Elite Athletes and Healing from Orthorexia 

Empowering Athletes

The goal of therapy with Elite Athletes is focused on interrupting the eating disorder and empowering athletes to return to their sport or performance stronger, both mentally and physically. Complex issues in a sport can contribute to the manifestation of eating disorders in athletes and performers. With the support of wellness coaching and therapy, there is room for growth and gains in the amount of insight the athlete has into the eating disorder. As providers, it’s our goal to empower any individual to explore new ways of freeing themselves from disordered eating and body image concerns.

Signs to Look for

  • Decrease in physical and/or psychological performance

  • Change in weight or body shape/size

  • Changes or isolation around meal time

  • Shifts in mood or irritability

  • Conflict with teammates and coaches

  • Change in behavior around teammates and coaches

  • Inability to concentrate during training or performance

  • Peer reports of concern to coach

  • Amenorrhoea (loss of menstruation) 

  • Chronic or overuse injuries

  • Obsession, rituals, or rigidity around food or exercise

  • Training beyond prescribed routine

  • Training when injured or tired

  • Obsessing about training details or feeling distressed when training routine is interrupted

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Orthorexia Nervosa

Orthorexia Nervosa is when an individual has an “unhealthy obsession” with otherwise healthy eating. “Orthorexia Nervosa,” is a term that means “fixation on righteous eating.” Orthorexia starts out as an innocent attempt to eat more healthfully, but individuals become fixated on food quality and purity.  Every day is a chance to eat well, be “good,” rise above others in dietary prowess, and self-punish if temptation wins (usually through stricter eating, fasts, and exercise). Food has a moral value attached to it that allows the individual to determine whether they are "good” or “bad.” Self-esteem becomes wrapped up in the purity of the diet and they sometimes feel superior to others, especially in regard to food intake.

Eventually, food choices become so restrictive, in both variety and calories, that health suffers – an ironic twist for a person dedicated to healthy eating.  Eventually, the obsession with healthy eating can crowd out other activities and interests, impair relationships, and become physically dangerous.

Want more information about this topic? Head over to the blog and search keywords such as “orthorexia” or “eating disorders.”