Why do so many athletes experience mental health problems after big competitions?

National sports championships such as the Koshien and Inter-High School Championships, and international competitions such as the Olympics, are important competitions that athletes aim for. However, many athletes tend to suffer from mental health problems after major competitions or after retirement, points out Professor Juan Gonzalez Hernandez, who studies sports and health psychology at

https://theconversation.com/mental-health-after-the-olympics-why-so-many-athletes-struggle-to-adapt-to-normal-life-after-big-competitions-236718

According to data released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2023, 33.6% of top athletes suffer from anxiety or depression, and 26.4% experience serious mental health problems by the end of their careers. The reason for this is that athletes are very attached to their goals and performance, and put a lot of effort into training. In addition, past research has suggested that in high-profile competitions such as the Olympics, athletes may experience feelings of depression and isolation as the competition ends and public interest fades.

The problem of a significant number of athletes suffering from 'psychological distress' after the Olympics - GIGAZINE

Goals, expectations, and past successes can all serve as motivation, but a joint Swedish university study pointed out that the downsides of training are often overlooked, such as distancing oneself from loved ones and close friends, making it difficult to maintain a social life, and the pressure to continue performing at the highest level.

Hernandez further stated that the negative effects on athletes' mental health can be more pronounced when their competitive careers come to an end or when they retire. According to a paper published in 2019 by psychology researchers at the University of New England in Australia, up to 20% of retired athletes experience a state of crisis characterized by lack of adaptation, ongoing psychological distress, depression, and low self-esteem. In fact, there have been several cases of athletes who have experienced major competitions becoming ill or taking their own lives due to poor mental health.

When asked why athletes are prone to mental health breakdowns after a competition, Hernandez said, 'As soon as the competition is over, we often hear athletes talk about 'what will happen next' or 'I could have done better,' regardless of the outcome. It seems that their achievements and the efforts they made to get there don't deserve even a little recognition. Thus, the moment they stop doing the activity that made them valuable, a psychological breakdown awaits them,' describing it as an 'achievement trap' that only a select few can reach.

Hernandez points out that while post-competition and retirement can be emotionally uncomfortable, they can also be important opportunities. Away from the hustle and bustle of the world and mass media that had previously focused on you, you can socialize with people, enjoy meals freely, and enter a period of adjustment to recover from your weaknesses that came from focusing on your competitive goals. Retirement can also be a great opportunity for professional athletes to explore their perspective on sports by focusing on things other than top-level competition. Hernandez says that understanding how children approach sports and observing how other athletes work hard to recover from illness and injury can also help them adjust their emotions toward their own sports.