The Role of Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour in Sport and Exercise

The Role of Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour in Sport & Exercise

Good luck rituals – are they a help or a hinder?

Legs of athlete near the tennis racket and ball Many athletes and sports enthusiasts develop strong superstitious beliefs, leading them to engage in particular rituals and routines that they feel will enhance their performance. Once their rituals have been carried out, their obsessive behaviour gives them an illusion of power, control, and reassurance, helping them to eliminate any doubt and anxiety they may be experiencing to achieve that “just right” feeling. Surprisingly, many famous athletes admit to having engaged in unusual obsessive habits regarding their sport, including the professional tennis players Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, the Canadian diver Kelly MacDonald, and Georges St-Peirre the former UFC mixed-martial arts welter-weight champion. While it is all fine and well to have a few superstitious rituals and strong held beliefs associated with associated with sport and exercise, it is helpful to acknowledge the difference between little quirks functioning to accelerate performance, and full blown obsessive routines that overtake normal daily life functioning.

Here is an interesting clip capturing the extent to which OCD behaviours can manifest in sport, demonstrated in tennis player, Rafael Nadal’s pre-match rituals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCA6I13aczM

What are some examples of superstitious behaviours that can occur in sport and exercise OCD?

Performing a particular set of rituals before commencing a game of sport, a competition, or a workout as a “good luck” charm
Feeling as though something bad may happen, or their performance will be negatively impacted if their rituals aren’t carried out either before, during, or after their particular sport or exercise
Feeling an overwhelming level of distress, fear, shame, failure, or guilt if their rituals or obsessive behaviour towards their sport cannot be completed

sports watch couple

Whether it’s about burning calories or building muscle – can there be too much of a good thing?

“Anorexia Athletica” (Hypergymnasia) and “Bigorexia” (muscle dismorphia)

Muscular male bodybuilder drinking protein shake from blender

While the concerning obesity epidemic has caught some much needed attention in the media, it seems as though as a result, society has become fixated with all things related to the topic of health and wellbeing – with gym, exercise, and fitness at the top of the list. Yes, exercise has been proven to have a number of health benefits, but there is a fine line between what’s necessary (for these intents and purposes) and what’s excessive. While gym goers and athletes receive praise for all their hard work and meticulousness dedication, some light needs to be shed on the under acknowledged topic of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in sport – too easily disguised as those who may take their fitness rituals, goals, and achievements to the extreme.

Individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) experience intrusive and distressing thoughts (obsessions), leading them to engage in particular acts (compulsions), in order to relinquish their anxiety and stabilise their uneasy emotions. Just like the typical stereotypical depiction of individuals with OCD develop a preoccupation with washing their hands or scrubbing the floor, (which are learnt ritualistic behaviours they feel compelled to carry out to ease their distress), similar rituals, obsessions and compulsive acts can be developed in athletes who engage in various sports, body building, and even non-competitive personal exercise. From the same playing field, Anorexia Athletica (Hypergymnasia), and Bigorexia (muscle dismorphia) are the titles that have been given to the under acknowledged (and seemingly overlooked) disorders, that best describe obsessive and compulsive behaviours towards exercise, fitness, athletic performance, and muscle definition – questionably occurring much more frequently than we think, across the male and female fitness enthusiasts in our achievement and performance driven society.

What are the symptoms of obsessive thoughts and behaviours around exercise?

Feeling as though exercise is no longer a choice, it “must” be done
Exercise and sport rituals take priority over anything else – interfering with daily functioning including work and social commitments
Feeling intense guilt, shame, or anxiety if particular exercise(s) are not completed by a certain quantity, quality time, or intensity
Exercising through muscle fatigue, cramps, or illness –driven by compulsion
Defining their self-worth on their exercise performance
Feel they will become “out of control” without exercising or engaging in their exercise rituals
No longer enjoying exercise, but still doing it excessively
Feeling as though their performance is never “good enough”, causing them to train longer and harder (with higher goals)

So what’s the difference between dedication and obsessiveness?

It is important to make the distinction between a healthy weekly exercise regime focusing on enjoyment, achievement, and improving or maintaining health and fitness levels, and the unhealthy behaviour that begins to take over when obsessions around sport and exercise develop. The warning signs to look out for is when exercise begins to disrupt normal daily functioning, impair concentration and enjoyment in other areas of life, damage relationships, or take priority. If you miss a workout or cannot perform exercise or sport in a particular manner (such as following a certain rigid routine, ritual, or repetition) and you experience an overwhelming level of distress, shame or guilt, it is strongly advised to seek help from one of our psychologists specialising in anxiety and OCD. Even if you are uncertain that you may have developed (or are developing) OCD behaviours in regard to sport or exercise, it may be beneficial to gain an objective assessment from one of our team, so that the appropriate treatment can be carried out before the behaviours worsens. Many people who are in the grip of OCD are often unaware of the extent to which their behaviours have taken over their life, and find it hard to admit their problem or to seek help.