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ADHD is a diagnosis that affects BOTH men and women and is NOT exclusively a diagnosis made in childhood.

There have been an increasing number of athletes speaking out about their mental health struggles, and it’s no surprise that elite athletes competing at the Olympic level face a tremendous amount of pressure. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has been working tirelessly leading up to the Paris 2024 games to ensure that athletes have a surplus of mental health resources. Through the USOPC’s extensive mental health program and offerings, around 1,200 athletes received mental health services in 2023 from the USOPC, with the youngest athlete being age 12 and the oldest being age 54.

With Michael Phelps and Simone Biles speaking openly about their mental health challenges in recent years, sports leagues and players associations around the country are making resources available to their athletes. No one is setting a better example than the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).

Over the last several years, it’s become increasingly difficult to schedule appointments within a short timeframe and contact a physician between visits, as many healthcare systems are understaffed and have growing waitlists of patients needing to be seen. Mental health conditions have become increasing prevalent as more people are facing stress and challenges at home and at work. Traditionally, outpatient psychiatry clinics have been very busy and have both limited availability and long wait times.

Mood disorders in children are a serious concern that can have a significant impact on their overall well-being and development. Understanding these disorders is crucial for parents and caregivers to provide the necessary support and intervention. Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, can affect a child's emotional state, behavior, and ability to function in daily life. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of these disorders to ensure early detection and appropriate treatment.

Adversity is inevitable. At some point, you will face challenges both personal and professional. This could look like a sudden job loss, a personal challenge, financial hardship, health concerns, or professional setbacks.

Sports psychiatrists play a key role in supporting an athlete’s mental health.

Implement these skills and watch your performance reach new heights.

What differentiates the highly successful person from the rest? Whether you’re an athlete, a business professional, or a performer of any variety, your life requires you to perform well to truly reach your potential and be successful in your daily life. There have been several studies and reviews examining the common habits, traits, and skillsets of these high-performing individuals.

Sleep-wake syndrome causing individuals to experience periods of excessive sleepiness or extended periods of wakefulness. This condition can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, affecting their physical health, mental well-being, and overall productivity.

Performance anxiety is a common phenomenon that many athletes face, regardless of their level of expertise. It refers to the intense, often debilitating, fear and apprehension that athletes experience before or during their performance. However, with the right strategies and techniques, these hurdles can be overcome.

When an athlete gets injured, whether it be a short-term or long-term rehabilitation and recovery, many new issues and stressors arise. The psychological factors play a key role in the length of time to recovery. Supporting both physical and psychological recovery in injured athletes is crucial, as research demonstrates that personality traits, fear of re-injury, and loss of interest all affect an athlete’s ability to return to play successfully1. The fear of re-injury is the leading reason for failure to return to competitive sport2. It has been established that return to play cannot be predicted by objective physical improvement post-surgery alone3, so why are teams still considering physical benchmarks to determine when a player can return to their sport?

Frequently, successful athletes, executives, or other professionals get sucked into the cycle of anticipatory anxiety. Anticipatory anxiety is best described as worry about something that has not yet happened and trying to prepare for an unpredictable future.

“I would like to talk to you about the athlete that you saw today.” Navigating this conversation can be incredibly difficult in clinical practice, especially if the athlete requests that details not be shared. Often, the request is made without understanding the conflicts this can cause or the potential damage the care partnership or at worst, with an unspoken disregard for the confidentiality of mental health services. Athletes deserve the right to confidential and accessible mental health services.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition often associated with difficulty sustaining attention, being distracted easily, high levels of energy, and challenges managing impulses.