#acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy, aggregated by home.social.
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DATE: August 10, 2026 at 07:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: How we react to anxiety could be just as important as the anxiety itself
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-we-react-to-anxiety-could-be-just-as-important-as-the-anxiety-itself/
The way a person responds to anxious feelings might play an equally important role in the development of clinical anxiety as the severity of the anxiety itself. According to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, psychological inflexibility is closely linked to whether a person will develop one or more lifetime anxiety disorders. The findings suggest that learning to accept and adapt to anxious feelings could be a useful strategy for mitigating mental health struggles.
From an evolutionary standpoint, anxiety serves a protective function. The emotion prompts individuals to anticipate potential threats and take preemptive action to survive. Running away from a dangerous predator involves fear, but avoiding the places where that predator might hide involves anxiety. Both reactions ultimately promote survival in a hostile world.
Much like a physical smoke detector, the human brain’s threat detection system is designed to sound an alarm to keep a person safe. Biologically speaking, the potential risk of ignoring a smoke detector that occasionally gives false alarms is much greater than the risk of keeping it on alert. The human species would not evolve out of a strategy that has a net survival benefit. Our brains naturally err toward greater threat detection and safety-seeking behaviors.
Despite its evolutionary utility, anxiety can become highly impairing in modern life. A person worried about being fired from a job might spend excessive time checking their work, which paradoxically increases their risk of making errors. This paradox led researchers to investigate whether the transition from normal anxiety to a clinical disorder depends on how a person reacts to those internal warning signals. Max Z. Roberts, a psychology researcher at the University at Albany and Duke University, and his colleagues hypothesized that psychological inflexibility might be a driving factor.
Psychological inflexibility occurs when a person struggles to adapt to difficult thoughts and emotions. Instead of experiencing anxious feelings and choosing how to act based on the situation, an inflexible response typically involves rigid attempts to avoid the discomfort. For example, a person might invariably escape from a social event the moment they feel nervous. Psychological flexibility, on the other hand, allows a person to feel that same nervousness and stay at the event if it aligns with their personal goals.
This framework treats all anxiety conditions as sharing a common underlying mechanism, rather than viewing them as completely separate diseases. An obsession with cleanliness and an intense fear of heights look very different on the surface. Yet, they both represent functionally similar efforts to avoid perceived threats. Evaluating how a person reacts to these threats could reveal a shared pathway for many different anxiety disorders.
Previous studies have found connections between this rigid avoidance and clinical anxiety, but they often relied on older questionnaires. These older assessment tools had been criticized for confusing inflexibility with general emotional distress. To correct for this overlap, Roberts and his team decided to use a newer, more precise psychological survey to test the relationship between mental rigidity and anxiety.
The researchers first recruited a community sample of 265 adults through social media and professional mental health organizations. These participants completed a series of online questionnaires designed to map out their mental health profiles. The surveys asked participants to rate their anxiety levels over the past week and measure their psychological inflexibility over the past two weeks. Participants were also asked to report any lifetime diagnoses of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders, providing a total count of their conditions.
The research team used statistical models to look for patterns in the collected data. They found that severe anxiety symptoms were associated with a higher likelihood of having an anxiety disorder, which aligned with their initial expectations. Even after mathematically accounting for that symptom severity, psychological inflexibility remained strongly linked to a person’s diagnostic history. The way individuals managed their distress proved to be just as impactful as the distress itself.
For every one-point increase on the psychological inflexibility scale, participants in the community group were nearly three times more likely to report having at least one anxiety diagnosis. The data also revealed an increased likelihood of having multiple distinct disorders simultaneously. This suggested that a person’s reaction to their anxiety contributed independently to their mental health burden.
To verify these patterns, the researchers repeated their analysis with a separate group of 853 undergraduate students. These students were attending a large university in the northeastern United States and completed the exact same battery of online assessments as the community group. Because the student sample represented a different age demographic and educational background, this second analysis allowed the researchers to test the robustness of their theory.
The results from the student group closely mirrored the community sample. Higher psychological inflexibility was once again associated with an increased chance of reporting an anxiety disorder, independent of how severe the students’ recent anxiety symptoms were. While the mathematical effect was slightly smaller in the student group, the overarching pattern remained exactly the same. Across both groups, individuals who reported rigid, avoidant responses to their inner distress were more likely to have a history of clinical anxiety conditions.
The researchers also looked at demographic variables in both samples to see if other factors played a role in diagnostic history. They found that identifying as White, and identifying as female, were independently associated with higher odds of reporting an anxiety disorder diagnosis. These demographic links held up even when the researchers held anxiety severity and psychological inflexibility constant in their statistical models.
The research team noted that a formal diagnosis might reflect access to mental health care, cultural help-seeking tendencies, or clinician bias. A self-reported diagnosis is not always a universally objective measure of who experiences the most psychological suffering. Social and cultural factors likely influence who receives formal medical recognition for their anxiety. This highlights a need to better understand how race and gender intersect with mental health evaluations.
The study relied on data collected at a single point in time through cross-sectional surveys. Because the research did not track participants over several years, the data cannot establish a timeline of events. The researchers cannot definitively say whether psychological inflexibility causes anxiety disorders, or if living with an anxiety disorder causes a person to become more psychologically inflexible. Additionally, the diagnoses were self-reported rather than verified by clinical interviews or medical records.
Future research could involve structured clinical assessments to confirm participants’ diagnostic histories. Medical professionals could also explore whether therapies designed to improve psychological flexibility might effectively treat multiple forms of anxiety simultaneously. Treatments like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focus on increasing flexible behavior rather than just trying to eliminate anxiety entirely. Reducing the severity of anxiety symptoms and teaching people how to respond flexibly to those symptoms may both represent viable paths toward improving psychological well-being.
The study, “Psychological Inflexibility’s Associations With Lifetime Anxiety Disorders,” was authored by Max Z. Roberts, James F. Boswell, Rhonda M. Merwin, Alicia A. Lucksted, and John P. Forsyth.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-we-react-to-anxiety-could-be-just-as-important-as-the-anxiety-itself/
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #AnxietyManagement #PsychologicalFlexibility #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #MentalHealthAwareness #AnxietyDisorders #CopingWithAnxiety #AdaptiveResponses #MentalHealthResearch #BehavioralFlexibility #StressAndAnxietyReduction
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DATE: August 10, 2026 at 07:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: How we react to anxiety could be just as important as the anxiety itself
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-we-react-to-anxiety-could-be-just-as-important-as-the-anxiety-itself/
The way a person responds to anxious feelings might play an equally important role in the development of clinical anxiety as the severity of the anxiety itself. According to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, psychological inflexibility is closely linked to whether a person will develop one or more lifetime anxiety disorders. The findings suggest that learning to accept and adapt to anxious feelings could be a useful strategy for mitigating mental health struggles.
From an evolutionary standpoint, anxiety serves a protective function. The emotion prompts individuals to anticipate potential threats and take preemptive action to survive. Running away from a dangerous predator involves fear, but avoiding the places where that predator might hide involves anxiety. Both reactions ultimately promote survival in a hostile world.
Much like a physical smoke detector, the human brain’s threat detection system is designed to sound an alarm to keep a person safe. Biologically speaking, the potential risk of ignoring a smoke detector that occasionally gives false alarms is much greater than the risk of keeping it on alert. The human species would not evolve out of a strategy that has a net survival benefit. Our brains naturally err toward greater threat detection and safety-seeking behaviors.
Despite its evolutionary utility, anxiety can become highly impairing in modern life. A person worried about being fired from a job might spend excessive time checking their work, which paradoxically increases their risk of making errors. This paradox led researchers to investigate whether the transition from normal anxiety to a clinical disorder depends on how a person reacts to those internal warning signals. Max Z. Roberts, a psychology researcher at the University at Albany and Duke University, and his colleagues hypothesized that psychological inflexibility might be a driving factor.
Psychological inflexibility occurs when a person struggles to adapt to difficult thoughts and emotions. Instead of experiencing anxious feelings and choosing how to act based on the situation, an inflexible response typically involves rigid attempts to avoid the discomfort. For example, a person might invariably escape from a social event the moment they feel nervous. Psychological flexibility, on the other hand, allows a person to feel that same nervousness and stay at the event if it aligns with their personal goals.
This framework treats all anxiety conditions as sharing a common underlying mechanism, rather than viewing them as completely separate diseases. An obsession with cleanliness and an intense fear of heights look very different on the surface. Yet, they both represent functionally similar efforts to avoid perceived threats. Evaluating how a person reacts to these threats could reveal a shared pathway for many different anxiety disorders.
Previous studies have found connections between this rigid avoidance and clinical anxiety, but they often relied on older questionnaires. These older assessment tools had been criticized for confusing inflexibility with general emotional distress. To correct for this overlap, Roberts and his team decided to use a newer, more precise psychological survey to test the relationship between mental rigidity and anxiety.
The researchers first recruited a community sample of 265 adults through social media and professional mental health organizations. These participants completed a series of online questionnaires designed to map out their mental health profiles. The surveys asked participants to rate their anxiety levels over the past week and measure their psychological inflexibility over the past two weeks. Participants were also asked to report any lifetime diagnoses of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders, providing a total count of their conditions.
The research team used statistical models to look for patterns in the collected data. They found that severe anxiety symptoms were associated with a higher likelihood of having an anxiety disorder, which aligned with their initial expectations. Even after mathematically accounting for that symptom severity, psychological inflexibility remained strongly linked to a person’s diagnostic history. The way individuals managed their distress proved to be just as impactful as the distress itself.
For every one-point increase on the psychological inflexibility scale, participants in the community group were nearly three times more likely to report having at least one anxiety diagnosis. The data also revealed an increased likelihood of having multiple distinct disorders simultaneously. This suggested that a person’s reaction to their anxiety contributed independently to their mental health burden.
To verify these patterns, the researchers repeated their analysis with a separate group of 853 undergraduate students. These students were attending a large university in the northeastern United States and completed the exact same battery of online assessments as the community group. Because the student sample represented a different age demographic and educational background, this second analysis allowed the researchers to test the robustness of their theory.
The results from the student group closely mirrored the community sample. Higher psychological inflexibility was once again associated with an increased chance of reporting an anxiety disorder, independent of how severe the students’ recent anxiety symptoms were. While the mathematical effect was slightly smaller in the student group, the overarching pattern remained exactly the same. Across both groups, individuals who reported rigid, avoidant responses to their inner distress were more likely to have a history of clinical anxiety conditions.
The researchers also looked at demographic variables in both samples to see if other factors played a role in diagnostic history. They found that identifying as White, and identifying as female, were independently associated with higher odds of reporting an anxiety disorder diagnosis. These demographic links held up even when the researchers held anxiety severity and psychological inflexibility constant in their statistical models.
The research team noted that a formal diagnosis might reflect access to mental health care, cultural help-seeking tendencies, or clinician bias. A self-reported diagnosis is not always a universally objective measure of who experiences the most psychological suffering. Social and cultural factors likely influence who receives formal medical recognition for their anxiety. This highlights a need to better understand how race and gender intersect with mental health evaluations.
The study relied on data collected at a single point in time through cross-sectional surveys. Because the research did not track participants over several years, the data cannot establish a timeline of events. The researchers cannot definitively say whether psychological inflexibility causes anxiety disorders, or if living with an anxiety disorder causes a person to become more psychologically inflexible. Additionally, the diagnoses were self-reported rather than verified by clinical interviews or medical records.
Future research could involve structured clinical assessments to confirm participants’ diagnostic histories. Medical professionals could also explore whether therapies designed to improve psychological flexibility might effectively treat multiple forms of anxiety simultaneously. Treatments like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focus on increasing flexible behavior rather than just trying to eliminate anxiety entirely. Reducing the severity of anxiety symptoms and teaching people how to respond flexibly to those symptoms may both represent viable paths toward improving psychological well-being.
The study, “Psychological Inflexibility’s Associations With Lifetime Anxiety Disorders,” was authored by Max Z. Roberts, James F. Boswell, Rhonda M. Merwin, Alicia A. Lucksted, and John P. Forsyth.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-we-react-to-anxiety-could-be-just-as-important-as-the-anxiety-itself/
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #AnxietyManagement #PsychologicalFlexibility #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #MentalHealthAwareness #AnxietyDisorders #CopingWithAnxiety #AdaptiveResponses #MentalHealthResearch #BehavioralFlexibility #StressAndAnxietyReduction
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DATE: July 23, 2026 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Exercise addiction: Researchers warn against pathologizing healthy dedication to sports and fitness
A recent scientific review provides evidence that physical activity can sometimes transition into a harmful behavioral addiction, though the researchers warn against pathologizing a healthy dedication to sports and fitness. The analysis suggests that truly addicted individuals engage in compulsive training that leads to severe physical and emotional consequences, even though the condition remains absent from official psychiatric diagnostic manuals. The findings were recently published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.
Regular physical activity provides well-documented benefits for both the body and the mind. It lowers the risk of chronic diseases, improves mental health, and boosts overall quality of life. However, exercise can sometimes shift from a healthy habit to an uncontrollable and destructive behavior.
A team of scientists reviewed existing literature to untangle the varying definitions, symptoms, and treatment options surrounding this condition. The research team included Bhavya Chhabra, a researcher at Eötvös Loránd University; Zsolt Demetrovics, a professor in mental health and wellbeing at Flinders University; Attila Szabo, a professor of psychology at Széchenyi István University and Eötvös Loránd University; and Mark D. Griffiths, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University. The authors initiated this review because the scientific community currently struggles to agree on exactly how to define and measure problematic fitness habits.
Exercise addiction is classified as a behavioral addiction. Unlike a substance addiction to drugs or alcohol, a behavioral addiction involves a person becoming dependent on a specific action. In this case, an individual feels intense urges to work out and experiences withdrawal symptoms like emotional distress if they are unable to train.
The scientists explain that true addiction always involves two main ingredients, which are dependence and compulsion. Dependence means the body or mind relies on the activity to function normally. Compulsion refers to an overwhelming, irresistible urge to perform the behavior.
“The key difference is whether exercise is a choice, or something a person feels compelled to do,” Demetrovics said. He notes that passion, discipline, and high training loads are generally positive traits, especially among athletes, but these healthy habits can sometimes tip into harmful territory.
Addiction to physical activity can be categorized as either primary or secondary. In primary exercise addiction, the workout itself is the main source of the addictive reward. In secondary exercise addiction, the excessive activity is driven by another underlying condition, such as an eating disorder or body image disturbance.
“Underlying drivers are often more complex than the workouts themselves, with social pressures around body image and performance, alongside mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, playing a significant role,” Demetrovics said. “In many cases, excessive exercise is linked to deeper issues such as eating disorders or other compulsive behaviors.”
Despite over fifty years of research, this condition is not formally recognized in major medical texts like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The researchers note that this exclusion stems from inconsistent screening methods and a lack of clinical studies. The academic literature uses more than thirty different assessment tools to describe the problem, with no general agreement on which is best.
“It has led to inflated estimates and a tendency to pathologize normal, healthy exercise,” Demetrovics said. He explains that studies on how many people actually suffer from this condition yield highly inconsistent numbers, largely depending on the screening tool used.
“Widely quoted figures suggest up to 42% of some exercising populations are at risk of being labeled addicted to exercise,” Demetrovics said. The authors point out that these inflated numbers likely result from relying on basic self-report surveys, which often struggle to tell the difference between a healthy passion for sports and a true pathology.
“While screening tools can indicate possible risk, they cannot diagnose exercise addiction which means the line is often blurred between genuine harm and healthy commitment,” Szabo said. Questionnaires can measure a person’s dedication, but they cannot replace a formal clinical diagnosis.
“As a result, highly motivated athletes and regular exercisers can be misclassified but it’s important to differentiate that being dedicated to fitness is not the same as addiction,” Szabo said. These high scores often reflect deep passion rather than an underlying mental health issue.
The scientists also mapped out how this addiction tends to develop. They found that it often begins as a recreational activity aimed at improving health. Over time, individuals might start using the activity as a psychological escape to cope with stress or emotional hardship. Eventually, the behavior becomes an inflexible obligation that dominates a person’s life.
These behaviors signal a shift from healthy habits to damaging routines. “Exercising through pain or injury, feeling anxious or guilty when missing sessions, or consistently prioritizing training over rest, relationships or responsibilities are the signals that exercise may be shifting from something enjoyable to something compulsive,” Szabo said.
Psychologically, certain models suggest that addiction arises abruptly from a sudden, overwhelming life stressor. A traumatic event, such as a relationship breakup or job loss, can cause a person to retreat into physical training as their only coping mechanism. This means that for some people, the addiction triggers rapidly in response to psychological pain.
Physiological models provide evidence that natural brain chemicals play a role in this addictive cycle. Engaging in physical activity releases endocannabinoids, which are natural compounds in the body that reduce pain and create a sense of euphoria. People who exercise excessively may become dependent on this chemical response, experiencing drug-like withdrawal symptoms when they rest.
Another biological explanation focuses on resting energy levels. This idea suggests that regular physical activity lowers a person’s baseline nervous system activity. To counteract feeling lethargic during the day, the individual might feel forced to increase their workout volume just to feel normal and alert.
The resulting negative consequences span multiple areas of an individual’s life. Addicted exercisers often push through severe physical injuries, knowing their actions will cause further bodily harm. They also tend to neglect family, friends, and work responsibilities, leading to social isolation and a decreased quality of life.
Regarding treatment, the authors found that interventions used for other behavioral addictions show promise. Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely recommended to help patients identify maladaptive thought patterns and establish balanced fitness routines. This form of therapy helps individuals change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors into healthier ones.
Acceptance and commitment therapy is another suggested approach. This therapy encourages patients to mindfully accept the uncomfortable cravings they feel when they miss a workout, rather than acting on them. By developing psychological flexibility, individuals can slowly break the addictive cycle and find alternative ways to cope with stress.
Cue exposure therapy is another method discussed by the scientists. In this approach, a psychologist repeatedly exposes a patient to triggers that normally cause the urge to work out. The patient is then guided to resist the behavior, which slowly weakens the mental link between the trigger and the compulsion.
Substitution therapy also offers a practical path forward. This strategy encourages patients to find pleasure in alternative, low-impact activities. Hobbies like meditation, yoga, or volunteer work can replace the problematic behavior and provide a different source of personal reward.
Psychological therapies are the first line of defense, but the researchers note that pharmacological treatments could be considered in certain cases. Medications that help balance brain chemicals have proven effective for other behavioral addictions, like compulsive gambling or shopping. Because exercise addiction lacks an official medical diagnosis, doctors rarely prescribe medication specifically for this condition.
A major limitation in current research is the heavy reliance on screening questionnaires rather than clinical interviews. High scores on these tests simply indicate a risk of addiction, which is often misinterpreted as a confirmed diagnosis. A person might score high simply because they are highly dedicated to a sport, rather than actually suffering from a mental health disorder.
Future studies need to shift their focus from calculating risk scores to studying actual, diagnosed cases of addiction. The authors recommend increased collaboration between academic researchers and clinical psychologists. When researchers identify someone at risk, they should refer that person to a clinician who can determine if a true addiction exists.
There is also a pressing need for larger, long-term studies that track individuals over extended periods. Experimental research will help scientists better understand the underlying causes of this disorder. Establishing solid clinical evidence is a necessary step before exercise addiction can be officially recognized in diagnostic manuals.
Even without an official diagnosis, public health initiatives can take steps to minimize harm. Promoting balanced fitness routines and educating sports organizations about the warning signs of overtraining can help prevent healthy habits from turning into destructive compulsions. Educational campaigns should emphasize overall well-being over extreme performance or appearance goals.
The researchers hope their findings encourage a more balanced approach to physical fitness. “Our message isn’t to exercise less, it’s to exercise smarter by building in rest and recovery days, focusing on overall wellbeing rather than appearance or performance, and seeking support early if exercise starts to feel like an obligation rather than a choice,” Szabo said.
Recognizing personal limits remains an essential part of any training program. “In a culture that celebrates pushing harder, more isn’t always better and staying healthy means knowing when to pull back as well as when to push forward,” Demetrovics said.
The paper, “Exercise addiction: A review and evaluation of current research and theory,” was authored by Bhavya Chhabra, Zsolt Demetrovics, Mark D. Griffiths, and Attila Szabo.
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #ExerciseAddiction #HealthyDedicationVsAddiction #BehavioralAddictions #OvertrainingAwareness #BalancedFitness #RecoveryAndRest #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #CueExposureTherapy #MentalHealthInSports
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DATE: July 23, 2026 at 12:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Exercise addiction: Researchers warn against pathologizing healthy dedication to sports and fitness
A recent scientific review provides evidence that physical activity can sometimes transition into a harmful behavioral addiction, though the researchers warn against pathologizing a healthy dedication to sports and fitness. The analysis suggests that truly addicted individuals engage in compulsive training that leads to severe physical and emotional consequences, even though the condition remains absent from official psychiatric diagnostic manuals. The findings were recently published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.
Regular physical activity provides well-documented benefits for both the body and the mind. It lowers the risk of chronic diseases, improves mental health, and boosts overall quality of life. However, exercise can sometimes shift from a healthy habit to an uncontrollable and destructive behavior.
A team of scientists reviewed existing literature to untangle the varying definitions, symptoms, and treatment options surrounding this condition. The research team included Bhavya Chhabra, a researcher at Eötvös Loránd University; Zsolt Demetrovics, a professor in mental health and wellbeing at Flinders University; Attila Szabo, a professor of psychology at Széchenyi István University and Eötvös Loránd University; and Mark D. Griffiths, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University. The authors initiated this review because the scientific community currently struggles to agree on exactly how to define and measure problematic fitness habits.
Exercise addiction is classified as a behavioral addiction. Unlike a substance addiction to drugs or alcohol, a behavioral addiction involves a person becoming dependent on a specific action. In this case, an individual feels intense urges to work out and experiences withdrawal symptoms like emotional distress if they are unable to train.
The scientists explain that true addiction always involves two main ingredients, which are dependence and compulsion. Dependence means the body or mind relies on the activity to function normally. Compulsion refers to an overwhelming, irresistible urge to perform the behavior.
“The key difference is whether exercise is a choice, or something a person feels compelled to do,” Demetrovics said. He notes that passion, discipline, and high training loads are generally positive traits, especially among athletes, but these healthy habits can sometimes tip into harmful territory.
Addiction to physical activity can be categorized as either primary or secondary. In primary exercise addiction, the workout itself is the main source of the addictive reward. In secondary exercise addiction, the excessive activity is driven by another underlying condition, such as an eating disorder or body image disturbance.
“Underlying drivers are often more complex than the workouts themselves, with social pressures around body image and performance, alongside mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, playing a significant role,” Demetrovics said. “In many cases, excessive exercise is linked to deeper issues such as eating disorders or other compulsive behaviors.”
Despite over fifty years of research, this condition is not formally recognized in major medical texts like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The researchers note that this exclusion stems from inconsistent screening methods and a lack of clinical studies. The academic literature uses more than thirty different assessment tools to describe the problem, with no general agreement on which is best.
“It has led to inflated estimates and a tendency to pathologize normal, healthy exercise,” Demetrovics said. He explains that studies on how many people actually suffer from this condition yield highly inconsistent numbers, largely depending on the screening tool used.
“Widely quoted figures suggest up to 42% of some exercising populations are at risk of being labeled addicted to exercise,” Demetrovics said. The authors point out that these inflated numbers likely result from relying on basic self-report surveys, which often struggle to tell the difference between a healthy passion for sports and a true pathology.
“While screening tools can indicate possible risk, they cannot diagnose exercise addiction which means the line is often blurred between genuine harm and healthy commitment,” Szabo said. Questionnaires can measure a person’s dedication, but they cannot replace a formal clinical diagnosis.
“As a result, highly motivated athletes and regular exercisers can be misclassified but it’s important to differentiate that being dedicated to fitness is not the same as addiction,” Szabo said. These high scores often reflect deep passion rather than an underlying mental health issue.
The scientists also mapped out how this addiction tends to develop. They found that it often begins as a recreational activity aimed at improving health. Over time, individuals might start using the activity as a psychological escape to cope with stress or emotional hardship. Eventually, the behavior becomes an inflexible obligation that dominates a person’s life.
These behaviors signal a shift from healthy habits to damaging routines. “Exercising through pain or injury, feeling anxious or guilty when missing sessions, or consistently prioritizing training over rest, relationships or responsibilities are the signals that exercise may be shifting from something enjoyable to something compulsive,” Szabo said.
Psychologically, certain models suggest that addiction arises abruptly from a sudden, overwhelming life stressor. A traumatic event, such as a relationship breakup or job loss, can cause a person to retreat into physical training as their only coping mechanism. This means that for some people, the addiction triggers rapidly in response to psychological pain.
Physiological models provide evidence that natural brain chemicals play a role in this addictive cycle. Engaging in physical activity releases endocannabinoids, which are natural compounds in the body that reduce pain and create a sense of euphoria. People who exercise excessively may become dependent on this chemical response, experiencing drug-like withdrawal symptoms when they rest.
Another biological explanation focuses on resting energy levels. This idea suggests that regular physical activity lowers a person’s baseline nervous system activity. To counteract feeling lethargic during the day, the individual might feel forced to increase their workout volume just to feel normal and alert.
The resulting negative consequences span multiple areas of an individual’s life. Addicted exercisers often push through severe physical injuries, knowing their actions will cause further bodily harm. They also tend to neglect family, friends, and work responsibilities, leading to social isolation and a decreased quality of life.
Regarding treatment, the authors found that interventions used for other behavioral addictions show promise. Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely recommended to help patients identify maladaptive thought patterns and establish balanced fitness routines. This form of therapy helps individuals change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors into healthier ones.
Acceptance and commitment therapy is another suggested approach. This therapy encourages patients to mindfully accept the uncomfortable cravings they feel when they miss a workout, rather than acting on them. By developing psychological flexibility, individuals can slowly break the addictive cycle and find alternative ways to cope with stress.
Cue exposure therapy is another method discussed by the scientists. In this approach, a psychologist repeatedly exposes a patient to triggers that normally cause the urge to work out. The patient is then guided to resist the behavior, which slowly weakens the mental link between the trigger and the compulsion.
Substitution therapy also offers a practical path forward. This strategy encourages patients to find pleasure in alternative, low-impact activities. Hobbies like meditation, yoga, or volunteer work can replace the problematic behavior and provide a different source of personal reward.
Psychological therapies are the first line of defense, but the researchers note that pharmacological treatments could be considered in certain cases. Medications that help balance brain chemicals have proven effective for other behavioral addictions, like compulsive gambling or shopping. Because exercise addiction lacks an official medical diagnosis, doctors rarely prescribe medication specifically for this condition.
A major limitation in current research is the heavy reliance on screening questionnaires rather than clinical interviews. High scores on these tests simply indicate a risk of addiction, which is often misinterpreted as a confirmed diagnosis. A person might score high simply because they are highly dedicated to a sport, rather than actually suffering from a mental health disorder.
Future studies need to shift their focus from calculating risk scores to studying actual, diagnosed cases of addiction. The authors recommend increased collaboration between academic researchers and clinical psychologists. When researchers identify someone at risk, they should refer that person to a clinician who can determine if a true addiction exists.
There is also a pressing need for larger, long-term studies that track individuals over extended periods. Experimental research will help scientists better understand the underlying causes of this disorder. Establishing solid clinical evidence is a necessary step before exercise addiction can be officially recognized in diagnostic manuals.
Even without an official diagnosis, public health initiatives can take steps to minimize harm. Promoting balanced fitness routines and educating sports organizations about the warning signs of overtraining can help prevent healthy habits from turning into destructive compulsions. Educational campaigns should emphasize overall well-being over extreme performance or appearance goals.
The researchers hope their findings encourage a more balanced approach to physical fitness. “Our message isn’t to exercise less, it’s to exercise smarter by building in rest and recovery days, focusing on overall wellbeing rather than appearance or performance, and seeking support early if exercise starts to feel like an obligation rather than a choice,” Szabo said.
Recognizing personal limits remains an essential part of any training program. “In a culture that celebrates pushing harder, more isn’t always better and staying healthy means knowing when to pull back as well as when to push forward,” Demetrovics said.
The paper, “Exercise addiction: A review and evaluation of current research and theory,” was authored by Bhavya Chhabra, Zsolt Demetrovics, Mark D. Griffiths, and Attila Szabo.
-------------------------------------------------
Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org
Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot
-------------------------------------------------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #ExerciseAddiction #HealthyDedicationVsAddiction #BehavioralAddictions #OvertrainingAwareness #BalancedFitness #RecoveryAndRest #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #CueExposureTherapy #MentalHealthInSports
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Western psychology often violates Buddhism, by selling Buddhist techniques (equanimity as 'radical acceptance', detached awareness as 'cognitive defusion', etc) at the high price of a psychotherapist. Buddha wanted his Dhamma to be freely available for everyone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acceptance_and_commitment_therapy
#psychology #west #buddhism #equanimity #radicalacceptance #mindfulness #cognitivedefusion #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy #therapy #psychotherapy #dhamma #free #price #money #greed #violation
#exploitation -
Western psychology often violates Buddhism, by selling Buddhist techniques (equanimity as 'radical acceptance', detached awareness as 'cognitive defusion', etc) at the high price of a psychotherapist. Buddha wanted his Dhamma to be freely available for everyone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acceptance_and_commitment_therapy
#psychology #west #buddhism #equanimity #radicalacceptance #mindfulness #cognitivedefusion #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy #therapy #psychotherapy #dhamma #free #price #money #greed #violation
#exploitation -
Navigating the Symphony of Sound: Understanding Auditory Phantom Perception
#AuditoryPhantomPerception #SoundJourney #MentalHealth #CochlearNucleus #BehavioralTechniques #SelfManagement #CognitiveRestructuring #SoundEnrichment #Mindfulness #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #PhantomSounds #HearingHealth #MentalWellness #RelaxationTechniques #Audiology
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What on earth are towards and away moves? It was an idea I heard about and when I found out it was an #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy concept, I knew this was a topic to discuss with Dr Jan Eppingstall. So here's what towards moves and away moves are - listen to episode 182 for the full story.
Find the podcast by searching for That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding podcast in your podcast player.
#hoarding #hoardingdisorder #hoardingpodcast #mentalhealth -
Embrace Change: Your Journey with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
#AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy #MentalHealth #SelfDiscovery #Mindfulness #PsychologicalFlexibility #HealingJourney #AnxietySupport #DepressionHelp #ChronicPainManagement #MentalWellness #Therapy #PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #CognitiveFusion #ExperientialAvoidance #WellBeing
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"Acceptance is not giving up, it’s not settling, it’s not giving in. Acceptance is surrendering to the truth of what happened and then taking an active role in what happens next" - @stuff_ology
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(4/…)
3. RFT shows that there *are* ways of becoming more psychologically flexible. The method, by excellence, is #ACT ( #AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy ). It teaches us to relate to our internal experiences in better ways, so that we can accept our inner experiences and commit to act so that our lives are meaningful. How does this relate to GTD? … -
Heard about this book that came out today on the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. #ACT #AcceptanceandCommitmentTherapy https://www.amazon.com/Out-Fire-Systemic-Acceptance-Commitment-ebook/dp/B09RN5B6XV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1669850618&sr=8-1
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#introduction
At work:
* I'm a #ChildPsychologist running a therapy program for #kids under age 5.* Clinical Interest Shortlist:
#ChildParentPsychotherapy
#AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy
#neurodiversity
#TraumaInformedSystems
#CommunityMentalHealth
the therapeutic use of #RolePlayingGamesAt rest:
* I play #BoardGames, #ttrpgs, #Zelda games, and #Guitar.
* I'm an aspirational #SongWriter, #StoryWriter.
* I can spend a whole day #reading and not feel bad about it.Thanks for having me!
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#introduction
At work:
* I'm a #ChildPsychologist running a therapy program for #kids under age 5.* Clinical Interest Shortlist:
#ChildParentPsychotherapy
#AcceptanceAndCommitmentTherapy
#neurodiversity
#TraumaInformedSystems
#CommunityMentalHealth
the therapeutic use of #RolePlayingGamesAt rest:
* I play #BoardGames, #ttrpgs, #Zelda games, and #Guitar.
* I'm an aspirational #SongWriter, #StoryWriter.
* I can spend a whole day #reading and not feel bad about it.Thanks for having me!
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I'm originally from Northumberland in the UK and now live near Sevilla in Spain. My interests include #behaviouralscience #behavioralscience #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy #ACT #workplacewellbeing #mentalhealth #wellbeing #podcast #podcasting #peoplesoup #mindfulness #acceptance #cycling #meditation #adaptability #leadership #coaching #CIPD #RSA
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I'm originally from Northumberland in the UK and now live near Sevilla in Spain. My interests include #behaviouralscience #behavioralscience #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy #ACT #workplacewellbeing #mentalhealth #wellbeing #podcast #podcasting #peoplesoup #mindfulness #acceptance #cycling #meditation #adaptability #leadership #coaching #CIPD #RSA
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Just arrived on this platform and it looks like I'm alone, for now. So, I thought I'd send out (what I think is) the first #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy hashtag on here as a beacon for any new arrivals who want to connect.
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Just arrived on this platform and it looks like I'm alone, for now. So, I thought I'd send out (what I think is) the first #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy hashtag on here as a beacon for any new arrivals who want to connect.