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BBC Health 📅 24 Oct 2026 ⏱ 1 min read Mental Health / Psychiatry

Fitness became an addiction that left me anxious and sleep deprived

Wayne Davies was left "constantly worrying" about race times, comparing himself to other runners on social media.

ClinicaliQ Brief
  • Exercise addiction is a recognised condition characterised by compulsive behaviour, anxiety, and functional impairment—clinicians should consider screening for obsessive training patterns in patients presenting with sleep disturbance or anxiety.
  • Social media comparison fuels maladaptive exercise behaviour—GPs should counsel patients on the psychological risks of fitness-focused social media and discuss healthy boundaries around training and performance metrics.
  • Multidisciplinary assessment may be needed—patients with suspected exercise addiction should be evaluated for underlying mental health conditions (anxiety, body dysmorphia) and referred to sports psychiatry or psychology services where available.
Source Standfirst

Wayne Davies was left "constantly worrying" about race times, comparing himself to other runners on social media.

Why this is a brief, not a republished article

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Source
BBC Health
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