Compulsive Exercise Disorder

What is Compulsive Exercising?

Individuals who are suffering from an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, or those who have a distorted body image, will do everything within their power to lose the weight they believe they are carrying. While some people choose to purge their calories through self-induced vomiting, laxatives or diuretics, others may develop a compulsive exercise disorder.

Compulsive exercising is when the amount of exercise has surpassed its "safe zone." As with most things, exercise should be properly managed and too much of it can be detrimental to the body. The human body is not designed to handle an extreme amount of stress on its muscles, bones and organs. In fact, compulsive exercise disorder can result in a wide number of medical conditions, some of which are quite serious. These conditions include:

• Stress fractures
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Osteoporosis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Reproductive problems
• Amenorrhea
• Heart problems

In addition to these conditions, compulsive exercising can also induce the release of large amounts of free radicals in the body. Every human body has free radicals in it, and as we age, the more free radicals we generate. But research indicates that people with high levels of free radicals, who are without the necessary antioxidants to help combat them, are at a higher risk of developing various types of cancers.

What Causes Compulsive Exercising?

When someone is battling an eating disorder, there is a high level of guilt associated with their condition. Since many eating disorders begin with binge eating, compulsive exercise disorder is developed as a means to deal with that guilt and it is performed in the hopes that it will eliminate the calories that were ingested during the bingeing episode. For some people, compulsive exercise gives them "permission" to eat.

Signs of Compulsive Exercising

People who are using compulsive exercising as a means of controlling their weight will see no joy in the process of exercising. It doesn't matter how much they exercise, there is never any satisfaction in it. They will also exhibit self-guilt when they are unable to exercise. They may become moody or easily agitated. Additionally, the individual with compulsive exercise disorder may withdraw from social gatherings as they would rather spend the time working out.

For these individuals, their exercise regimen overrules every other aspect of their life. People suffering from compulsive exercise disorder will typically miss work or cut school in an effort to exercise, and in some cases, they may hide in the bathroom or lock themselves in their room for that very purpose.

When Does Exercising Become Compulsive Exercising?

Everyone has their own limits. For example, an athlete or a dancer will have a higher degree of exercise requirements than the average person. But on the average, 30 to 45 minutes a day of exercise (four to five days a week) is sufficient for burning between 2,000 and 3,500 calories each week. That is the recommended amount for maintaining good cardiovascular health. Anything above those numbers may be considered compulsive exercising and can place unnecessary strain on the body.

It can be difficult to diagnose compulsive exercising as everyone has a different tolerance for strain on the body. But for the average individual who is not an athlete, when the level of exercise results in the burning of more than 3,500 calories in a single week, the body may receive less benefits, may be at higher risk for injury and may become more prone to developing medical complications.

Treatments for Compulsive Exercising and Eating Disorders

If you require confidential assistance in locating safe and effective treatments for compulsive exercise disorder in addition to an eating disorder, please call the national eating disorder treatment helpline at 1-800-542-4610. Professionals are standing by 24/7 to help. CALL NOW!