Does social media contribute to feelings of depression?
Athletes, Injury, and Mental Health
Sports and athleticism hold a unique space in our society. Whether professional, amateur, or recreational, those who dedicate themselves to a sport or active lifestyle are often perceived to be "stronger" and "tougher" than others. Devotion to a sport conveys a certain resilience and ability to persevere through adversity. This may be true when things are going as planned, but when athletes face injury, performance setbacks, or end of career transitions, the proverbial rug is swiftly pulled and athletes may find themselves with feelings of sadness, shame, anxiety, and fear. Because of the unique relationship many have with their pursuit of sport and fitness, it is important to consider specific factors which may add insight into these mental challenges.
Self-Worth and Performance: Another Relationship to Consider
I view the relationship an individual has with their sport or activity, whether it be professional football or amateur bike racing, to be no different than relationships with other people. The pursuit of this "relationship" through continued goal setting, improvement, and reward through achievement sets athletes up for possible dependence on sport for ultimate internal validation and identity. Ideally, there is complete differentiation between an individual and their sport just as in our relationships it is ideal if we are not co-dependent on others for emotional validation. Of course, this differentiation is always difficult, but because of the emotional investment and inherent behavioral rewards in sports and athleticism (confounded by superficial societal value on sports and the athletic physique), relationships individuals have with their activity quickly becomes a snare of sometimes debilitating proportions.
In order to address this, I believe it is important to employ an approach which takes into account the need for establishment of core identity outside the athletic pursuit. This may mean working with individuals to challenge core negative self-beliefs and issues of inherent self-worth. Individuals must believe they are worthy intrinsically, in order to begin establishing a healthy approach to recovery and re-engagement with their athletic activity.
Focusing On Mental Health = Weakness
Athleticism on any level is founded on the idea that one must "persevere" through pain and discomfort and mental health "issues" carry a debilitating stigma. While this may be true in the purely physical context, mental health concerns are not so easily addressed with brute force. By nature, addressing mental health concerns involves a level of disclosure and immediacy with another person which in itself is intimidating, and in near complete opposition to the aggressive attitude necessary for individuals to succeed in competition. To combat this, it is important that friends, loved ones, and counselors understand the pressure and necessary coping mechanisms when talking with someone who has invested themselves in athletics. When athletes learn to balance these two mindsets, there can be a return of confidence and focus in competition along with a core acceptance of self and relief from depressive and anxious thoughts.
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Need for Medical Assessment
While the connection between brain injury and mental and emotional disorders is not new, it is now at the forefront of the discussion in the United States when considering these difficulties in athletes. Struggles with mental health are prevalent among professional and amateur athletes, particularly among boxers, football, and hockey players who suffer from CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). This connection is well documented and represents the need for attention from doctors, psychiatrists, and mental health providers to team up in identifying early signs of distress and engage in a robust plan for treatment.
What It All Means
It is important for athletes and their coaches, family, and friends to develop an awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues. Further, it is important for all individuals involved in the treatment of athletes, amateurs, and recreational enthusiasts to recognize the unique implications and presentation of mental health concerns in these individuals. Removing the stigma is only the first step towards a comprehensive approach to wellness.
Further Reading:
Dr. Alan Goldberg Sports Performance Consultant
Depression and Men: Unique Considerations
The field of mental health is constantly changing, and is often mired in debates over diagnosis, symptomatology, and ethics. Despite the seeming lack of clarity, the pace of research and experience chugs onward giving clinicians and individuals new insights and considerations. With this in mind, the difference in expression of mental and emotional struggles between men and women should be seen as an important consideration for counselors.
Defying Depression Stereotypes
Common knowledge of depression paints a stereotypical picture which includes bouts of tearfulness, feelings of sadness, and feelings of worthlessness. While these are valuable clues, they may not be present in men who are actually struggling with depression. With this in mind, here is a short list of symptoms more likely to be experienced by men:
- loss of interest in favorite activities or hobbies
- change in appetite (increase or decrease)
- sleep disturbances
- feelings of apathy
- lack of motivation
Depression Counseling for Men
In addition to differences in the expression of symptoms for men, we should also take care to consider how counseling may differ for men. Men may be less likely to seek out treatment because of their concern that they will have to engage in a level of emotional disclosure or "touchy feely stuff" than they would be comfortable with. With this in mind, the following approaches may benefit men when looking for and engaging in treatment for depression:
- concrete goal setting
- behavioral activation therapy
- cognitive behavioral approaches
- exercise or engagement in regular physical activity
- focus on physical health including diet and sleep hygiene
While there is certainly more to consider when treating men with depression, consideration of these concepts is important for clinicians and men looking for treatment. For further reading please consider the following links:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/male-depression/art-20046216?pg=2
The Winter Blues
Seattle, and the Northwest as a whole, is an amazing place to live but comes with a yearly price tag in the form of a dark and rainy winter (can I say dark again?). Some individuals may find that they feel a little less motivated, less energized, or just a little "down". Others may feel these and more, with much more intensity, otherwise known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder) now considered a subtype of major depressive disorder in the DSM 5. In order to get away from the pop psychology understanding about this condition, it is helpful to discuss exactly what SAD is and what we can do about it.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
When folks talk about SAD, they are really talking about major depressive disorder which continues to occur during seasonal changes (winter being the most common), but is alleviated with the change in seasons. Symptoms may include increased sleep (20% more than usual), overeating, weight gain, prominent energy, and craving carbohydrates. These symptoms are also not explained by a seasonal job loss, school schedule, or any other extraneous circumstance tied to seasonal change.
What Can Help?
Like many other forms of depression, medication has been a proven form of treatment and can be discussed with your primary physician or psychiatrist. Light therapy, or phototherapy, has also been shown to alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder as well, but care must be taken to discuss with your primary care provider as to which light box is appropriate and how it should be used.
What About Counseling?
Psychotherapy has also been shown to be an effective treatment method for SAD, and is often recommended in unison with medication and/or light therapy treatments. Working with a counselor who utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy to identify negative thought patterns and resulting feelings and behaviors can alleviate symptoms and give individuals the tools to combat symptoms of SAD in the future.
What Now?
If you are concerned about SAD, or feel it may explain feelings of sadness and depression you experience seasonally, please feel free to contact me to discuss counseling options. Also, below are a list of resources to find out more about SAD.
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/seasonal-affective-disorder.aspx
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml
http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb06/sad.aspx
