Researchers have uncovered concerning links between excessive exercise and psychiatric problems like depression, ADHD, and childhood trauma.
This sheds new light on the concerning phenomenon of exercise addiction.
Key Facts:
- Individuals at risk for exercise addiction scored higher on measures of depression, ADHD symptoms, and childhood trauma compared to frequent exercisers not at risk.
- Around 24% of very frequent exercisers may be at risk for exercise addiction.
- Exercise addiction likely involves similar brain pathways and mechanisms as substance addictions.
- Addressing co-occurring psychiatric issues should be part of treatment plans for exercise addiction.
Source: Front Sports Act Living
Many people strive to exercise regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle.
However, for some, exercise becomes compulsive and excessive, leading to physical injury, mental distress, and interference with work, social life, and relationships.
This phenomenon, sometimes called exercise addiction, remains poorly understood.
A new study provides insight by examining the mental health profiles of those at risk for exercise addiction.
The findings reveal concerning links between excessive exercise and other psychiatric problems like depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and childhood trauma.
Exercise Addiction: What is it?
Exercise addiction is not currently recognized as a diagnosable condition.
However, researchers have proposed diagnostic criteria involving symptoms like withdrawal when unable to exercise, tolerance leading to ever-increasing duration and intensity, and continuing exercise despite physical injury or social/occupational consequences.
Questionnaire-based studies estimate that 3-13% of regular exercisers may be at risk for exercise addiction.
Rates appear higher in certain sports like running, triathlon, and weight training.
Exercise addiction appears more common in men and younger adults.
Perfectionistic personality traits and body image issues may also be risk factors.
Those with eating disorders or muscle dysmorphia seem particularly prone to developing excessive exercise habits.
The Addicted Brain
Like substance addictions, behavioral addictions are linked to dysregulation in brain circuits involving motivation and reward.
Key neurotransmitters include dopamine, endogenous opioids, and endocannabinoids.
Brain imaging studies show similarities between exercise addiction and substance addictions.
For example, cues related to excessive exercise produce increased activation in reward regions including the striatum.
Withdrawal from exercise leads to decreased dopamine and endocannabinoid signaling.
This may underlie mood disturbances like depression and anxiety.
Tolerance likely involves neurotransmitter receptor downregulation.
Overall, evidence suggests dysfunctional regulation of the brain’s motivational pathways drives compulsive behavior in exercise addiction, resembling classical drug addictions.
More research is still needed in this area.
Psychiatric Disturbances in Exercise Addicts (Study)
While links to eating disorders have been examined, less is known about other psychiatric problems in people with excessive exercise habits.
This new study aimed to address this gap by comparing mental health questionnaire scores between at-risk and non-risk exercisers.
The Study and Sample:
- The study included 123 participants (78 male, 45 female) who exercised at least 10 hours per week and continued exercising when sick or injured.
- Their average age was 33 years.
- Participants completed the Exercise Dependence Scale along with standard scales assessing depression, ADHD, and childhood trauma exposure.
- Based on their scores, 29 participants (24%) were categorized as at risk for exercise addiction.
- At-risk participants exercised significantly more hours per week compared to non-risk participants.
Exercise Addiction Linked to Psychiatric Conditions
Depression
- At-risk participants scored significantly higher on the depression scale than non-risk participants.
- 12.5% of at-risk participants had a previous diagnosis of depression versus 6.4% of non-risk participants.
ADHD
- At-risk participants had significantly higher scores for ADHD symptoms like difficulty concentrating and sitting still.
- Only one participant in each group reported a previous ADHD diagnosis.
Childhood Trauma
- At-risk participants reported significantly more traumatic experiences in childhood like abuse, violence, and death of loved ones.
- This is the first study examining childhood trauma in the context of exercise addiction.
Eating Disorders
- Only four participants had an eating disorder diagnosis, with no differences between risk groups.
- This suggests psychiatric factors beyond disordered eating may contribute to excessive exercise.
Future Directions & Implications: Exercise Addiction Study
The findings indicate that exercise addiction is linked to broader psychiatric disturbances, similar to substance addictions.
Possible shared factors like childhood trauma, impulsivity, and dysregulation of brain motivational circuits may underlie both exercise addiction and disorders like depression.
Alternatively, psychiatric problems may sometimes follow from the stress of compulsive exercise habits.
More research is needed to clarify if certain disorders tend to precede exercise addiction or result from it.
Longitudinal studies tracking psychiatric health over time in at-risk exercisers would help elucidate this.
Regardless of causation, the results highlight the importance of assessing for co-occurring disorders like depression in the context of exercise addiction.
Integrating appropriate psychotherapy and medication into treatment plans may improve outcomes.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focusing on dysfunctional attitudes related to exercise, body image, and self-worth appears promising.
Group therapy may also help by reducing social isolation and providing motivation.
As a newly recognized phenomenon, many questions remain unanswered regarding the mechanisms and most effective treatments for exercise addiction.
But the links to psychiatric disturbances uncovered in this study represent an important piece of the puzzle.
Combining neuroscience and clinical psychology research will continue highlighting shared biological and environmental risk factors.
This can inform both prevention efforts and therapies to help affected individuals restore healthy exercise habits and mental well-being.
References
- Study: Individuals at risk of exercise addiction have higher scores for depression, ADHD and childhood trauma
- Authors: Flora Colledge et al. (2021)
