Mental Health Issues Among Elite Athletes
The Tokyo Olympic Games came to an end on Sunday, August 8th. During this long-awaited event (originally scheduled for 2020), the best-of-the-best competed in their chosen sports and thrilled us all in their quests for gold. Lucky for us, heroes were found both on and off the podiums.
In today’s post, we explore mental health issues among elite athletes, focusing on the wonderful examples recently set by two competitors, and also discuss the sports nutrition services and eating disorder treatment options available at The Kahm Clinic.
Mental Health Advocates: Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka
Beloved gymnast Simone Biles set an inspiring example when she announced her withdrawal from the team competition due to mental health issues. Her “stunning breakdown” was in part due to the pressure to be the “head star” of the USA women’s gymnastics team.“Whenever you get in a high-stress situation, you kind of freak out,” she shared at a press conference on July 27th. “I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being. We have to protect our body and our mind…It just sucks when you’re fighting with your own head.”
One day before her announcement, she touched on her struggles with a revealing Instagram caption: “I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world upon my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but sometimes it’s hard, hahaha! The Olympics is no joke.”
Earlier this year, tennis player Naomi Osaka made a similar decision, leaving early from the 2021 French Open due to mental health reasons. She revealed that she has suffered from depression and anxiety since winning the 2018 US Open.
Unfortunately, Simone and Naomi are not alone: A 2019 study found that between 5 and 35 percent of elite athletes struggle with mental health issues, with up to 25 percent of female athletes suffering from both depression and an eating disorder.
Our Work in Sports Nutrition and Eating Disorder Treatment
As evidenced by these study results, physical health issues are often tied to mental health issues. Physical injuries can cause or worsen emotional or mental distress, while side effects from medications for mental health problems can, in turn, negatively impact athletic performance. Because of this frequent overlap, The Kahm Clinic believes in a multi-disciplinary approach, combining our nutrition services with help from a physician, psychotherapist, and psychiatrist if needed.
Sports nutrition is particularly important for athletes. As you increase your training, it’s important that you adjust your nutrition too. Without proper fuel, you may encounter problems like chronic fatigue, inability to gain or build muscle, increased occurrence of injuries, increased and prolonged muscle soreness, and more. The Kahm Clinic can help to optimize your nutrition to ensure that you meet all of your training and exercise goals and ultimately perform at your best.
Additionally, athletes are at an increased risk of developing an eating disorder, particularly in sports that emphasize diet, appearance, size, and weight. If you or a loved one is suffering from anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, compulsive exercise disorder, or OSFED, The Kahm Clinic can provide you with the support and structure you need to fight back against the eating disorder and reclaim both your physical and emotional health.
To talk to a professional about mental health issues among athletes and sports nutrition, please reach out to our staff or schedule an appointment at The Kahm Clinic.