-stigma against seeking mental health services

-used to working through pain

-may not have learned healthy coping skills

Ithaca College

Athletic injuries can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues in student athletes, including depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, disordered eating, and substance abuse. While initial emotional reactions to injury are normal, they can escalate into problematic psychological responses.

Psychological Responses to Injury in Student Athletes

Putukian M. (2015). The psychological response to injury in student athletes: a narrative review with a focus on mental health. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2016;50:145-148. 

The Psychological Response To Injury In Student Athletes: A Narrative Review With a Focus On Mental Health

Obstacles to Getting Help for Athletes

-many athletes have created their whole self-image around their sport and so feel significant loss from not being able to perform or that role is threatened by injury/illness; this is especially true with injuries with long recovery times such as ACL tears

-injuries can impact daily quality of life as well as performance in sports

-exercise is an escape or coping mechanism for many athletes, so being unable to exercise and access their usual coping mechanism due to injury can worsen the emotional impact of the injury

Why Could Injuries Elicit Such Strong Emotions Reactions in Athletes?

Study reported that athletes that self-reported pain were significantly more likely to self-report depressive symptoms. A similar study reported that from a sample of D1 football players, 33% of injured players reported high levels of depressive symptoms. This emotion reaction could be related to performance failure in some athletes.

Association Between Injury and Depression in Student Athletes

-alterations in appetite

-sleep disturbances

-irritability

-alterations of appetite leading to disordered eating

-sadness leading to depression

-lack of motivation leading to apathy

-disengagment leading to alienation 

-pain behaviors

-excessive anger/rage

-frequent crying or emotional outbursts

-substance abuse

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