Depression & Athletic Injuries

Unfortunately, depression among athletes goes underreported due to the fear of being perceived as “weak”. Athletes are taught to be tough and strong, therefore depression is not something that many want to face.


Since research has indicated that there is a strong correlation between injury and mental illnesses such as depression, it is imperative that athletes seek therapuetic interventions to assist them with their recovery.


“A 2001 study … found that 96 percent of coaches and 97
percent of athletes said mental health is extremely important
to overall performance. That’s good news. However, 85 percent
of coaches said their athletes come to talk to them about mental
health, though only 68 percent of the athletes said they could
go to their coach about such issues”
(http://www.psychologyofsports.com).


Unfortunately, athletes who experience symptoms of depression are reluctant to seek help, due to the perception that depression carries a cloak of shame. Athletes are taught to be tough and by admitting to a psychological or emotional problem, an individual’s confidence is threatened. Athletes are trained by their coaches to ‘play through the pain and struggle through adverse problems on their own without letting anyone see them cry.


So where am I going with all this? What’s my point, you might be asking? I went through my own very challenging version of athletic depression, and, found some amazing tools and techniques to help myself and others. Help get us out of the depression that can come from a total life change due to an injury. Out of my injury and recovery, “Performance & Body Optimization” was born.