If the mountain calls too often, addictive behavior may be involved. That’s the summary of the results of an online survey of 335 regular and extreme mountaineers, according to which nearly a quarter were diagnosed with “mountain addiction.”
The study, which was conducted as part of a dissertation, was based on an online questionnaire, which was also used in a similar form for “other behavioral addictions” and was distributed through alpine clubs around the turn of the year 2019/2020, for example. For example, the “mountain addiction” was aroused by asking questions about focusing on summit wins or kick experiences.
“The study also looked at factors such as ‘sensation seeking’ (seeking new experiences to experience constant tension; note) or the effects of mountain climbing on emotion regulation,” emphasized study leader, psychiatrist and neurologist Katharina Hüfner of the University Clinic of Psychiatry II at the Medical University of Innsbruck in an APA interview.
Not a sport, but clearly addictive behavior
Before the work began, the results of which were published in August, it was important to clearly separate potential mountain addiction from healthy exercise, Huefner said. “It’s certainly not about sports, exercise or health aspects, but about the obvious addictive behavior of having to reach as many peaks as possible,” she said.
But that alone isn’t a “mountain addiction” either: “The crucial thing is that the life of mountain addicts is very much focused on mountaineering, it requires a constant dose increase and withdrawal symptoms occur even when there is no mountain to climb.”
In any case, this kind of addictive mountaineering behavior is “like a pull,” Hüfner emphasized. It is important that there is one “too many”. The prevailing image of the healthy, resilient mountaineer does not always hold true.
Higher levels of mental stress
The scientist noted that mountain addicts also showed higher levels of depression, mental stress or anxiety symptoms than non-mountain addicts. Besides “mountain addiction”, other addictions such as alcohol addiction also increased among the people.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
