EXERCISE DEPENDENCE: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

Exercise dependence is not yet an official diagnostic entity but steadily gaining attention.

Signs of Exercise dependence:

• Impaired function across life domains: psychological, social/occupational, physical and behavioural.

• Withdrawl: adverse reaction to the interruption of exercise or unsuccessful attempts at exercise control.

• Associated features: exercising alone, exercising without specific goal, deception/denial around exercise.

• Typically, the goal of exercise in Exercise Addiction is control of body weight and shape.

If you are concerned you are impacted by this, the first step is to talk with your family doctor, who can help to determine if a referral to a sports medicine physician would be appropriate.