction itself but also meets any additional needs and preferences you may have. The better the fit, the more likely you are to succeed in overcoming exercise addiction.

How to Get Help for
a Loved One

It’s crucial to remember that Addiction has taken over an individual to the point where they can’t control it anymore. They may not realize they have a problem or might be in denial. With this in mind, you shouldn’t be surprised if there’s some resistance at first. The best way to approach the situation is by being supportive and having a discussion with them about what you know. This will show that you’re credible as well as give both of you ideas about how to get help.

Remember that you are helping this person because you want the best for them, so it is important to be supportive and objective. Additionally, remember that your actions speak louder than words. If you also have an exercise addiction, seeking help will set a positive example.