Therapists Seeing More ‘Divorce By Triathlon’

After hearing this story on my way to work this morning, I was left in a combined state of anger, sadness and frustration. As a woman who has battled through many long years of treatment – and proudly, recovery – from anorexia and compulsive exercise addiction, this story minimized the serious ramifications on the self and others from exercise addiction and obsession. I, too, hid under the laurels of being a super fit and healthy person who loved the challenges of long races and pushing myself to the limit – until it slowly destroyed meaningful relationships in my life, as well as consumed every moment and emotion I had. Preoccupation is an understatement. When I heard of the couples seeking treatment in this story, I was catapulted back to my therapist’s couch, with a loved one pleading with me to “take it easy” and “make time for other aspects of life” – naturally, I thought he was being lazy and just didn’t “get” my drive. Now, after some years of health, reflection and a crumbled relationship with that person, I view that period of life as a type of prison sentence.
Many of the individuals (NOTE: not all, I am not lumping everyone who exercises into this category) are in serious need of emotional and physical support to end the destructive cycle of exercise addiction. I was prompted to offer these comments because eating disorders (including exercise addiction) are often overlooked in our culture that idolizes extreme thinness and fitness. It is dangerous to glorify these issues in any manner – and the answer is certainly not to turn the other eye and feel you must accept this illness to be a supportive spouse. Instead, we must work to bring these individuals back from the dark, personal destruction of their diseases.