Freja Jernstig made an elite bet on sprint and competed in the Swedish Championships and European Championships.

Meanwhile, her body hurt in various ways.

She was quickly helped by the physiotherapists and doctors with the physical problems - but the eating disorder was invisible.

Mental illness can look different and be difficult to notice.

- Even though I had behaviors and thoughts that were not so good for me, it was not visible on the outside, says Freja Jernstig to SVT Sport.

- It can be about kneading what you have eaten or planning in your head what you should or should not eat.

"Got to teach me acceptance"

Freja Jernstig eventually took help for the eating disorder and sought care in psychiatry where she was given various tools to deal with the problem.

- I learned to have acceptance around my body just as it was and to deal with the feeling of being measured.

And then I had to practice different behaviors, to break certain patterns.

Soon she will start her new role as a licensed psychologist at the reception elite sports and health in Stockholm.

There she will help other elite athletes with similar problems.

"More sustainable careers"

What do you hope to make a difference?

- I hope to be able to make more athletes have more sustainable careers, if you are to put it broadly.

For someone, it may be about learning how to deal with anxiety in the evenings before big competitions.

Do you think that you would have gone further in your elite investment in athletics if you had not suffered from an eating disorder?

- It might have been a longer and more sustainable career for me with more joy.

SEE THE REPORT: Freja Jernstig had an eating disorder during the elite effort - now she helps others

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Freja Jernstig had an eating disorder during the elite effort - now she helps others