Mental health is a major topic to talk about. In the general population, 15-20% of people will suffer through at least one season of depression. And it is the most common mental condition that sport-psychologists treat. Many female athletes struggle with some sort of mental condition, be it disordered eating, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or the many others that plague athletes. Here I have explained some and linked sources that explain the many others. 

 

Eating disorders are classified completely as mental disorders that just manifest physically. The person struggling with an eating disorder is thinking that they need to eat a certain way to achieve a certain physical goal. The obsession with their physical goal and need to control themselves causes disordered eating. Eating disorders affect all people, athletes, non-athletes, male, female, young, and old. For more on eating disorders click here. 

 

Substance abuse is a common mental disorder among athletes. Athletes may develop substance abuse disorders from the college environment, injury, or other mood disorders. The college experience often includes alcohol and drug use. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), student-athletes report higher rates or episodic drinking than nonathletes. Substance abuse-related mental health problems peak during the traditional college years according to a Harvard study, adding to the commonality of substance abuse in student-athletes. Influences of substance abuse are social group, community, and college authority. Prevention is effective when colleges and specialists in prevention collaborate to promote prevention and mental health. By promoting the relationship between substance abuse, mental health, and academic success it will improve student perception about the importance of keeping good health to succeed. 

 

According to a study, 30% of female student-athletes show signs of depression. These high numbers of female athletes with depression are important especially to young athletes as the average age for the onset of depression is 22 years old and is decreasing. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act.” Signs of depression can be a feeling of sadness, little interest in previously enjoyed activities, increased fatigue, poor self-esteem, and even thoughts of death or suicide. To be formally diagnosed the symptoms must be prolonged past two weeks. Women are more likely to experience depression and ⅓ of women will experience a major bout of depression in their lifetime. People at a greater risk for depression may have imbalances in chemicals in the brain, genetic history, personality of low self-esteem or easily overwhelmed, and people in constant states of neglect or violence. 

 

Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health problems that student-athletes face. There are many types of anxiety disorders and athletes and non-athletes alike experience them. Anxiety tends to be caused by thoughts and emotions about the future. The root of this is typically a perceived threat or danger from the future. The danger is to safety or to the ego. Many athletes experience performance anxiety. This is about the anticipation of the performance and in that performance there becomes a certain point that is too overwhelming. Other athletes experience general anxiety, excessive worry and apprehension that is hard to control. There is also post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Athletes experience PTSD from an event they see as traumatic, this causes fear of facing circumstances related to that event. Anxiety is not uncommon, 31.9% of adolescents are said to have clinical anxiety disorders according to a 2014 article, and the NCAA shows that 85% of certified athletic trainers believe anxiety is an issue among student-athletes on their campus. Signs of anxiety disorders are apprehensiveness, powerlessness, sense of impending threat, increased heart rate, quick breathing, sweating, shaking, and fatigue. If these signs increase in frequency or severity it can negatively affect one’s ability to function well. Anxiety symptoms often are worse under stress and the life of a student-athlete is often stress-filled, making student-athletes more at risk for developing anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are important to treat to improve one’s ability to function and long term health. Treatment involves developing and adapting coping mechanisms. 

 

Injuries are scary to athletes because they disrupt participation, routines, and the future. They also interrupt social interaction and emotional wellness. Athletes are used to certain levels of activity and many identify highly in their athletics. Because of this many struggles emotionally, withdrawing from people, falling into depression, and in extreme cases contemplating suicide. The emotional reactions to athletic injury are sadness, isolation, irritation/anger/frustrations, lack of motivations or engagement, and sleep disturbance. It is normal to have any of these emotional reactions but should these reactions linger and worsen excessively it could lead to major mental struggles such as eating disorders, depression, and suicide. One of the most challenging injuries to handle emotionally for athletes appears to be a concussion because of their unpredictable nature. Athletes often struggle to seek treatment for the mental struggles that they face alongside their injury. This can be because of the feeling of loss of athletic identity an injury creates or fear of showing weakness. Ways to support injured athletes are continued inclusion in the team, “permitting” or encouraging treatment, and understanding the recovery process. 

 

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States. The NCAA reports suicide as the second leading cause of death among NCAA student-athletes. However, the 7.5/100,000 students died of suicide but only 0.93/100,000 student-athletes died of suicide. And only 0.37/100,000 female student-athletes on average die of suicide. The gap between normal adolescents and student-athlete adolescents could be due to higher self-esteem and social connections. Adolescent females in athletics have such a low percentage of death from suicide because fewer contemplate suicide. Athletic participation forces relationships, group bonding, and according to four scientific theories on relationships this lowers the number of female student-athletes who will even contemplate suicide. However, the pressures of athletics, injury, fear, or failure can also be risk factors for depression and suicidal behavior. The number of suicide attempts between non-athlete and athlete adolescents though is the same. 

 

Athletes at a higher risk of suicide are ones who have previous anabolic-androgenic steroid use, multiple concussions, substance abuse, psychiatric problems, previous bullying and sexual abuse, and those facing retirement. Steroid use is a risk factor because it can cause an increase in aggressive behavior and suicidal tendencies. Athletes who have experienced multiple concussions often develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that can cause mood, behavior, and thinking problems. Though there is nor reason for the relationship between suicide and athletes with CTE the risk is higher. Athletes with a history of drug or alcohol abuse are at risk of suicide because many substance abuse problems directly correlate with poor mental health. Athletes with previous mental health issues can be affected as the athletic environment exacerbates their condition. Previous bullying and sexual abuse in the athletic environment as an adolescent are important risk factors. Retirement is the most important risk factor because many athletes place their whole purpose and identity in athletics. When they are done they do not know their purpose and may struggle mentally with it. Other reasons may be poor financial states or physical impairment lingering from their career. 

 

Many athletes might not have a clinical mental disorder but they still struggle with the effects of criticism, negativity, and the pressure to perform. Females are prone to take a general critical statement said to a group as personally targeted at them. Criticism can be a real drain on your energy especially if you take it all to heart. To focus on your performance rather than on the criticism you can try to lower anxiety levels. Experts say that meditation and relaxation training can help an athlete block their troubles off of the field to improve their performance on the field. To deal with criticism you should try to not be defensive, breathe to calm your defensive instinct. Then you should listen fully to try and understand their criticism if you are not at a point to stop and listen then don’t try to take it. Then you should explain where you are coming from to hopefully realize mistakes, or come to a middle ground. Negative teammates can often bring down an athlete’s focus and performance. To limit the effects of negative teammates you should not engage in return to that negativity. Often you can grow in this type of environment if you look at how you can help solve the problem or lead others in a positive way. Sports psychologists are also useful when an athlete is dealing with criticism or negativity. They can help teach an athlete ways to focus on their performance. In talking to one he said that there are four main tools to improve mental toughness and focus. 

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