The common saying goes there's no such thing as too much of a good thing. However, while exercise is usually good for you, too much can damage your body and mind. If exercise becomes a compulsive behavior disorder, it can be hard to change your behavior without help.

Signs

You may notice several of these signs in yourself or someone you care about that may be addicted to exercising:

Exercising when sick or fatigued

Feeling guilt or shame when you can't exercise

Skipping work or school to go to the gym

Exercising compulsively at odd times of day, like in the middle of the night

Exercising instead of engaging in social activities with family and friends

Frequent injuries from exercising

Feeling irritable and anxious when unable to exercise

Causes

Exercising releases endorphins into your body, which causes an increased sense of happiness and well-being. Most people feel almost euphoric after exercising. Some people get an addiction to this feeling. Exercising is also a good way to relieve stress, but if frequent workouts turn into a way of avoiding problems, this is also a symptom of addiction. Finally, people with negative self-images and low self-esteem may overexercise because they are never convinced they are thin enough or have enough muscle mass and definition.

Treatments

Exercise addiction may lead to a variety of problems. It can cause anxiety, fatigue, muscle aches, difficulty relaxing, long-term damage to bones and other body structures, and problems in relationships with friends and family. A psychologist will be able to help you learn the causes of your problem and work with you on a treatment plan to eliminate the compulsive need to exercise. He or she may prescribe medication for obsessive-compulsive disorder that will aid in your addiction recovery. You will not have to give up exercising, but instead learn to do it in a healthy and moderate manner.

Solace Counseling in Texas can help with addiction problems like overexercising. Get more information on Facebook and Twitter.