Athletics
Sports Medicine
Mental Health Considerations
Mental Health is an important issue that needs to be addressed on a regular basis. It is normal for an athlete to have their mental health affected. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health diagnosis. Athletics can both increase and decrease unique stressors. Eating disorders are also a common health issue in sports. An athlete should seek self-help by speaking to their parents, an Athletic Trainer, or school counselor. It is important that Coaches ask athletes how they are doing, talk about mental health issues and normalizing them, provide education materials, and share resources.
Please visit SWELL in person or online for any concerns, questions, or support.
One helpful tool that can be used to keep track of an athletes mood is by creating a mood chart. This will not only bring awareness to daily mental health, but it will allow an athlete to focus on their mental health on a daily basis. Below lists symptoms of these specific mood disorders. Keep in mind that an athlete does not have to show all symptoms to have a mood disorder.
At times, an athlete will partake in a sport that emphasizes a certain weight and size. For example, football values weight as it shows strength and wrestling uses weight classifications to divide competitors. These values can alter an athletes mind and encourage unhealthy behaviors. Revealing uniforms can increase consciousness and body dissatisfaction as well as the focus on lowering body fat for better performance negatively changes the athletes perception of themselves. Weight loss, excessive dieting, and excessive training play a part in eating disorders. Below shows the difference between healthy eating and disordered eating.
Healthy Eating:
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Please visit SWELL in person or online for any concerns, questions, or support.
One helpful tool that can be used to keep track of an athletes mood is by creating a mood chart. This will not only bring awareness to daily mental health, but it will allow an athlete to focus on their mental health on a daily basis. Below lists symptoms of these specific mood disorders. Keep in mind that an athlete does not have to show all symptoms to have a mood disorder.
Depression symptoms:
- Decreased interest or pleasure
- Decreased motivation
- Feeling heavy or down
- Fatigue
- Lack of concentration
- Decreased sleep
- Decreased appetite
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Lack of concentration
- Agitation
- Irritable
- Physical distress
- Decreased sleep
- Decreased appetite
- Panic attacks
- Increased fear
- Constant worry
At times, an athlete will partake in a sport that emphasizes a certain weight and size. For example, football values weight as it shows strength and wrestling uses weight classifications to divide competitors. These values can alter an athletes mind and encourage unhealthy behaviors. Revealing uniforms can increase consciousness and body dissatisfaction as well as the focus on lowering body fat for better performance negatively changes the athletes perception of themselves. Weight loss, excessive dieting, and excessive training play a part in eating disorders. Below shows the difference between healthy eating and disordered eating.
Healthy Eating:
- Healthy eating habits
- Appropriate food amount
- Body acceptance
- Eating is pleasurable
- Eats intently
- Positive body image
- Does not feel guilt after eating
- Does not regulate emotions through food
- Weight and shape dissatisfaction
- Excessive exercising
- Striving for perfection
- Compulsive overeating or undereating
- Eats to regulate emotions
- Restricting
- Fasting
- Steroid or laxative use
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