5 Warning Signs of Eating Disorders in Athletes
There are many warning signs that can take place when someone is struggling with an eating disorder, specifically an athlete. However, it can be difficult to identify who is struggling just by what you see. Athletes that are struggling with an eating disorder are in all different shapes, and body sizes. Seeking eating disorder therapy can be an important step in recognizing and addressing these challenges. We will go over a few things to look out for if you feel you may be struggling with an eating disorder.
Isolation from Others
Isolation usually means that the person may start separating from teammates or friends. They may disappear during or after meal time, or appear very disconnected while eating meals with others. You may notice an increase in anxiety, depression, and loneliness—signs that may indicate the need for support from an eating disorder therapist.
Preoccupation with Food and Their Body
Preoccupation is an experience when there are heightened emotions and thoughts around something specific that become all someone can think about. You may notice a teammate having constant comments or questions about food, limiting certain food groups, or having an extreme focus on calories. This can also look like skipping team bonding dinners, hiding food, or avoiding situations where food is expected to be present. Other signs may look like pretending to eat or leaving to use the restroom right after a meal.
Preoccupation of the body shows up around body image in ways such as weighing themselves often, looking at themselves in the mirror frequently, or feeling different parts of their body. This can make wearing a tight-fitting uniform triggering for someone who is struggling with their body image. A preoccupation with food or the body can impact their ability to concentrate, regulate emotions, and lead to feeling socially isolated from teammates or supporters. So if you notice these symptoms and see that someone is pushing you away, they likely need your support the most!
Frequent Injuries and Difficulty Recovering
If you have never heard of RED-S, injuries can sometimes be a big indicator. RED-S stands for relative energy deficiency in sport. In simplified terms, this is when you are not taking enough energy compared to energy being used. Specifically in female athletes, stress fractures and bone injuries are a big one here. However, this can include any type of injury. Compulsive exercise may be a symptom of an eating disorder, making it difficult to rest or take off days. This can also be a factor in overuse injuries. You may also see recurring injuries that take place, due to the body’s difficulty properly healing. Signs to look out for also include working out when sick or exhausted, doing extra training outside of practice time, or reduced performance due to feeling fatigued or tired.
Mood Shifts
This can look like anything from increased anxiety, depression, or irritability. Irritability tends to be one of the first signs that show up when malnourished. The brain needs food. Period. Especially carbs! Irritability shows up in different ways, such as difficulty processing emotions around the body, increased performance anxiety, more anxiety than usually before and during competitions, and difficulty regulating emotions when needed. You may even see decreased performance due to heightened emotions and stress in the body. Having constant thoughts around food and your body is exhausting. It plays a large emotional toll on your mental health, ultimately impacting how you show up for yourself, and your teammates around you.
Physical Discomfort
Along with frequent injuries, an athlete who is struggling with an eating disorder may experience other physical discomforts such as GI distress and impaired immunity (getting sick often!). Gastrointestinal discomfort has been shown to be linked to just about every type of eating disorder. It is incredibly common and can of course impact performance. The same goes for decreased immunity! When we aren’t fueling enough, our body starts breaking down. If you notice you are getting sick more than usual, nutrition may be something to look at. Serendipity Counseling Services offers 1:1 therapy to anyone struggling with their relationship with food, body, and their sport.
Overcoming Eating Disorders in Athletes: Find Support in Cherry Hill, NJ
Eating disorders show up differently in every single person. However, these are just a few signs that tend to be more likely to appear in an athlete. As an eating disorder therapist in Cherry Hill, NJ, I am here to help. If you or someone you know is struggling with any of the above, you are not alone! Being an athlete puts you at higher risk for an eating disorder. In fact, 1 in 4 athletes struggle with an eating disorder, and about 70% of athletes struggle with disordered eating. Let’s normalize the conversation around eating disorders in sports. Know that it is OK to get support. Follow the steps below to get started:
Experience the benefits of personalized support designed to meet your unique needs as an athlete.
Other Services for Athletes in New Jersey
Beyond individualized eating disorder therapy for athletes, I provide family-centered support to assist parents in guiding their child’s recovery journey. With specialized experience in helping runners facing disordered eating, I am dedicated to fostering awareness through educational talks and leading support groups tailored specifically for athletes.
About the Author: A Trusted Eating Disorder Therapist in Cherry Hill, NJ
Kate Ringwood, LPC is the owner and psychotherapist at Serendipity Counseling Services. She specializes in helping folks through eating disorder recovery as an athlete. Kate has learned through her own experience as an athlete that went through recovery, how difficult the process can be to navigate through. This led Kate to help others redefine who they are and navigate their relationship with food, body, and sport.
