“After every Olympics I think I fell into a major state of depression. I would say ‘04 was probably the first depression spell I went through. I didn’t want to be in sports anymore……I didn’t want to be alive anymore. I am thankful that I did not take my life”
- Michael Phelps in 2018.
Depression is an affective mental illness affecting almost 6.7% of today's adult population especially the age group of 13-25 years, in 12-month period. There are more than 400,000 National Collegiate Athletic association students competing each year. Almost 5-7 million high school athletes involved in competitive interscholastic sports. The past studies suggesting that athletes are immune to depression and other mental disorder have come under scrutiny by sports medicine providers. Due to the high prevalence rate in certain age groups and a large denominator pool of athletes, it is seen that the athletes are more vulnerable to stress depression, social anxiety and alcohol use than non-athletes.
The mental health of athletes was understudied but recent number of suicidal cases among former or current athletes have heightened focused discussion and media attention. It is seen that the major cause of athletic depression is due to sports injury, or concussions, Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, over-training syndrome, career termination and declination in performance. It is also seen female athletes face more depression due to lack of social support than male athletes.
Higher level of depression is noticed in players with sports concussions and Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. It was noticed that the depression diagnosis increases with increase in number of concussions. Indeed, athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury suffers greater depression vulnerability and for longer period. Researchers stated that screening and intervention should be more focused on athletes with ACL injuries and concussions.
Career termination marks a significant transition between interpersonal relationships, and daily life in athletes. Though for some individuals, this transition occurs with ease while finding new career opportunities or hobbies, some athletes face depression during this transition especially if it's an involuntary termination due to injury or getting cut from the team. During this period, some athletes face depression during this transition especially if it's an involuntary termination due to injury or getting cut from the team. During this period, some athletes are associated with maladaptive coping strategies, depression, anxiety, increased hospitality, anger, and substance abuse. Research also highlights that athletes with higher athletic identity face more emotional and social adjustment after retirement. Athletic identity is defined as the degree to which an athlete defines himself or herself in terms of athletic role. Athletes with higher identity face faces higher social criticisms during their career termination.
Elite athletes often face major depression when they experience a decline in their athletic performance that is not up to their expectations. This leads to negative self-evaluation and perception, behavioural deactivation, feeling of helplessness or hopelessness along with depression symptoms. The overtraining syndrome also causes psychological and physiological disturbances, along with a decrease in athletic performance. Constant pressure from competitive activities as well as the expectation from coaches, teammates, society, and families leads to depression symptoms in athletes throughout their careers.
Often the athletes are afraid to talk about their depression as they are concerned that their coach might see their scores or imagined reactions to admitting being depressed. Hence, they portray themselves as someone who is psychologically strong and ready for the next competition. Sports medicine, athlete care networks, and professional coaches need to be aware of the mental health of the athletes. It is of utter importance to ensure athletes that even for them
“It’s Ok to Not Be Ok”.
Knowing Brain would like to salute all the athletes who brought the courage to define their mental health and bring awareness throughout the world to help others bring forward their mental health concerns.
“To show weakness, we’re told, in so many words, is to deserve shame. But I am here to show weakness. And I am not ashamed.”
- Mardy Fish