It is an abnormal, compulsive behavior due to an excessive obsession to avoid weight gain and / or any changes in body shape.
Excessive exercising has important health risks.
Yes? At least if supervised!
Patients whom are underweight usually have low energy expenditure as they often do not move enough. Giving them exercises would actually influence and help them more to move (under supervision)
The physical activity intensity and the heart rate can be controlled and patients can be asked to exercise at light intensity.
The likelihood patients engage in hidden or ‘secret’ physical activities decreases.
The drive to exercise might reduce and may redirect the patients’ hyperactivity in a healthy way, reducing their fears of weight gain and improving their sense of self-control.
Patients are given more responsibility, and compliance to treatment is enhanced.
It positively influences their physical and psychological well-being while regaining or maintaining a good physical condition,
It stimulates social contacts
No negative side-effects, if supervised
Is exercise addiction an illness?
Criteria for compulsive behaviour/exercise addiction
Compulsive exercise or exercise addiction is not currently recognized by either the World Health Organization (ICD-11) nor the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) as an illness due to a lack of conceptual consensus on the condition.
The term “exercise addiction” has however been employed already since the late 70s.
There is a strong consensus that it should be considered as an official impairing condition in the future.
Bodily symptoms that could be present
Compulsive exercise is motivated by weight / body image concerns.
Preoccupation with physical appearance and /or muscles.
Fear of losing physique if exercise habits are altered.
Idealized future when physical goals are attained.
Food-related symptoms that could be present
Exercise is often used as a compensatory behavior in relation to disturbed eating, or as an alternative to restriction.
Persistently low calorie intake.
Food intake reduced to compensate if training is missed.
Potential withdrawal symptoms when exercise is reduced or sessions are missed
Headache
Insomnia
Crying
Depressed
Anger
Fatigue
Potential negative experiences
Exercise habits cause conflicts in social relationships.
Exercise causes difficulties in carrying out work/study responsibilities, may lead to reducing working hours/leaving job/studies.
Exercise is continued through illness/injury, and/or contrary to medical advice.
Anger at injury.
Exercise is perceived negatively (boring, tortuous).
Persistence despite rational understanding of negative impact.
Guilt when exercise is insufficient.
Thoughts constantly turning to exercise/rumination.
Lying about/hiding exercise habits
Potential positive experiences
Exercise is seen as a way to solve/deal with problems and stress.
Feeling better / “high” during/after exercise.
Enjoyment of structure.
Control over exercise behaviour is central
At the beginning: an ‘unreal’ sense of control over body and life.
After a while:
the affected person wishes they could stop.
the affected person feels unable to stop / is unable to stop despite attempts