Athletes often equate weight loss or low weight with peak performance – which can lead to dysfunctional eating
DEBBIE LAWRENCE Development manager at Active IQ
T
here are a whole myriad of factors which may contribute to eating disorders and depression. Depression
is a mood disorder which is diagnosed when these symptoms are reported. Eating disorders involve behaviours, such as food restriction and self- starvation or binge and purging (vomiting, over-exercise or use of laxatives) which may be a mechanism for managing the underlying feelings. Athletes are human beings – they're not immune to neurosis. They experience the same stresses and strains of daily living as the rest of us. They also have to learn to cope with the pressure of
competition and performing to the expectations of self and others; and when performance is under par, the public and media response (including comments on social media) is of- ten very negative and critical and athletes have to find ways to handle this, along with their own feelings of disappoint- ment and failure. For young athletes, it's a real challenge and awareness and support from their respective coaches, governing bodies and family will be crucial. Discipline and sacrifice are part of an athlete’s lifestyle. They
commit to gruelling training routines and sacrifice some of the pleasures that others enjoy. They also have to manipulate and control their diet to meet energy demands, as well as aesthetic or weight restriction which are required for certain sports. Eating disorders may develop as an extension of that control.
Restricting food intake and controlling weight may be the only coping strategies the person feels they have. Ultimately, there is much to learn and understand and listening to the individual will be key to understanding how they respond to their world.
sportsmanagement.co.uk issue 4 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
DR ALAN CURRIE Consultant psychiatrist
I
t seems to come as a surprise to some that elite sports people can suffer the same sort of mental health difficulties
as the rest of us. It seems to be a particular surprise that there are a few mental health problems, such as eating disorders, that are especially common in athletes. Once we recognise that athletes are people too and that many exist in a psychologically hostile environment, then the observations appear easier to understand. Athletes are subject to most of the same risk factors
for eating disorders as the rest of us – the same genetic vulnerability, the same personal and cultural attitudes to shape, weight and diet and so forth. There are additional risk factors in the sports environment. Examples include perfectionism and determination which is misdirected into compulsive overtraining, misunderstandings over nutrition and weight management, competing in revealing clothing and being judged on your appearance, pressure to make weight, unhelpful critical comments from coaches and specialising too early. Once we accept that there’s a problem we can start to make
appropriate treatment available by making links with the right therapists and the best clinical services. Most athletes and sports clubs understand the risk of injury. In consequence they know the most helpful professionals to consult. We can’t yet say the same about treatment for athletes with eating disorders. If the question had been ‘what can sport do to support people with sports injuries?’ the answer would be to recognise the risks and manage them and ensure that good treatment and rehabilitation is readily available. Substitute ‘mental health issues’ for ‘sports injuries’ and you have your answer.
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