Compulsive exercise (sometimes called exercise addiction) happens
when a person is driven to exercise too much. Injury, illness, going out with friends,
or bad weather will not stop those who compulsively exercise.
Why Do Some Teens Exercise Too Much?
Regular exercise
is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But athletes may be driven to exercise
more and more to improve their sports performance. Personal goals, coaches,
teammates, or parents may pressure athletes to push themselves too far.
Compulsive exercising and eating
disorders often go hand in hand. Someone with an eating disorder also may work
out excessively to lose weight. Someone with bulimia may use exercise as a way to
compensate for binge eating.
Some people believe they can achieve an impossible ideal body
type if they keep exercising.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Compulsive Exercise?
Compulsive exercisers often:
won't skip a workout, even if tired, sick, or injured
can't take time off and seem anxious or guilty when missing even one workout
are constantly preoccupied with their weight and exercise routine
lose a significant amount of weight
exercise more after eating a lot or missing a workout
eat much less if they can't exercise
skip seeing friends, give up other activities, and abandon responsibilities to
make more time for exercise
seem to base their self-worth on the number of workouts completed and the effort
put into training
are never satisfied with their own physical achievements
Some girls will lose a lot of weight, have irregular
periods or no periods (a condition known as
), and lose bone density (osteoporosis). This is known as the female
athlete triad.
Unhealthy weight loss behaviors, such as skipping meals or drastically reducing
calories, vomiting, and using diet pills or laxatives.
Social isolation, because working out always comes first. Compulsive exercisers
may skip homework or time with friends and family to exercise.
Anxiety and depression.
Performance pressure, low self-esteem, and lack of other
interests contribute to emotional problems.
How Is Compulsive Exercise Diagnosed?
It can be hard to diagnosis compulsive exercise. There is no agreement on how much
exercise is too much. A person who continues to exercise in spite of injury, health
problems, or poor relationships may have an exercise addiction.
How Is Compulsive Exercise Treated?
A therapist can help
someone with an exercise addiction change unhealthy behaviors, work on exercise moderation,
and find coping strategies.
