The Dangers of Exercise Addiction

Given the current rate of obesity in the United States, one would think that exercising as much as possible is a good thing. Contrary to this belief, there is a condition known as exercise addiction. You can actually exercise too much.

Opinions vary as to the cause of exercise addiction. Some schools of thought associate exercise addiction with obsessive-compulsive disorder, meaning that the athlete has a psychological need to keep exercising. Another theory suggests that people become addicted to the "high" experienced during, and immediately following exercise. This "high" is caused by increased serotonin and endorphin production triggered by exercise. Serotonin and endorphins are "feel-good" chemicals in the body, so the exercise addict acts much like a heroin addict seeking out the next high.

Regardless of the reason for exercise addiction, it can become harmful, psychologically as well as physically. Exercise addiction can lead to injuries, either from exhaustion, or by doing harm to overworked muscles. Some people will become more susceptible to stress fractures as the demand placed on bones is increased. Exercise addicts feel the need to work out, even when an injury has occurred, or they are in pain, and this can lead to permanent injury. Exhaustion and fatigue are unfortunate side effects of exercise addiction that can lead to serious injury.

Addiction to exercise can also cause a reduction in the amount of testosterone produced in men, and women may experience an interruption in their menstrual periods known as dysmenorrhea. Another hormonal side effect is increased production of cortisol that can lead to bones breaking down and osteoporosis.

The obvious dangers of an addiction to exercise include an increased risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest. Fainting, nausea, difficulty sleeping, and muscle pain are all associated with exercise addiction.

There are also serious psychological and social effects of an addiction to exercise. Depression and suicide have been linked to exercise addiction. Divorces, loss of friends and employment, child neglect, and social withdrawal have all been reported circumstances in the lives of exercise addicts.

Treatment for exercise addiction is difficult because the disorder is hard to identify. The person with the addiction is unable to see the problem, and people around the athlete are conditioned to believe that exercise, in any amount, is a good thing.

The most common symptoms exhibited with exercise addiction include: the inability to maintain a relaxed state that may manifest as hyperactivity, dependence on exercise as a coping mechanism, inability to stop exercising even after injury, overexertion and extreme dietary restrictions imposed on self, overachievers, protecting or defending their exercise regimen, perfectionism, body obsession, decreased concentration, and fatigue.

If you notice these symptoms in yourself, or someone that you know, there are treatment options available. Mountain Nest (www.montenido.com) offers a treatment program that is tailored to the individual needs of exercise addicts. There may also be programs in your area that your physician can direct you to that can treat the exercise addiction.

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