Athletes may have an increased risk of developing mental health conditions

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Athletes are often admired for their physical prowess, and abilities. We all have our sporting heroes/heroines who we celebrate because they are so good at what they do, and we enjoy cheering them on. However, despite their exceptional talents, the demands of performance can take a drastic toll on their mental health.

In recent years, the: medical field, sports organizations, and popular culture have given more recognition to the importance of mental health in athletes. Factors including personality, intense training, and the nature of competition can provoke psychological issues in this population. In fact, athletes may have an increased risk of developing mental health conditions due to the fact that they often face unique stressors, which can leave them vulnerable to mental health conditions.

A 2019 study found that about 35% of elite athletes have mental health concerns, and an NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being study released in 2022 found that female athletes experienced more incidences of: mental exhaustion, sadness, and anxiety than their male counterparts. An unfortunate report also found that suicide rates among female athletes have increased in recent years. For example, in 2022, five female athletes in the NCAA took their own lives. In many of the cases where female athletes died by suicide, injuries, and mounting pressures have been contributing factors.

Common mental health concerns for athletes include the following.

·      Depression
·      Anxiety
·      Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
·      Eating Disorders
·      Substance Misuse
·      Sleep Issues

Studies have also found that sexual misconduct and harassment have also factored into the mental health spectrum in athletics. All genders face a risk of harassment from coaches and teammates. Studies show that peers on sports teams are more likely to commit acts of sexual misconduct than coaches. Abuse can range in severity, but higher levels of competition have been linked to an increased likelihood of sexual misconduct.

We all know the disappointment that we feel when we see our favourite athletes injured; sustaining an injury, or falling ill can prove stressful for anyone. However, injured athletes often feel intense pressure to rehabilitate quickly and return to the field. If an injury is severe and an athlete can’t return to their sport, some experience a loss of identity. An injury has the tendency to sometimes unmask mental health issues such as: anxiety, addiction (pills, cocaine, steroids) and depression. Injuries at times can increase the risk of substance misuse as players attempt to self-medicate to recover quickly.

Concussions pose a serious risk to athletes, especially those who play hig-risk sports. According to a 2014 study, an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur annually in the U.S. High-risk sports for males include: American football, rugby, wrestling, and ice hockey. For women, basketball and soccer pose a higher concussion risk.

Common symptoms of a concussion include: dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, memory impairment, balance issues, and cognitive impairment. Enough studies have been conducted that prove concussions have been linked to mental health issues including: anxiety, depression, and sleeping difficulties. Most people recover from a concussion over time. However, repeated concussions can lead to chronic post-concussion syndrome and chronic neurodegeneration. In recent years, more attention has been given to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease found in people who have sustained repeated impacts to the head. Contact sports like American football are a primary cause of CTE.

With the intense competition of sports, athletes may think that more training is better. However, even strong, athletic bodies can only endure a certain amount of stress. Overtraining syndrome (OTS) occurs when athletes (weight lifters, wrestlers, boxers, body builders) train beyond their bodies’ ability to recover and do not allow adequate rest. The exact process of OTS is still unknown, but it is believed a lack of rest and repair places the body into survival mode. When this happens, multiple systems within the body adapt to the inhospitable environment created by stress and insufficient rest. These adaptations, which are designed to keep the body alive at a basic level, lead to immunological (immune system), neurological (neurons running in throughout your brain and body), muscular, metabolic, and psychological changes.

In overtraining syndrome, athletes reach a plateau followed by a decline in performance. Symptoms of overtraining syndrome include fatigue, changes in appetite, muscle soreness, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Treatment plans for athletes with OTS are unique to the individual but often include rest as well as psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.

As parents who have young athletes, it is important to be mindful of the pressure your young superstar is putting on themselves. Take the time to check in, even when the athletes are adults, because they may not know what they are feeling, and if left unchecked, could lead to disasterous complications.