Compulsive exercise is not a recognized clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5, but many people struggle with symptoms associated with this term. If you are concerned about your or a loved one’s relationship with exercise, please speak with a treatment professional at NEDRC, based in Dublin, Ireland.

WARNING SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF COMPULSIVE EXERCISE

  • Exercise that significantly interferes with important activities, occurs at inappropriate times or in inappropriate settings, or when the individual continues to exercise despite injury or other medical complications
  • Intense anxiety, depression, irritability, feelings of guilt, and/or distress if unable to exercise
  • Maintains excessive, rigid exercise regimen – despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury
  • Discomfort with rest or inactivity
  • Exercise used to manage emotions
  • Exercise as a means of purging (needing to “get rid of” or “burn off” calories)
  • Exercise as permission to eat
  • Exercise that is secretive or hidden
  • Feeling as though you are not good enough, fast enough or not pushing hard enough during a period of exercise; overtraining
  • Withdrawal from friends and family

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF COMPULSIVE EXERCISE

  • Bone density loss (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
  • Loss of menstrual cycle (in women)
  • Female Athlete Triad (in women)
  • Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
  • Persistent muscle soreness
  • Chronic bone & joint pain
  • Increased incidence of injury (overuse injuries, stress fractures, etc.)
  • Persistent fatigue and sluggishness
  • Altered resting heart rate
  • Increased frequency of illness & upper respiratory infections

Treatment for Exercise Addiction includes

  • Refraining from exercise for a period of time to regain a balanced lifestyle and identify underlying issues
  • Counseling from qualified treatment professionals on developing healthier coping skills and tools to lead a more balanced life
  • Working with a physiologist or specialist when resuming exercise, to assist in determining a healthy workout schedule, appropriate duration of exercise, etc.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of excessive exercise and/or an eating disorder, eating disorder treatment, including psychotherapy, can help address both the eating disorder and exercise obsession. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps to modify behaviors as well as underlying beliefs about exercise, can help individuals to develop moderation and balance.

If you are based in Ireland & want to learn more about Over Exercising / Compulsive Exercising Treatment, contact NEDRC.

NEDRC can help you take that vital step to regain a healthy and happy life. Please call us about our eating disorder treatments.

Telephone: 01 564 4450  or Mobile: 087 7755996  / Email  enquiries@nedrc.ie
For referrals (Healthcare/ Therapeutic professionals ONLY): referrals@nedrc.ie   or  healthlink@nedrc.ie