Exercise Addiction (part II)
Addiction and the brain
Compulsive behaviors like compulsive shopping, pathological lying, shoplifting, gambling, overeating, over exercising or obsessions with sex can be trigger by genetic predisposition, by environmental stress and by the comfort, reassurance, or escape provided by the repetitive behavior itself.
What triggers exercise addiction
A study of mice found that when the exercise was denied to certain animals, brain scans revealed activity in areas normally linked to drug withdrawal. The same might be true for exercise addicts as many experts believe that exercise addiction is not physical.
This study of mice, published in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience stated that high activity mice reaching their running peak, as displayed by chemical reactions in the brain, then deprived of exercise were found to have higher levels of brain activity in 16 out of 25 brain regions. Change in brain activity was an indication of their motivation to run and were the same brain regions that become activated when you prevent rats from getting their daily fix of cocaine, morphine, alcohol or nicotine.
Personality of an addict
The observation is that exercise is an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. Although very complex, simply put exercise addiction and eating disorders are both about control. Control over problems and stress at home, work and in relationships. Like other addictions including eating disorders, exercise addiction involve an obsession with thoughts of exercise, use of exercise to escape from undesirable feelings and dysfunctional reliance on exercise not exercising such that the behavior is continued regardless of the harm done.
The typical exercise addict began exercising in adulthood to lose weight and become more physically fit. As that begins to happen they begin to feel better about themselves and develop a sense of control over their bodies and their lives; something they had been unable to do through dieting. In other words, they feel more powerful and more self-confident.
Physical dangers of exercise addiction
- The risk of dehydration
- An increased tendency to suffer from insomnia
- Sports injuries such as shin splints, broken bones, cartilage, and ligament damage
- An increased risk of menstrual abnormalities in women
- Many of the risk factors associated with anorexia
Solving the problem
It is partly the responsibility of family and personal trainers to speak up when seeing someone who exhibits negative exercise addiction habits. Some families and personal trainers seeing someone participate in two hours of cardio before their actual workout consider the ramifications of that in depletion of muscles and energy and take a personal stand in addressing this issue, others do not.
As a trainer referring a client to another health professional for assistance is always one option. If you feel your client is an exercise addict, which many times include some form of dysfunctional eating, refer your client to a nutritionist. As a sports psychologist I can be helpful in many ways including the following: as a reality check, helping the person to figure out what’s healthy and helping them to find balance. It has also been suggested that meditation and journaling are important to increase focused attention.
Conclusion
Many exercise addicts recognize their symptoms of negative exercise behavior. Because exercise addicts tend to be well educated many negative exercise addicts not only recognize but acknowledge the symptoms and the effects negative exercise has on them. Accepting and being able to change those behaviors is an entirely different matter. Exercise addicts often feel that though exercise may control their lives, it enhances their existence.
Trainers can help with exercise addiction simply by being healthy, positive role models. We can give positive feedback and sound fitness advice and talk to our clients not only about the positive aspects of exercise but the ramifications of over exercise.
If you think you struggle with exercise addiction contact me drmichelle@drmichellecleere.com. I can help!
I hope you have a great weekend!
Dr. Michelle
Photo credit: quickestwaytoloseweighthq.com
