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Eating disorder treatment programs for executives

C-suite jobs are highly demanding. CEOs and other executives have a lot on their shoulders, from striving to meet their companies’ bottom lines and taking care of their employees to working on ever-tighter deadlines. Unfortunately, all that stress can take a toll on one’s mental and physical health. Eating disorders and disordered eating are not uncommon among the executive demographic.

The good news is that there are effective eating disorder treatment programs for executives who live with these stressors and demands. This article explores how eating disorders affect managers and business leaders, the signs and symptoms of eating disorders in executives, and available treatment programs.

7
 minute read
Last updated on 
September 23, 2024
September 23, 2024
Eating disorder treatment for executives
In this article

Eating disorders, stress, and the executive role

While there are numerous studies on the mental health and well-being of employees, including the prevalence of eating disorders, the research on executives is somewhat limited. This could be connected to a number of factors, including misunderstandings about the overall work conditions and access to resources available to managers and executives. 

Leadership roles indeed carry a number of benefits, but they can also be uniquely challenging. Research has found that:3,4,6,7,8

  • 51.3% of executives report high stress levels, and 64.4% say that their primary stressor is related to their work
  • Anywhere from 34.8% to 40.5% of company managers (depending on the industry) sleep six hours per night or less
  • Stressed-out CEOs age more quickly and die earlier, with industry-wide recessions decreasing their average life expectancy by 1.5 years
  • Compared to employees, managers face higher demands, experience more workplace conflicts, and receive less social support from peers
  • Women in leadership positions experience even more pressure than men. In addition to reporting subtle forms of discrimination in the workplace, women are more likely to take on more family and household responsibilities.

All told, these factors may make executives more susceptible to developing eating disorders. A growing body of research indicates a strong association between chronic stress and the onset of such conditions.9

Further, technology has blurred the lines between “end of work day” and “time off,” creating a work-life balance that can be even more challenging and hampering attempts at self-care

Self-oriented perfectionism, or holding oneself to unrealistically high expectations, is another strong risk factor for developing an eating disorder, and these traits have also been found among workplace managers.10,11

It’s also relatively common to skip lunch or snacks at work when your workload is high, but this is not healthy and can be a means of disguising restriction as a necessary behavior to get work done. It could also initially be done relatively harmlessly and progress to disordered eating or an eating disorder.

Executives with eating disorders: Signs and symptoms 

Just like anyone else who struggles with an eating disorder, executives and managers may be in denial of the problem or work to actively hide their symptoms. This can be dangerous, as it allows the issue to persist longer, potentially leading to more psychological, physiological, and emotional damage.

If you suspect you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, it’s important to seek out help as soon as possible. Early detection and intervention have led to improved prognosis and lower risk for premature death and other serious consequences of disordered eating.1

Only a medical professional can make an official eating disorder diagnosis. But if you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, it could indicate a deeper problem.2,5,12,13,15,17

Preoccupation with food
Preoccupation with one’s appearance
Behavioral changes
Mood and cognitive changes
Physical changes

Treating executives with eating disorders

Eating disorder treatment programs for executives vary depending on the condition and the patient’s needs. Possible options include:13,14

  • Nutrition education
  • Psychotherapy
  • Medications
  • Hospitalization
  • Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment
  • Residential treatment

Nutrition education

A registered dietitian can help executives with eating disorders improve their eating habits, create grocery shopping lists, prepare nutritious meals, and, most importantly, help heal the person’s relationship with food.

Psychotherapy

Many executives with eating disorders benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapies, and a wide range of therapeutic modalities that focus on body image, self-esteem, emotion regulation, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and movement groups. The many types of psychotherapy can help them understand and heal from the intrusive eating disorder thoughts, understand the origins of their thoughts and behaviors, and develop new ways of managing those thoughts and impulses. Forming connections with others can be a powerful mechanism to help create the pathway to “deliver” new messages and ways of adaptation for those who suffer from eating disorders.

Medications

While some medications, like antidepressants, cannot necessarily cure eating disorders, they may help alleviate co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, mood disturbances, and other aspects of the patient's mental health. This can be done while improving the patient’s thoughts about themselves, improving social and family connections, and how to nourish themselves more joyfully.

Hospitalization

In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary for executives with more severe physical or mental health problems.

Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient

Executives struggling with an eating disorder can benefit from the intensiveness of inpatient care without the inflexibility or rigid schedule often associated with inpatient programs. At Within Health, our virtual treatment program provides this level of care from the comfort and privacy of their home. We adjust to their busy schedules to deliver them eating disorder treatment that is individualized and tailored to meet their needs.

Residential treatment

A residential program where the patient temporarily relocates to a live-in facility may be necessary for patients who need longer-term treatment or have been treated either in an outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), or partial hospitalization program (PHP) setting without sufficient improvement or within a hospital setting and need a step down into a 24-hour care environment.

We offer IOP+ and PHP+ programs for executives.
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Executives with eating disorders: How to help

People in leadership positions may have better access to treatment than those with lower socioeconomic status. However, due to the pressure and high demand of their jobs, some executives may prioritize their work and career over their physical and mental well-being. 

Just as anyone struggling with an eating disorder, executives or managers may find it hard to admit or even acknowledge that they have a problem. But there are some ways to support these people—or anyone—who is struggling with an eating disorder.16

Lead with compassion

It is recommended that friends, family members, and coworkers looking to help someone with an eating disorder avoid stigmatizing language and show that they are coming from a place of genuine care. It is also a good idea to offer to listen, help them get in touch with a professional, or refer them to a helpline.  

Tell someone who knows them better

An executive's coworkers may notice the signs of an eating disorder but may not be comfortable broaching the subject. Employees may be worried about jeopardizing their jobs or feel it is not their place to discuss sensitive personal issues with their CEO or manager. In such cases, it may be best to approach someone who knows them better.

Be prepared for negative reactions

When challenged, some people with an eating disorder may become angry, hostile, or dismissive. While such responses are expected, such reactions can make others uncomfortable, especially if they work for that person or are lower in the organizational hierarchy.

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Kalindjian, N., Hirot, F., Stona, AC. et al. (2021). Early detection of eating disorders: a scoping review. Eating and Weight Disorders, 27, 21-68.
  2. Anorexia Nervosa. (n.d.) National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed May 2024. 
  3. Ganesh, R., Mahapatra, S., Fuehrer, D. L., Folkert, L. J., Jack, W. A., Jenkins, S. M., Bauer, B. A., Wahner-Roedler, D. L., & Sood, A. (2018). The stressed executive: sources and predictors of stress among participants in an executive health program. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 7
  4. Luckhaupt, S. E., Tak, S., Calvert, G. M. (2010). The prevalence of short sleep duration by industry and occupation in the National Health Interview Survey. Sleep, 33(2), 149–159. 
  5. Bulimia Nervosa. (n.d.) National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed May 2024. 
  6. Borgschulte, M., Guenzel, M., Liu, C., & Malmendier, U. (2021). CEO stress, aging, and death (Working Paper 28550). National Bureau of Economic Research.
  7. Skakon, J., Kristensen, T. S., Christensen, K. B., Lund, T., & Labriola, M. (2011). Do managers experience more stress than employees? Work, 38(2), 103–109.
  8. Nelson, D. L., & Burke, R. J. (2000). Women executives: health, stress, and success. The Academy of Management Executive, 14(2), 107–121. 
  9. Rojo, L., Conesa, L., Bermudez, O., & Livianos, L. (2006). Influence of stress in the onset of eating disorders: data from a two-stage epidemiologic controlled study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 68(4), 628–635.
  10. Risk factors. (2021). National Eating Disorders Association.
  11. Kaiser, R. B., LeBreton, J. M., & Hogan, J. (2013). The dark side of personality and extreme leader behavior. Applied Psychology, 64(1), 55–92.
  12. Eating disorders in the workplace. (2021). National Eating Disorders Association. 
  13. Eating disorders. (2020). Cleveland Clinic.
  14. Eating disorder treatment: Know your options. (2017, July 14). Mayo Clinic.
  15. Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED). (n.d.) National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed May 2024. 
  16. How to help a loved one. (2021). National Eating Disorders Association.
  17. Binge Eating Disorder. (n.d.) National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed May 2024.

FAQs

Are there special eating disorder treatment programs for executives?

Treatments for people with eating disorders vary based on their condition and individual needs. While some healthcare providers may offer programs geared toward specific demographics, including executives, most can seek out standard eating disorder treatment programs for their recovery.

Does having an eating disorder affect executives’ work performance?

Many people with eating disorders are highly productive and maintain a consistently good performance at work, despite a great deal of inner pain and struggle with an eating disorder. Excellent work performance is not a sign that the person is not struggling in some way with their mental health. In some cases, eating disorders can affect executives’ concentration and decision-making ability.12 Furthermore, depressive symptoms, which are a risk factor for developing an eating disorder, are associated with higher levels of abusive supervision.17

Another factor is that others may assume that an executive may have a privileged life and therefore is not subject to a mental health condition. As more and more awareness and less stigma around mental health evolves in our society, it may become more viable for an executive to be able to acknowledge their need for support, guidance, and treatment.

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Further reading

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