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It's not anorexia nervosa or anorexia bulimia. It's anorexia athletica, and it's an addiction to exercise. More commonly known as compulsive exercise, it is when a person no longer enjoys exercise, but feels obligated to do so. A victim, most prominently a female between the ages of 12 and 19, may experience a sense of guilt and anxiety when missing a work out, and not even sickness or injury can stop him/her from fulfilling the need for exercise.

People who exercise compulsively are commonly talented athletes, and view their self-worth by athletic achievement. So, it stands to reason that people who compulsively exercise have control of their bodies, and are amazing athletes? In contrast, the people who live to work out are the ones who can't keep their eyes open in class, are constantly feeling depressed and are anxious about what they're eating for dinner. They can't perform in sports because they are damaging their bodies, and when small injuries aren't allowed to heal, the harm can be severe. Even more seriously, extreme exercise can place stress on the heart, and along with unhealthy eating disorders, can result in depression and even death.

Anorexia athletica is just as serious as anorexia nervosa (compulsive weight loss) and bulimia nervosa (the binge and purge syndrome), and usually the diseases go hand-in-hand with one another. Since anorexia athletica is the newest disorder being recognized and researched, there is no official diagnosis of the disease. There are however, symptoms that can be identified in athletes who need help.

Victims of anorexia athletica will display all of the following symptoms:

Excessive fear of becoming obese: always talking about their weight, and worrying about their appearance.

Weight loss: greater than 5% of their normal body weight.

Restriction of caloric intake: consciously cutting back on calories in their normal diet, not eating foods they normally would.

Absence of medical illness explaining the weight reduction: there is no explainable reason for a person to lose weight.

Gastrointestinal complaints: such as heartburn, constipation, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Sufferers of anorexia athletica may also be identified by:

Taking time away from work, school, loved ones, and everyday life to work out.

Insisting that their excessive exercising is a healthy behavior, and there is nothing wrong with their schedule.

Always looking for the next challenge, and becoming fanatic about their next exercise session.

Never being satisfied with their athletic accomplishments.

Displaying other compulsive or eating disorders while being obsessed with exercise.

Identifying a victim is the first and most important step toward recovery. If you or someone you know displays the listed symptoms, you can call the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders (ANAD) at 847-831-3438, a service for hotline counseling, or visit them at www.anad.org, or call your family doctor for more information.

Karly Danais is a senior at South Windsor High School. Her monthly column is part of an independent study program and is guided by her student advisor, administrators and NYBOR, LLC. staff. Look for Karly's Corner through the Spring of 2004!

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