Causes and Definition of Exercise Addiction Sharon Brooks

Definition of Exercise Addiction Exercising to the physical pain and emotional damage Exercising even when all pleasure is lost, and against the advice of a physician Exercising an abnormal amount and lying to friends about it.

Comparison to Other Addictions, In millions, how many Americans the addiction affects While a serious problem, exercise addiction only affects 1% of the population. It is, however, on the rise. Alcohol Source: http://www.drugfreesandiego.org/htm/03inf-04faq.htm. Partnership for a Drug-Free America Drug Source: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n680.a05.html Exercise Source: Priory Healthcare. Numbers based off of American Population of 283 million people.

Four Steps of Addiction Exercise Addiction is identified by the four steps of any addiction: tolerance, craving, dependence, and finally withdrawal.

Causes of Exercise Addiction

Society Society is the main cause of exercise addiction as in minimizes the prevalence of the addiction. Exercise is socially acceptable. The next three causes all fall under the umbrella of society as a cause of this addiction.

Stress Exercise is a coping mechanism. Exercise addicts deal with their stress through exercise. Exercise releases natural “feel good” drugs to reduce stress.

Body Image Exercise Bulimia affects several million Americans, mostly women between the ages of 12 and 25. Instead of losing weight through throwing up, Exercise Bulimics lose weight through excessive exercise. Source: Dawn Lang. “Exercise Fanatic or Exercise Bulimic?”

Obsessive-Compulsive Exercise is one of the few things people are able to completely control for themselves. Soon what they initially sought to control begins to control them. More likely to fall into the cycle of thinking that “more is better.”

Conclusion Any questions, comments, concerns?? E-mail me with your thoughts: sebrooks@student.gc.maricopa.edu The End!!