1. Mental Health and the Athlete

2. Objectives Fatigue/Staleness/Overtraining/Burnout
Psychology of Injury and Rehab
Mental Illness:
Mood Disorders
Depression
Bipolar disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Panic Attacks
Phobias
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Performance Enhancement
Imaging
Self-Talk
Relaxation
Mental Health Professionals

3. Mechanism for Fatigue/Depression
Poor performance ↓
Frustration
Increased effort
Increase fatigue
Risk Factors for Athletes:
1. Transition
2. Stresses - relation
3. Injury

4. Psychology of Injury Self-Worth/Athletic ID
How does Psychology affect athletes?
Initial Injury Assessment
Loss of self-ID
Decrease self-esteem
Isolation
Anxiety
Helplessness
TX:

5. Psychology of Rehabilitation
Secondary Gain
Malingering
Compliance

6. Psychological RED FLAG S/S
Family Hx
Change in sleep patterns
Change in cognitive status and function
Change in weight/appetite
Change in mood
Physical exams that don’t make sense

7. Mood Disorders Depression; 10-20% prevalence Definition
Causes: medical vs. other
Dx: Must have above definition plus 5 of 7 s/s
S/S: Distr. Sleep, unhappy, can’t concentrate, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, weight loss/gain, worthlessness, incr. in medical problems, sudden change in academic/athletic performance, isolation from family/friends

8. Mood Disorders Depression: cont Tx: Meds:
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCADs) or Selective
Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR)
Sertraline (Zoloft)

9. Mood Disorders
Bi-polar Disorder: Characterized by sequential periods of major depression and manic episodes that last for 1 week or require hospitalization
Associated S/S:
Tx:

10. Mood Disorders Seasonal Affective Disorder
Depression that occurs only during particular seasons and is completely resolved during other time frames
S/S:
Tx:

11. Anxiety Disorders: Excessive worry that occurs in multiple
Anxiety Disorders: Excessive worry that occurs in multiple settings creating difficulty in social functions
Panic Attacks: period of intense fear, discomfort or terror accompanied by thoughts of impending doom or loss of control
Panic Disorder: defined by recurrent episodes of unexpected panic attacks followed by worry about future attacks
S/S: ANXIETY VS. PANIC DISORDER

12. Anxiety Disorders
Phobias: Abnormal fear of a specific object or situation that does not cause anxiety in the average person
s/s:

13. Anxiety Disorders
Phobia List

14. Anxiety Disorders Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Definition: recurrent obsessions/compulsions that can be time consuming or cause significant impairment
Washing and cleaning
Counting
Checking
Demanding reassurances
Repeating actions over and over
Arranging and making items appear orderly

15. Anxiety Disorders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Reaction to exposure to life-threatening events or similar stimuli outside of normal life events

16. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD: neuro-behavior condition that impairs a persons ability to sustain attention or control activity and impulses in at least 2 settings
Types:
Tx:

17. Performance Enhancements
Imagery: Purpose is to rehearse action
Technique:
Self-talk: Athlete repeats aloud what is ideal
Relaxation: 2 Types

18. Mental Health Professions/Referral
5 Mental Health Disciplines (US gov. recognized)
Psychiatry
Psychiatric Nursing
Psychology
Marriage and Family Therapy
Social Work
Other:
Professional counselors
Clergy members

19. Role of ATC Recognize and referral (1st line of defense)
Know the professionals in your area
Can always start c primary MD

20. ATC – What can I do Athlete Approaches you: Be Approachable
Their approach indicates a need to talk
Give TOTAL attention & Listen
Ask clarifying questions only, not judgmental
Indicate you want to help
Ask if there is anything they need
Ask - “are you thinking about hurting yourself”
Ask – “do you have a plan”
Make a referral – knowing your limits