Sports activities are highly competitive, so they often get aggressive. Getting injured is inevitable, especially among professional athletes.
Between 2016 and 2017, over 17,000 Canadians were hospitalized due to sports-related injuries.
It doesn’t matter whether the injury is extensive or a simple twisted ankle, it’s important to get proper treatment. And taking time out for complete recovery and rehabilitation is equally important.
The Psychological Impact of Sports Injuries
Most people think in physical terms when it comes to recovering from a sports-related injury.
What they fail to realize is that injuries also have a significant impact on psychological health and emotional wellbeing.
While recovering from an injury, an athlete can exhibit emotional responses such as:
- Sadness
- Anger
- Isolation
- Irritation
- Frustration
- Lack of motivation
- Sleep disturbance
- Lack of appetite
- Disengagement
These are all normal during the recovery period and should be addressed rather than ignored. Without proper treatment, these responses can turn into profound psychological disorders which can have long-term consequences.
The Prevalence of Depression and Self-Doubt Among Injured and Recovering Athletes
One of the most common psychological impacts of injuries in athletes are depression and low self-esteem. Not being able to compete while their teammates are still in the game can make them feel as if they’re losing their identity.
The subsequent feelings of anger, helplessness, and jealousy can take a significant psychological toll on the athlete.
Coping With the Psychological Effects Of Sports Injuries
According to research, athletes who isolate themselves severely hinder their recovery and rehabilitation process. Continuous interventions by teammates and motivational talks by mentors can have positive effects on the rehabilitation process and increase the chance of recovery with no lasting psychological effects.
Other coping strategies include getting proper treatment from experienced sports medicine specialists and seeking counselling for possible psychological effects of the injury. Getting regular physiotherapy and understanding the possibility of mental health issues resulting from sports injuries can also go a long way in preventing lasting psychological impacts.
Contact Our Sports Medicine Doctors in The Greater Toronto Area!
Sports & Exercise Medicine Institute offers expert diagnoses and treatments for sports-related injuries and their impact on athletes in the Greater Toronto Area.
Being a leading sports medicine and physiotherapy clinic, our experienced team of doctors and physiotherapists offer innovative treatment options and quick injury recovery and rehabilitation programs to our patients.
Our services include sports massage therapy, physiotherapy, foot pain podiatry, shockwave therapy, massage therapy, PRP injections, custom knee braces, pelvic health physiotherapy, and neck and shoulder pain treatments.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
