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"Compulsive exercise is a socially acceptable prison cell": Exploring experiences with compulsive exercise across
Laura Hallward1, Lindsay R Duncan1
1Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Compulsive exercise (CE) in eating disorders (EDs) is often misunderstood. Online discussions reveal individuals seek control but lose it to CE, highlighting challenges in recovery and the need for better awareness and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Online eating disorder (ED) communities offer insights into recovery and support.
- Compulsive exercise (CE) is a key ED characteristic lacking sufficient understanding.
- Exploring online CE experiences can illuminate its role in EDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore lived experiences of compulsive exercise (CE) among individuals with eating disorders (EDs) as shared on social media.
Main Methods:
- Collected social media posts related to CE and EDs from Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, and forums over 12 months.
- Conducted a thematic analysis of 881 posts to identify common themes in individuals' lived experiences with CE.
Main Results:
- Identified five key themes: seeking control, "burning off binges," recovery as a battle, questioning exercise health, and frustration with comments on CE.
- Discovered novel insights into the recovery experience from individuals' lived CE experiences.
- Highlighted the need for improved treatment and increased public/healthcare provider awareness of CE.
Conclusions:
- Lived experiences of CE support current definitions and offer new perspectives on ED recovery.
- Online data underscore the necessity for specialized CE treatment and broader public awareness.
- Further research into online communities can enhance understanding and support for individuals with EDs and CE.
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