Chapter 2C - Mental Health Issues in Athletes Flashcards
What’s one way to keep an injured athlete from becoming more anxious/stressed about not being able to perform?
Find alternate ways for them to exercise to help keep their endorphins high.
Don’t be afraid to refer to mental health doctors
Explain anxiety, and then the difference between cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety.
Anxiety is perceived as a negative emotional state, associated with the body being physiologically aroused, which is generally characterized by worry, nervousness, apprehension, and fear.
The thought process responsible for the perception of anxiety as negative is the result of cognitive anxiety.
Somatic anxiety is the physical symptoms (increased HR or upset stomach)
Help the athlete perceive the stressful situation more positively to control the anxiety.
What is trait anxiety vs state anxiety
Trait anxiety - considered to be part of one’s personality, predisposing an athlete to perceive many situations as being threatening when in fact, no physical or psychological danger exits. In general, athletes with trait anxiety generally experience high levels of state anxiety.
State - continually changing component of mood that is the subjective perception of tension and apprehension associated with increase arousal of the autonomic and endocrine systems. This is always fluctuating and can both positive and negative impact performance.
Explain stress. Good or bad? does an athlete occasionally need to be stressed? What is Eustress vs distress?
The result of a psychological and or physical demand placed on an athlete who does not have the ability to respond to the demand.
Can be good (eustress) and/or bad (distress).
It’s needed, physiological stress on the body, for an athlete to improve performance.
Explain depression. What are the signs, what causes it. Men vs woman signs?
Characterized by feelings of lethargy, hopelessness; an inability to derive pleasure from once pleasurable activities. problems with sleep, eating, substance abuse, sex dysfunction that lasts longer than two weeks.
Can be caused by - genetics, imbalance of neurochemicals, or situational context.
More in women, though men and women express it differently. Men (increased anger and irritability) Women (worthless, sad and guilty)
Treated by a mental health profession through meds, psychotherapy. SSRI meds especially (cymbalta)
What are some signs and symptoms of eating disorders?
Binge eating, skipping meals, calorie counting obsessively, self-induced vomiting, self-worth ties to physique, misusing diuretics and laxative, and unhealthy fasting or restrictive eating.
Causes - genetics, environment, social and cultural factors.
Explain anorexia nervosa (AN). More males or females?
Two types of AN are - binge type vs restrictive type. Explain the differnece
Characterized by restricting caloric intake to keep body weight at least 15% lower than would be healthy for age, sex, development, and health: an intense fear of becoming overweight or fat. Distorted self-image.
Even between men and women during adolescence, but historically was more women.
Binge eating type - can be restrictive in what they’re eating, will eat uncontrollably and then vomit, diuretics or find a way to get it out. They lose control of what they are eating.
Restrictive - counting calories, not eating much, skip meals,
Explain Bulimia Nervosa. How often is likely someone binging for it to diagnosed BN.
- Similar to Anorexia Nervosa, individuals typically have a distorted self-image of body shape, weight or size.
- BN usually have binge eating large amounts of food while feeling a sense of lack of control, self-induced vomiting, misusing laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to precent weight gain.
-Binge eating behavior usually at least 1x a week for 3 months. This is the key
Explain purging vs non-purging bulimia.
Non-purging - restricting food (fasting after binging) or engaging in excessive exercise to compensate for food that has been ingested.
Purging - involve tactics to remove food from the body
Explain the effect of eating disorders on the body and performance.
AN - Rapid weight loss, mineral and electrolyte imbalances, amenorrhea in females, decreased sex drive, fainting or dizziness, hypothermia, consistently feeling cold even in warm weather, bloating, constipation, low energy levels, fatigue.
BN - change in weight, physical signs associated with vomiting including facial swelling, knuckle calluses, tooth decay, and bad breath, chronic sore throat bloating, constipation, dehydration, GERD, heartburn, ulcers,
BED - weight gain, obesity, High BP, high cholesterol, kidney failure, diabetes, OA, skin disorders, cancer, stroke.
Explain Treatments for eating disorders.
What is the Theorectical model of behavior change:
It’s a complex mental illness that requires early detection and treatment by a qualified health professional. Requires a combo of people including - physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker and registered dietician.
- Precontemplation stage, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance (they have been making changes for 6 months or longer ) and termination.
Explain some signs and symptoms of substance abuse.
- Changes in blood lipids, increased BP, decreased myocardial function, gynecomastia (enlarged breast), decreased sperm count, shrunken testicles, impotence, and infertility in men;
- for women specifically - menstrual irregularities, enlarged clitoris, deeper voice, more masc appearance
Signs and symptoms of substance abuse or misuse.
Problems at work/school | Friction with romantic partners, friends or coaches,| Neglect of household responsibilities, self care or hygiene | Legal trouble or financial problems | Violence | Tolerance to the substance over time | Inability to stop using the substance | No longer engaging in normal activities in order to spend time on substance.
List some of the most commonly abused substances .
Tobacco - People use for calming effect, suppression of appetites, and relief of depression. Additive = Nicotine. Withdrawal - insomnia, irritability, nicotine craving, anxiety and depression
Alcohol - CNS depressant, which tends to calm and soothe individuals with lower inhibitions. But it slurs speech, impairs muscle control, coordination and reflex time. Physical dependence happens to avoid physical withdrawal symptoms - anxiety, erratic pulse rare, tremors, seizures, and hallucination.
Other prescriptions - anti anxiety, sleep and pain meds
Marijuana - more frequently abused drug in USA. Additive is THC. Smoke has more carcinogens than tobacco. Withdrawal will include anxiety and irritability
Cocaine - smoke, ijected, snorted or swallowed. effects - pleasure, alertness and increased energy. Damages brain, heart, lungs and kidneys with excess use. Withdrawal symptoms include depression and reduced energy
Heroin - intensewithdrawal with vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, confusion , body aches, and diaphoresis.
Meth - similar to coke
How do children show depression. How do older adults show it?
Children - Isolation, acting out, and anxiety.
Older Adults - More prone to hide symptoms of depression, attribute the feelings of another health problem, or be taken less serious than other age demographics.
