Sports Psychiatric Diagnostics in Competitive Sports - Establishing a Clinical Standard

Mental complaints and disorders are common in competitive sports. Despite this, they are not recognized sufficiently in Pre-Participation Examinations (PPE) yet. We present a structured, staged model of sports psychiatric diagnosis containing a Psychiatric Basic Assessment (PBA) within the annual PPE as well as a Sports Psychiatric Evaluation (SPE) in case of conspicuous PBA results. The PBA should be designed as a compact as well as sensitive and specific instrument. An optional three-stage SPE by specialists for both psychiatric disciplines should preferably include a general psychiatric assessment, a clinical interview and a symptom- or disorder-specific diagnosis and examination. Such a staged approach should be time-efficient and well accepted by the athletes. The model proposed here will hopefully contribute as a clinical standard to the early detection of mental disorders requiring treatment.