Depression and Anxiety in Athletes

Depression and anxiety are at least as common in athletes as in the general population, and more common in some groups and at some career stages.

They are easily missed. Symptoms are often put down to training, fatigue or a dip in form, and a culture of mental toughness can stop athletes speaking up. The sport and exercise medicine (SEM) clinician is often the first person an athlete talks to, so recognition is a core clinical skill.

Physical and mental health are closely linked: injury, low energy availability and overtraining can trigger or worsen low mood and anxiety, and poor mental health raises the risk of injury and illness and slows recovery.