The XXXII Olympic Games recently came to a close. For those of us who watched, it was truly spectacular to see these elite athletes — the best-of-the-best in each sport — give the performances of their lives and make their dreams come true. Unfortunately, we also saw the darker side of this world, with gymnast Simone Biles withdrawing from the team competition due to mental health struggles.
The topic of mental health among athletes has become more prominent and less stigmatized in recent years. In fact, Simone shared that her courage was inspired by tennis player Naomi Osaka, who left early from the 2021 French Open because of her depression and anxiety.
The Impact of Mental Health Issues and Eating Disorders
A recent study revealed that between 5 and 35 percent of top athletes struggled with mental health issues over the course of a year. Additionally, it is well-known that disordered eating behaviors are common among competitors. The risks of developing an eating disorder increase when the pressures of athletic performance are combined with an emphasis on thinness, as is the case in sports like gymnastics, figure skating, and horse racing. Specifically, up to 25 percent of top-tier female athletes struggle with both depression and an eating disorder.
Of course, non-athletes struggling with their mental health too — especially after the ups-and-downs of the past year! Tens of millions of Americans are impacted by mental health issues with only half of them receiving treatment. Furthermore, eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose. They affect 9 percent of the population, or 28.8 million Americans.
Communication Tips for Caregivers
One of the most important factors of treatment for all mental health conditions, including eating disorders, is communication. Typically, a treatment team, which often includes a physician, psychotherapist, nutritionist if needed, and psychiatrist if needed, first meets us at our breaking point: overly-reactive, anxious, controlling, and not very functional. As challenging as it is to approach your loved one’s care with compassion and confidence, it’s imperative to their recovery that you become a calm and educated caregiver.
Here are three communication tips to follow as you care for a loved one seeking treatment for a mental health disorder:
Practice new communication skills: It’s important that you communicate in a way that your loved one understands. For instance, when responding to their distress, validate their feelings by saying, “That must be hard.” Also, use “I” statements to ensure that they understand how you feel.
Create agreements to follow: Whether it’s a written contract or a verbal understanding, you need to set boundaries to ensure that everyone involved feels safe and secure.
Listen to your own needs: Your mental health is important too. In fact, research shows that people with anxiety recover much quicker when their caregivers are less anxious and have support. You must take care of yourself to best take care of your loved one.
If you need help as you navigate caring for a loved one with an eating disorder, the Recovery Roadmap Series can serve as your guidebook! Reach out with any questions.
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