Between passion and compulsion: the danger of sports addiction #52
Sports addiction - "Dangerous patterns in my passion for sport"
Let me tell you a little about my life and why I'm writing about this topic at all. Some people who know me well will be aware of my long-standing affinity with sport. I have been dedicated to this area since I was a child. As a child, I already devoted myself to intensive artistic gymnastics training, accompanied by numerous competitions. But for a good decade now, my focus has been on weight training.
In 2016, I reached a significant milestone in my sporting career by taking part in three bodybuilding competitions. The highlight was undoubtedly winning first place as Miss Fitness 2016 at the SNBF (Swiss Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation) Swiss Championships. An absolute triumph that gave me great pleasure.
But in the midst of these successes, it gradually became more and more difficult. I began to isolate myself more and more, defining myself exclusively through sport and nutrition and there was hardly any other focus in my life. This led to me falling into a vicious circle, a phase in my life in which I literally lost myself in my enthusiasm for sport. This phase led me into a dangerous territory known as 'sports addiction'.
Sport - a word that is often associated with health, pleasure and well-being. Regular exercise and physical activity are undoubtedly crucial for a healthy life. It promotes physical health, boosts self-confidence and creates social bonds. But what happens when the love of sport gets out of control and becomes an obsession? In some cases, the love of
Sport can become a real addiction, affecting not only the life of the person concerned, but also their social environment.
In this blog post, we will take a detailed look at the topic of sports addiction and try to understand how it develops, what effects it can have and how it can be countered.
What is sports addiction?
Sports addiction, also known as "exercise addiction" or "sports addiction", is a psychological disorder in which the person affected feels an excessive and compulsive urge to exercise. This addiction manifests itself in the form of excessive training, neglect of other areas of life and compulsive behaviour that prioritises sport over everything else.
There are certainly certain exceptions, or if an athlete is explicitly working or training towards a specific goal, it can lead to seemingly "excessive" sports consumption at times, without it immediately resulting in a sports addiction. The important thing is to have a healthy balance and not suffer physically or mentally in the long term. I think the level of suffering says a lot about whether it is an addiction/compulsion.
The term "sports addiction" is colloquial and refers to an extreme and unhealthy craving for physical activity and sport. It is not recognised as a medical diagnosis, although some aspects can be associated with psychological disorders such as addictive behaviour and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The term "sports addiction" is colloquial and refers to an extreme and unhealthy craving for physical activity and sport. It is not recognised as a medical diagnosis, although some aspects can be associated with psychological disorders such as addictive behaviour and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Signs and symptoms
It is important to note that sport in itself can be healthy and beneficial for physical and mental health. Sports addiction only occurs when the desire to exercise becomes so excessive that it negatively affects or restricts the person's life. It is important to note that not everyone who exercises regularly is affected by sports addiction. Sport is generally healthy as long as it is practised in moderation and promotes well-being. However, if signs of sports addiction appear, such as excessive training, neglect of other areas of life and health problems, it is advisable to seek professional help in order to receive appropriate support and treatment.
Excessive training behaviour: People affected by sports addiction often train beyond their physical limits, ignoring fatigue and injuries.
Neglect of other areas of life: Excessive training can lead to other important areas of life such as family, friendships, work and social activities being neglected and the person affected often isolates themselves.
Negative effects on health: Sports addiction can lead to physical and mental health problems, including injuries, exhaustion, sleep disorders and anxiety.
Compulsive behaviour: People with a sports addiction may feel a compulsive need to exercise, even if it is unhealthy or harmful.
If you think you or someone you know may be affected by sports addiction, it is advisable to seek professional help from a doctor or psychologist to get appropriate support and treatment.
Causes and development
The causes of sports addiction can be varied and are often the result of a combination of different factors. Some of the most common causes and risk factors are
Personality: People with certain personality traits, such as perfectionism, competitiveness and a strong desire for success, may be more prone to developing sports addiction.
Stress management: Exercise can serve as a coping mechanism for stress. People who are under chronic stress may tend to abuse exercise as a way to reduce stress and relax.
Body image and self-esteem: People who have a negative body image or feel low self-esteem may use exercise to boost their self-esteem or to force physical changes.
Social influences: The social environment can play a role. If a person is strongly encouraged by friends, family or society to take part in sport and achieve sporting success, this can increase the risk of sports addiction.
Neurochemical factors: Neurochemical changes in the brain, such as the release of endorphins during exercise, can lead to a positive reinforcement effect and increase the desire to exercise, similar to drugs.
Previous injuries: Sports injuries and the desire to rehabilitate and get back into sport can lead to people over-training and neglecting recovery.
Environmental factors: The availability of sports facilities and the cultural emphasis on physical fitness and athletic performance can play a role.
Consequences of sports addiction
Sports addiction can have a variety of health, social and psychological consequences. Here are some of the possible consequences:
Physical health problems:
- Overtraining: People with a sports addiction tend to ignore their physical limits, which can lead to overtraining and overloading of muscles and joints.
- Injuries: Excessive training increases the risk of injuries such as muscle tears, tendonitis and stress fractures.
- Hormonal imbalances: Extreme training can lead to hormonal imbalances, especially in women, and cause menstrual irregularities or the cessation of menstruation (amenorrhoea).
- Immune system weakness: Overtraining can weaken the immune system, which can lead to increased infections.
- Exhaustion and tiredness: People with a sports addiction are prone to chronic exhaustion and sleep disorders.
Mental health problems:
- Anxiety and depression: Sports addiction can lead to anxiety and depression, especially if those affected are unable to practise the sport due to injuries or compulsions.
- Compulsive behaviour: The compulsive need to exercise can impair quality of life and lead to social isolation.
- Eating disorders: Sports addiction can go hand in hand with eating disorders, as sufferers control their eating behaviour in order to lose weight or improve performance.
Social and professional impact:
- Neglect of social relationships: Sports addiction can lead to those affected neglecting their social activities and relationships.
- Problems at work: If sport becomes a priority, work commitments can be neglected, which can lead to difficulties at work.
Body image and self-esteem:
- Paradoxical effects: Although sport can originally be used to improve self-esteem and body image, sports addiction can lead to a negative self-image, as those affected often "lose" their own perception or self-image and their own achievements never seem sufficient.
Treating and overcoming sports addiction
Overcoming and treating sports addiction requires a holistic approach and should be tailored to the individual needs and challenges of each person affected. Here are some steps and approaches to overcoming a sports addiction:
Insight and acceptance: The first important phase is recognising the problem and accepting that exercise addiction exists. This can be difficult for those affected as they may believe that their excessive training is normal.
Professional helpIt is advisable to seek professional help from a doctor, psychologist or therapist who has experience in treating addictive behaviour and eating disorders. These professionals can make an accurate diagnosis and draw up a treatment plan.
Weaning: In some cases, it may be necessary to reduce or temporarily stop excessive training to give the body time to recover and to break the compulsive training cycle.
Psychotherapy: Therapy approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) or interpersonal therapy can help to identify the underlying causes of sports addiction and develop healthier coping strategies.
Support and social network: The support of friends and family is crucial. Group or self-help groups can also be helpful for socialising and sharing experiences with other people in similar situations.
Nutrition and eating behaviour: In some cases, working with a nutritionist may be necessary to restore healthy eating habits and understand the relationship between diet and exercise.
Stress management and relaxation techniques: Developing healthy stress management strategies and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation can help to reduce the urge to exercise excessively.
Long-term changes: Treating sports addiction often requires long-term changes in lifestyle and mindset. The emphasis should be on a balanced lifestyle that includes sport as part of, but not the centre of, life.
Ultimate Conclusion
Sports addiction is a serious problem that can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected. With the help of professional support, therapy, enormous patience, self-discipline and self-care, I found my way out of the incredible suffering and downward spiral. It was a challenging journey, but in the end I managed to restore my balance and well-being and to see weight training as my passion again and not a compulsion.
If there are signs of sports addiction, especially if they are recognisable by a great deal of suffering, those affected and their relatives should not hesitate to seek professional help to overcome the addiction. A long-term balance between sport and other areas of life is crucial for a healthy and fulfilling life.
SRF DOK
In 2019, I had the chance to take part in a three-part SRF documentary about sports addiction. Maybe you've seen it? The series delved deep into the world of sports addiction and I was one of the people who got to share their personal stories and experiences. For me, it was not only an opportunity for self-reflection, but also a platform to raise awareness about an often misunderstood topic. If you want to find out more, you can watch the full documentary here watch. I hope my story can inspire you to pursue a healthy and balanced lifestyle, while also highlighting the risks and challenges that can come with an over-dedication to exercise.
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