Understanding executives with eating disorders
While there are numerous studies on the mental health and wellbeing of employees, including the prevalence of eating disorders, the research on executives is somewhat limited. (1) This could be due to several reasons, including a perception that leaders and managers enjoy better work conditions, job control, and access to organizational and social resources. (2)
However, the research that does exist paints a different picture.
Stats & trends in executives with eating disorders
Leadership positions can be uniquely challenging. The numbers speak for themselves:
- 51.3% of executives report high stress levels, and 64.4% say that their main stressor is related to their work. (3)
- 40.5% of company managers – more than any other worker category – only sleep six hours per night or less. (4)
- People in managerial positions are more likely to drink during business hours and work with a hangover or under the influence of alcohol. (5)
- Stressed-out CEOs age more quickly and die earlier, with industry-wide recessions decreasing their average life expectancy by 1.5 years. (6)
- Compared to employees, managers face higher demands, experience more workplace conflicts, and receive less social support from peers. (7)
- 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. (8)
- With the use of technology, the “end of work day” is blurry, and creating work-life balance can be even more challenging. Self-care of any sort can be severely hampered.
All these factors can 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)
Self-oriented perfectionism, or putting unrealistically high expectations for yourself, is another strong risk factor for developing an eating disorder, (10) and some managers show strong perfectionistic tendencies. (11)
Executives with eating disorders: signs & symptoms
It can be difficult to know if you have an eating disorder, though there are many signs and symptoms that may indicate you are struggling with one and could benefit from receiving a professional assessment through your medical provider or a mental health professional. Only a medical professional can diagnose an eating disorder; however, it can be helpful to know some key eating disorder symptoms and signs, such as: (12)
Preoccupation with food
- Cutting food into small pieces or other behaviors with food that avoid the intake of calories or subtypes of food
- Excessive interest in “healthy” eating to the detriment of being able to enjoy meal experiences without extensive involvement in food selection
- Refusal to eat certain food types like fats or carbs
- Restrictive eating patterns or only eating in tiny portions
- Conversations revolving around food, dieting, or counting calories
- Spending an excessive amount of time on lunchtime meals
- Avoiding meal times and other work events where food may be present
- Fertility issues
- Preoccupation with exercise
Preoccupation with one’s appearance
- Excessive interest in dieting, weight loss, and exercise
- Preoccupation with exercise under the guise of “health”, but to the detriment of physical health and/or social connections
Behavioral changes
- Eating alone or avoidance of social engagement while eating
- Patterns of behavior that result in not eating
- Excessive caffeine consumption in lieu of nutrition
- Skipping meals or having a chaotic eating schedule
- Abnormal decrease or increase in productivity levels
- Scheduling meetings or work events around workout sessions
Mood and cognitive changes
- Difficulties concentrating
- Poorer decision-making ability
- Uncharacteristic irritability
- Withdrawal from coworkers, social events, and usual activities
- Other signs of struggling, including missing appointments and/or missing work
Physical changes
- Bloating
- Frequently feeling cold
- Frequent weight fluctuations
- Excessive or sudden weight loss or gain (note, this does not imply you must be underweight)
- Dry or thinning hair or hair loss
- Constipation or stomach pain
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: A registered dietitian can help executives with eating disorders improve their eating habits, and grocery shopping lists, and 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 those that focus on body image, self-esteem, emotion regulations, mindfulness, 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 form the pathway to “deliver” the new messages and ways of adaptation for those who suffer with 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, improved social and family connections, and how to more joyfully nourish themselves
- 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 care program provides this level of care from the comfort and privacy of their own 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, IOP or PHP setting without sufficient improvement, or within a hospital setting and need of a step down into a 24-hour care environment.
How executives cope with eating disorders
People in leadership positions may have better access to treatment than those with lower socioeconomic status.
However, due to their jobs’ high demands some executives may have learned that they must prioritize work and career success over their physical and mental wellbeing. Executives may also find it hard to admit that they have a problem or ask for help. (15)
How to help someone with an eating disorder
Here are some ways to support an executive 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
The coworkers of an executive 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 that 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 normal, reactions like these can make others uncomfortable, especially if they work for that person or are lower in the organizational hierarchy.
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