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Athlete Mental Wellness

Athlete Mental Wellness

Common Mental Struggles for Athletes

Performance Anxiety and Stress:

  • Fear of failure
  • Pressure to perform at a high level
  • Self-doubt
  • Worrying about making mistakes
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea

Burnout:

  • Emotional and physical exhaustion
  • Reduced sense of accomplishment
  • Detachment from the sport
  • Loss of motivation
  • Decreased performance
  • Cynicism or negative attitude

Identity Crisis:

  • Feeling lost or confused when athletic career ends or faces setbacks
  • Struggling to define oneself outside of sports
  • Loss of purpose and self-worth

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Emotional distress
  • Avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event

Other Mental Health Challenges:

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Substance abuse

Depression and Anxiety:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
  • Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
  • Changes in appetite
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Excessive worry or fear
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Panic attacks

Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge eating disorder
  • Distorted body image
  • Obsessive thoughts about food and weight
  • Excessive exercise

Social Isolation:

  • Difficulty maintaining relationships outside of sports
  • Feeling disconnected from friends and family
  • Loneliness

Sleep Disturbances:

  • Insomnia
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Daytime fatigue

Sport-Specific Mental Challenges:

  • “The Yips” – sudden loss of fine motor skills
  • “Choking” – performance decline under pressure
  • Fear of re-injury
  • Dealing with setbacks and losses
  • Transitioning out of sports

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please seek professional help.

Therapists With This Specialty:

Laura Morris

Melissa Lambson

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