‘The highs are extremely high - but the lows are extremely low’: when working out becomes an addiction
The Guardian • • health
Key Points:
- Luke Tyburski, a former pro-footballer turned endurance athlete, developed exercise addiction as he pushed himself through extreme challenges, using training to escape underlying depression linked to his lost athletic identity.
- Exercise addiction, while not officially recognized as a psychiatric disorder, affects a small but significant portion of athletes and exercisers, with symptoms including secrecy, persistence despite harm, and withdrawal-like effects when unable to exercise.
- The addiction often co-occurs with eating disorders, as seen in Micheál Costello’s case, where excessive exercise and undernutrition created a harmful cycle, only improved through therapy and a healthier approach to sport.
- Exercise addiction is difficult to identify due to social approval of intense training and subtle warning signs like prioritizing exercise over rest or social activities, making it hard for sufferers and those around them to recognize the problem.
- Recovery is complex since exercise itself is beneficial, but support options like therapy, rehab, and peer support can help individuals develop a balanced relationship with physical activity and address underlying psychological issues.
