- Sarah Pospos, MD, MS
How to Recognize Depression in Athletes
Unfortunately, athletes are not immune to depression. As a sports psychiatrist and former student athlete, I’ll share information about depression in athletes, how to recognize depression, and when to see a sports psychiatrist, so you don’t have to suffer alone.
Depression in Athletes
A few facts:
10% of college athletes have depression
The highest depression rate is found in female track and field athletes
Depression is the #1 cause of disability
50% of those who are depressed also struggle with anxiety
Only 62% of those who are depressed receives treatment
Athletes may also battle unique challenges such as:
Injury
Retirement from sport
Overtraining
Concussion
Failing short in the brightest light after spending every waking hours training
Learn more here.
How to Recognize Depression
You may find it harder and harder to get out of bed every morning, constantly questioning what’s the point of all this training, sacrifice and hard work? It all just seems meaningless. Your coach may notice a decline in your athletic performance as well.
You may experience:
Intense and sustained feeling of sadness, emptiness, irritability
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Low energy
Poor focus, concentration and decision making
Loss of self-esteem
Helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness or extreme shame/guilt
Sleep problems
Appetite changes
Sexual difficulties

When to See a Sports Psychiatrist
If feeling rundown and depressed starts to get in the way of your training, athletic performance, relationships or daily responsibilities, more help is needed.
Psychiatrists are specialized medical doctors who require at least 12 years in higher education and 15,000 hours of clinical training before being allowed to independently diagnose, treat or prescribe. In comparison, nurse practitioners (NP) require 500 clinical hours (typically supervised by a medical doctor); and physician assistants (PA) require 2,000 clinical hours. Sports psychiatrists are psychiatrists with specialized training, who have in-depth understanding of the nuances when diagnosing, treating or prescribing medications for athletes.
One major hesitation for athletes is taking medication that can negatively impact your athletic performance. For instance, most medications for bipolar disorder (which may present as depression) may cause weight gain, tremor or sedation that can undoubtedly impair athletic performance. Thus, lamotrigine, which is less likely to produce these side effects, is preferred in athletes. Additionally, since common medical conditions like anemia or hypothyroidism may mimic depression, it’s important to rule out these conditions by checking your blood and thyroid level.
As a sports psychiatrist and former student athlete, I believe that every patient is different, and my recommendations are always made on a case-by-case analysis. If together we determine that medication is beneficial, I’ll walk you through different options, thoroughly explaining risks, benefits, alternatives and potential side effects, so you can be fully informed and content with the next steps. My Masters in Psychopharmacology and Applied Psychology add even more insights on all things medication and human behavior.
Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Book a free 15 minute initial phone call to reach your full potential without suffering alone.