A New Disorder: Exercise Bulimia

Exercise bulimia, a newly discovered eating disorder, also known as “exercise addiction” or “compulsive exercise” is characterized by the desire to purge calories through rigorous exercise.

The symptoms of Exercise bulimia includes intense fear at states of rest, the refuse to eat if the person is unable to exercise, and intense guilt when not exercising. People who suffer from exercise bulimia also prefer working out instead of working, going to school, or participating to family functions or social dates.

The health risks of exercise bulimia include high risk of suffering from exhaustion, muscle tears, dehydration, tendonitis, or joint injuries. In case of women, exercise bulimia along with disordered eating may cause osteoporosis or the loss of menstrual cycle. Heart failure is also a great risk if the individual is not following a healthy diet.

It is difficult to diagnose exercise bulimia since doctors encourage people to stay fit and work out. An overweight person who follows an intense workout, refuses to rest, and feels guilty about how much he or she eats or feels uncomfortable when he or she skips a day of workout may be suffering from exercise bulimia.

Those who may have exercise bulimia can benefit from treatment, like for others eating disorders. The treatment can be followed under the supervision of a doctor, a psychiatrist, an eating disorder sensitive fitness professional, a dietitian, and a therapist.

It is important for people to see the motivation behind the need to work out. When people work out, they should do it with pleasure, for fun, as a way to stay in shape, not to purge.