Katrina Gorry discusses journey with eating disorder

Katrina Gorry discusses journey with eating disorder

This article looks at Katrina Gorry's journey with an eating disorder as well as the links between injury and mental health struggles.

Recently Katrina Gorry opened up about struggling with an eating disorder which left her in a really dark place. 

Katrina Gorry struggled with an eating disorder over the space of four years after having some personal struggles off the pitch, this then led her to feeling like the only control she had was control over her food intake as well as her weight.

During this period in her life, she needed someone to sit down with her and listen, but she found that people were hesitant to discuss body image and eating disorders, which she believed came down to a fear of not knowing how to respond.

Gorry soon found that opening up about her personal experience has helped her to break down some of these barriers with not only her family and friends but also with other athletes as well.

"I'm grateful for what I went through because I can share my experience with young players and people around me to make sure they don't go through something like that."-Katrina Gorry 

Whilst being interviewed, the Matildas midfielder also shared how motherhood completely shifted her perspective on her own body as it was in August 2021 Gorry gave birth to her daughter, Harper, via IVF. Not only did becoming a mum shift her perspective about her body but it also allowed Gorry to rediscover her love for football.

"Kids make you become present. They make you appreciate the time you get not only on the field but chatting in the locker room and the relationships you make off the field. That really helped me on the field, off the field, and made me a different person."

It was a couple months after giving birth, Katrina Gorry went on to play for her home team, shortly before returning to European football which then led her to sign for West Ham where she became captain for the club.

"It's definitely something I've learned over the last couple of years. I never really looked at myself as a captain but now I feel it almost comes naturally."

In July last year, a study led by players' union Fifpro showed that one in five professional female footballers experienced disordered eating over a 12-month period. This study researched the predominance of mental health symptoms in female footballers and looked into multiple categories including body image.

This study not only proved that 15-20% of female footballers struggled with disordered eating over a 12-month period, but it also showed the links between severe injuries, major surgery and mental health symptoms. It found that female footballers were up to twice as likely to suffer with sport related mental health struggles following major surgery. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with the topics discussed in this article, listed below are some helplines:

Beat: England- 0808 801 0677, Wales- 0808 801 0433, Scotland- 0808 801 0432, Northern Ireland- 0808 801 0434 -3pm to 8pm

Shout: Text 85258 from anywhere in the UK.

Mind: 0300 102 1234- 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday