Compulsive Exercise Disorder Treatment & Therapy in Austin Texas

Compulsive exercise has been shown to affect not only mental health but also physical health. Those struggling with compulsive exercise disorder may experience higher anxiety and stress levels, low self-esteem, and depression. Physical complications include chronic bone and joint pain, increased risk of injury, persistent muscle aches, loss of menstrual cycle, bone density loss, altered resting heart rate, and fatigue. In addition to health concerns, compulsive exercise disorder can affect one’s relationships and lead to social withdrawal or interpersonal conflict.

Therapy can provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to examine your beliefs around exercise and self-worth. Your therapist will work with you to identify and deconstruct unhelpful and limiting beliefs to make room for flexibility, self-acceptance, and a more peaceful relationship with movement. Together, you will work to gain a deeper understanding of what role exercise has played in your life. Since exercise is often used as a coping tool for managing difficult emotions, your therapist can facilitate identifying triggers that lead to compulsive exercise and will be at your side while you try out new coping tools. Therapy for compulsive exercise can help you cultivate confidence and self-worth outside of exercise.

Overall, movement becomes fun again! Think of the things you liked doing as a kid, and allow yourself to participate in that kind of movement again. Exercise is no longer seen as a punishment or compensation. You no longer think of what exercise you “should” do but rather listen to what your body wants you to do. Instead, you exercise for mental wellbeing over physique. You allow yourself to make modifications while exercising rather than pushing yourself too hard. You’ll focus on being present in your own body during movement rather than comparing yourself to others around you, and you allow for rest days. You listen to your internal cues and honor your body’s needs. With intuitive movement, you choose movement that brings you joy and comfort. You disconnect body image from self-worth. As a result, you have autonomy again.