While studying amenorrheic runners, the authors became aware of
psychiatric differences between them. Psychiatric interviews of 13
amenorrheic and 19 regularly menstruating runners revealed that of the
amenorrheic runners, 11 reported major affective disorders in themselves or
in first- and second-degree relatives and eight reported eating disorders
in themselves. Among the regularly menstruating runners, however, there
were no eating disorders or major affective disorders, and only one had
first-degree relatives with major affective disorders. These data suggest a
link between athletic amenorrhea in runners, major affective disorders, and
eating disorders.Abstract Teaser