health
The highs are extremely high
Pushing yourself to the limit, training through injury and choosing the gym over socialising are all signs that you may have an unhealthy reliance on exercise
TL;DR
- Exercise addiction is not officially recognized as a psychiatric disorder, making diagnosis challenging.
- An estimated 0.3-0.5% of the general population and 3-9% of regular exercisers may be dependent on exercise.
- Behavioral addictions like exercise addiction can neurologically function similarly to substance addictions.
- Symptoms include obsessive training, persistence through negative consequences, and withdrawal when unable to exercise.
- Exercise addiction often co-occurs with eating disorders, with up to 48% of those with eating disorders showing symptoms.
- Social validation and cultural ideals of body types can mask the dysfunction of exercise addiction.
- Recovery is complex but possible through therapy, peer support, and finding a balanced approach to exercise.
- Individuals like Luke Tyburski and Micheál Costello share their experiences of overcoming exercise addiction.
- The key to recovery is shifting focus from an external locus of identity to internal well-being.