Depression in professional athletes

• April 23, 2024

Depression does not respect social level, nationality or profession. Anyone can be exposed to this condition. One in five people suffer depression at some time in their lives and athletes are no exception. In recent years we have seen different cases in the various high performance sports in the world; the most recent is that of the British cricket player, Michael Yardy captain of Sussex County Cricket Club, who retired from the world of the specialty arguing to be very depressed.

Various reasons can influence this suffering be present in the lives of athletes ; For example: athletes, especially professionals and high performers are subject to high levels of stress, because the expectations that they have sometimes exceed their psychological abilities . They themselves set goals that, if they comply with them, make them fall into a state of depression that they rarely express and therefore can get complicated until they reach fatal consequences .

Another reason may be the loneliness . Due to sports commitments, athletes, especially football players, rugby players, cricket players, basketball players, etc., make long tours that keep them away from their families for considerable periods of time. This same loneliness can result in a professional performance below what was expected, which in the long run results in depression.

The Jamaicón Villegas Syndrome

A curious example This affliction is remembered by Mexican fans, when at the end of the 50s and the beginning of the 60s, what emerged since then is known as the Villegas Jamaicón Syndrome; thanks to José Villegas Tavares , player of the Mexican National Soccer Team is that era. In this respect there are two versions:

1. Preparing for the World Cup of Chile 1962 it was said that if the Jamaicón had won again and again Garrincha with the Chivas There was enough defense for the Mexican team. The Federation arranged a tour of Europe and with Ignacio Trelles commanded they traveled to London where playing blanks matches, Trelles decided to line up substitute goalkeeper Antonio "Piolín" Mota. When communicating the alignment, Mota worried a lot but Trelles told him to be calm because the Jamaicón I would be to support him. That match was a defeat for eight goals before the English team, that day Villegas he could not contain the English attacker. When the Jamaicón was interviewed by a journalist, he said: "that he missed his mom, who had not taken a birria for days and that life was not life if he was not in his land"
2. According to the journalist Carlos Calderón the scene is located in Lisbon prior to World Cup Sweden 1958 where a dinner was offered to the Mexican team. Villegas He left dinner and when he did not appear Trelles he went looking for him and found him wandering melancholic in the hotel gardens and where the following dialogue takes place: "José, have dinner, what are you doing out here?" The Jamaicón He replied: "How can I have dinner if they have a broken dinner ready? What I want are my chalupas, good sopes and not those crap that neither of Mexico are ".

These, which seem like simple anecdotes, really reflect the depressive reality of what many athletes live, but who rarely extern to seek professional help.

Therapy as treatment

Carry one therapy It is the first and most important step. Help recover the trust in oneself and gives the athlete the opportunity to talk to someone about how they feel. However, experts make it clear that there is no simple rules and fast on how to treat an athlete suffering from depression.

In the opinion of the clinical psychologist specialized in sports, Victor Thompson , the therapist must judge with great caution how to win the trust of the patient before offering him his help . "Working with a depressed athlete is like working with someone who has lost hopes and see everything in a way negative . You have to be careful "says Thompson in an interview to BBC World .

On the other hand, what works with one athlete may not work with another. Each depression is different . In cases where the depressed athlete decides to cancel a tour and return home, the reaction of family and friends is vital to begin the process of Recovery .

Video Medicine: Michigan Gymnast Encourages Fellow Athletes to Seek Help for Athletes Connected (April 2024).