Sports psychiatry is a medical specialty that aims to treat and prevent mental disorders in athletes and helps them use different techniques to enhance their performance.
[4] It was brought up in literature again twenty years later by JH Rick Massimino, MD, and mentioned again in 1992 by California-based psychiatrist Daniel Begel, who is known for officially launching the specialty.
As the field developed, the World Psychiatric Association eventually created a section on Exercise and Sports Psychiatry, giving way for interest in other countries, including Britain and Germany.
[3] Founded in 1994 by Dan Begel, the International Society for Sports Psychiatry (ISSP) is a global leader in promoting mental health and well-being in athletes of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, the ISSP advances the field of sports psychiatry, ensuring athletes have the resources they need to thrive.
[1][3] Eating and body dysmorphic disorders have higher incidence in women in sports that emphasize appearance, like gymnastics or figure skating.
[3] The majority of people who use Complementary and Integrative Health Care (CIC) to enhance their athletic performance report positive results.
Other styles such as manipulation, spiritual healing, special diets, acupuncture, meditation, and homeopathy were also reported to be beneficial for athletic performance.
Carbohydrates are particularly important for athletes to maintain energy levels during intense activities and help in their recovery between training sessions or competitions.
[11] Usually, sports psychiatrists choose non-sedating medications[12] because they are less likely to cause side effects such as an increase in weight and body fat, sedentary behavior, a decrease in insulin sensitivity, cardiac issues.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) provides a list of generally banned substances, and it is left to each leagues' discretion to add a more strict code.
To illustrate this point, consider exposure to hypoxic conditions through technology, such as altitude tents and chambers, which utilizes the phenotypic plasticity of the human organism and is deemed to be acceptable as it falls within the natural range.
By understanding the distinction between these two methods, natural performance can promote and continue to improve athletic achievements within acceptable and safe boundaries.
The concern for not being respected by coaches, teammates, and even family members can lead an athlete to not seek the mental health care that they need.
[17] Examples of mental health stigma · Natasha Danvers is a retired, British track and field athlete who has won Olympic medals.
Rick provided an example of this stigma when he mentioned people on social media accusing him of being weak and lacking mental toughness.
Mardy discussed that athletes are taught to have mental toughness and that showing weakness, such as anxiety issues, is unworthy behavior in the sports world.