I record everything I eat, including calories and exercise. I no longer purge but I think I've developed an exercise addiction. I have the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia but have a 22.6 BMI, so I'm closer to obese than under-weight. Do I have a problem?

Submitted by cikan Wed 05/05/2010

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There is often a compulsive

Submitted by mwilliams on Tue, 06/15/2010 - 1:11pm.

There is often a compulsive element to eating disorders, and it sounds like you may be in that boat. Exercise addiction is certainly a real problem, but it is often one that is hard to get sympathy for. After all, people see you exercising and may think you are very healthy, when in reality you are tormented. So, I indeed sympathize with you if you are suffering from this.

Your BMI has nothing to do with whether or not you suffer from a disorder so do not obsess about that, endlessly analyzing. You have an exercise addiction if you obsess all day about your weight and use your exercise as a compulsion after you eat.

Eating disorder – including exercise addiction – are quite dangerous so I would recommend getting diagnosed and then if you have it, treated before you cause yourself any physical harm.

Best of luck,
Dr. Williams

—

Monnica T. Williams, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist specializing in OCD
http://www.monnicawilliams.com

For Treatment Options Call (877) 331-9311

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