One of the most idealized heroes of American society is the athlete. Fans, coaches and family members may find it impossible to think of the athlete as a normal individual with normal vulnerablities. Pressure to perform, a short window of career opportunity and relentless public scrutiny often combine to render the athlete unable to recognize or admit emotional suffering. While physical injury is pinpointed and addressed, mental disorders among athletes remain grossly unreported and untreated.
Anxiety Causes
The athlete faces ongoing stressors that may contribute to debilitating anxiety. "Sports Illustrated" points out that most athletic careers and the ability to earn a big salary are relatively short. Many athletes feel as if they are under the microscope during every performance. "Psychiatric News" reports, "The athlete is often surrounded by a support system made up of individuals with competing agendas." The pressure to succeed from coaches and family members can be paralyzing, especially if the athlete becomes a major income earner. This pressure can result in generalized worry, agitation and sleeplessness.
Depression Causes
Other than genetic predisposition, the stress of the athlete's lifestyle is one of the biggest contributors to depression. "Sports Illustrated" points out that "Athletes may be at greater risk for depression than the rest of the population due to unyielding pressures to succeed. Some athletes also have a history of traumatic childhood experiences. The sports world is filled with athletes who have risen above difficult circumstances such as poverty." The stigma of mental illness is magnified for athletes who strive to project an image of the indomitable hero. Emotional problems among athletes are seen as an indicator of weakness. An athlete may go to great lengths to mask the sadness, anhedonia and low self esteem characteristic of depression. This failure to report emotional symptoms and to obtain treatment may send some athletes into a self-destructive spiral.
Eating Disorder Causes
Athletes who compete in sports such as gymnastics, wrestling, dance, horse racing and running often feel tremendous pressure to stay extremely thin in order to compete. The pressure to keep weight low often begins when the athlete is a child and can result in a distorted body image and progression to a genuine eating disorder. ABC News notes that "Jockeys are particularly susceptible to eating disorders due to the necessity to keep their weight at about 110 pounds. Purging and starvation are commonplace for these athletes. Serious physical problems such as kidney and heart involvement are regarded as occupational hazards among jockeys."
Substance Abuse
The athlete may turn to self-medicating as a way of coping with the grueling pressure. Alcohol and recreational drug use may appeal to the untreated athlete who feels depressed or anxious. In addition, some athletes look for chemical means of boosting performance. ABC News reports that "Some athletes engage in the use of Human Growth Hormone or soda doping with baking soda as means of enhancing athletic performance."
Post Concussion Syndrome
In July 2010, the National Football league issued a new poster using very direct language to warn teams about the serious nature of concussion. The poster includes advisories about depression and emotional changes after an athlete sustains a concussion. According to Know Concussion, Post Concussion Syndrome, or PCS, can "cause problems for months or years after the head injury takes place. Psychological symptoms include depression, anxiety, anger management problems and personality changes."
