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The Athlete's Paradox: Adaptable Depression.
Weronika Jasmina Forys1, Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa2
1Division of Continuing Education, Harvard University, 51 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 01238, USA.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 25, 2022
Summary
Elite athletes may experience a unique form of depression, termed "Adaptable Depression," influenced by factors like neurotransmitter imbalances and overtraining syndrome. Understanding these distinct biological and psychological factors is crucial for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Athlete depression may stem from unique etiological factors distinct from the general population.
- A comprehensive model of depression is needed to understand its full scope in athletes.
- Neurotransmitter and allostatic load relationships are key to understanding athlete depression incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between neurotransmitters and allostatic load in elite athletes.
- To analyze exercise-induced neurohormonal imbalances contributing to depressive states in athletes.
- To introduce a new model for understanding athlete-specific depression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of exercise-induced neurohormonal imbalance.
- Analysis of factors contributing to unique athlete depression.
- Examination of neurotransmitter roles and allostatic load.
Main Results:
- 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), psychological demands, social stigma, and overtraining syndrome (OTS) contribute to a unique athlete depression.
- Biological standards in athletes differ from non-athletes, suggesting a distinct depressive profile.
- A new term, "Adaptable Depression (AD)," is proposed to describe this unique condition.
Conclusions:
- Athlete depression presents unique characteristics requiring a distinct conceptual framework.
- "Adaptable Depression (AD)" offers a new model for understanding athlete-specific depressive disorders.
- Future research should focus on neurotransmitter-related brain changes and the depressive tipping point in athletes.
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