“Bigorexia is a term which designates an excessive practice of sport, with psychic manifestations linked to lack when there is no physical exercise”, introduces Parisian addictologist Dan Velea. He warns in the preamble that we do not speak of “mental illness”, but of “addictive disorder. Like pathological gambling or sexual addiction, bigorexia is classified under impulse control disorders.
Many causes of addiction to sport
Bigorexia can occur in people of all ages and can be linked to different causes. How is it explained? As a first part of the answer, Dr. Velea explains : “There may be a disorder of the body image, of the defective self-image … that is to say, bigorexia can respond to a narcissistic disorder. Some people also suffer from this addiction, motivated by the idea of modifying their body envelope. ” But that’s not all.
The specialist explains that, as with eating disorders, “bigorexia is a way to regain control over the body, over its health.” In general, addictions “allow to face something” he illustrates. “That is to say, they have an adaptive dimension, they are born to face a phenomenon, such as disenchantment, rejection, trauma, to face a complex too. It is not necessarily targeted. ”
Bigorexia is therefore multifactorial, just as it is “multi-results” he specifies. “We see our body transforming, we control our organism, our muscle mass. We also have a great pleasure of the practice thanks to the secretion of endorphins, a hellish fishing … Addiction in general and particularly the bigorexia makes it possible to belong to a group: that of high-level athletes. ” These are all consequences that lead to and fuel addiction.
What risks, what treatment for bigorexia?
From a risk point of view, the addictologist points to the body’s dependence on endorphins, but also the risk of injury, or the appearance other addictions that usually result from bigorexia, such as taking anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers to allow you to continue practicing despite an injury. Or finally, the consumption of doping substances sometimes associated with bigorexia. These present risks at the cardiac, digestive, renal level …
Support is provided as for any addiction. “We must try to rationalize the practice of sport, without necessarily campaigning for a drastic withdrawal. You cannot reach a stage of addiction to your own endorphins, but the withdrawal phenomenon can be felt with pain that occurs, without it being too difficult to manage. We sometimes see depressive contexts in people who reduce their sports practices, it is also possible to support from a medicinal point of view at this level “, he ends.
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