The Emotionally Disturbed Athlete

In brief: In general, athletes have the same range of emotional illnesses as other persons, but the problem is complicated by the athlete's macho image and the fact that bizarre behavior is accepted and sometimes encouraged in sports. Two psychiatrists and two psychologists agreed that the most common emotional problem among athletes is depression, followed by abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Marital conflicts, anxiety reactions, and the threat of termination of a career at an early age are also common problems. Prevention must start early, and the panelists suggest that the role models in professional sports should be less violent.