Disordered Eating in Athletes: Understanding the Signs and Psychological Treatment
Disordered eating is a significant concern within the athletic community, as athletes are often under intense pressure to perform at their highest potential. The desire to maintain a specific body type, improve performance, or meet weight classifications can lead to unhealthy relationships with food. Recognizing the signs of disordered eating early and seeking appropriate psychological treatment is crucial to supporting recovery and overall well-being.
Symptoms of Disordered Eating in Athletes
Symptoms of Disordered Eating in Athletes
Disordered eating can manifest in various ways, and athletes may struggle with it while still appearing physically fit. Some common symptoms to watch for include:
Preoccupation with food and weight: Athletes may frequently talk about calories, dieting, or body weight. They might engage in obsessive thoughts about food and seem overly concerned with body image.
Extreme restriction or overexercising: Some athletes may severely limit their caloric intake or engage in excessive exercise, even when fatigued or injured, in order to control body weight or appearance.
Frequent injuries or exhaustion: Overtraining, combined with inadequate nutrition, can lead to injuries, fatigue, and a weakened immune system. Athletes with disordered eating may push through these physical symptoms without proper recovery.
Mood swings or irritability: Changes in eating habits can lead to mood swings, irritability, or anxiety, often related to nutrient deficiencies or stress.
Isolation or secrecy: Athletes may avoid social situations, especially those involving meals, or conceal their eating habits. They may lie about their eating patterns or restrict food intake when others aren’t watching.
Binge eating or purging behaviors: Some athletes may experience episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting, laxative use, or excessive fasting, which can be harder to detect.
Psychological Treatment for Disordered Eating in Athletes
Psychological treatment for disordered eating in athletes is essential for addressing both the mental and physical components of the disorder. Here are a few evidence based treatments for disordered eating that are utilized at BrykMinds.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT is a powerful therapeutic approach that helps individuals accept difficult emotions and thoughts rather than trying to suppress or control them. In the context of disordered eating, ACT encourages athletes to recognize and accept feelings like shame or anxiety related to food and body image, without allowing them to dictate behaviors. Through mindfulness exercises and values clarification, ACT helps athletes commit to actions that promote their well-being, such as eating adequately and practicing self-compassion, even when uncomfortable emotions arise. This approach empowers athletes to focus on long-term goals and performance while fostering a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.
Family-Based Therapy (FBT): For younger athletes or those still living at home, Family-Based Therapy can be an effective option. This approach involves the athlete’s family in the treatment process to address any family dynamics that may be contributing to the eating disorder and to ensure a supportive environment for recovery.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: This approach encourages athletes to reconnect with their bodies and increase their awareness of physical hunger cues. Mindfulness techniques can help athletes better manage emotional eating triggers and develop healthier responses to stress, anxiety, or performance pressures.
By recognizing the signs of disordered eating early and seeking effective psychological treatment like ACT, athletes can regain a healthier relationship with food and body image, ultimately leading to better mental health and enhanced performance.
