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re: Why do sports athletes suffer from severe depression/despair/anguish
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:25 pm to mountaintop
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:25 pm to mountaintop
Achieving something you dreamed of your entire life and then saying "Now what" could be a downer I am sure.
2
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:27 pm to mountaintop
When people are intelligent enough to realize that real depression isn't simply being unhappy, we'll get better treatment. The phrase "chemical imbalance" gets thrown around so much it loses meaning, but that's what it is. The brain is broken just like your leg would be broken if your femur cracked in half. Anybody that has had experience with any opiate or benzo withdrawal has experienced what real depression feels like, the brain is just not producing any positive chemicals on it's own, there no positive feelings. Depression is that lack of production every single day.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:28 pm to HMTVBrian2
I am trying to understand. I feel badly for them, but they have everything, don't they?
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:36 pm to Rep520
Life can dish harsh outcomes.
Money does not buy wisdom.
Everyone you know will die and some will not remember you.
Children do not necessarily pan out. Grandkids do not necessarily pan out.
List goes on forever.
Money does not buy wisdom.
Everyone you know will die and some will not remember you.
Children do not necessarily pan out. Grandkids do not necessarily pan out.
List goes on forever.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:36 pm to mountaintop
quote:
What's wrong?
They get $500 million stolen from them from a brief marriage just because you happen to like IHOP and their waitresses.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:38 pm to gthog61
They are entertainers.
Same issues as Elvis and robin Williams and marylin Monroe.
Same issues as Elvis and robin Williams and marylin Monroe.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:38 pm to BluegrassBelle
Why would you think that? How did you get that out of what I typed?
This post was edited on 7/9/18 at 7:39 pm
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:42 pm to kywildcatfanone
I imagine loneliness and mistrust play a part in it as well.
Wondering if "your friend" is there because he actually likes you or because of your money probably sucks, as does not being able to do normal shite like going to a bookstore without being hassled sucks too.
Wondering if "your friend" is there because he actually likes you or because of your money probably sucks, as does not being able to do normal shite like going to a bookstore without being hassled sucks too.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 7:49 pm to Sheep
quote:
I imagine loneliness and mistrust play a part in it as well.
Wondering if "your friend" is there because he actually likes you or because of your money probably sucks, as does not being able to do normal shite like going to a bookstore without being hassled sucks too.
This is a good point and there are a lot of good points here.
The 30 for 30 Broke had a great point that in most people's lives, they have to build skill and accumulate wealth and that the building process teaches them how to handle wealth.
Athletes are the opposite. They can go from broke to rich and famous almost instantly at a young age. That does not lend itself to being able to handle it.
People can easily view them like commodities. With that comes pressure to perform. I've known pro athletes before and a common thing is losing any actual enjoyment of playing. It becomes a job and one they have to do to keep their status, internally and externally.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 8:14 pm to gthog61
quote:
Achieving something you dreamed of your entire life and then saying "Now what" could be a downer I am sure.
"And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer."
Posted on 7/9/18 at 8:17 pm to mountaintop
Everyone has issues. The poor crackhead on the side of the road and Warren Buffet both have money issues, one involves getting enough for his next meal, where the other does billion dollar deals. You cannot tell me a billion dollar deal is less stressful than knowing you can probably beg enough for a burger.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 8:40 pm to kywildcatfanone
quote:
Why would you think that? How did you get that out of what I typed?
You insinuated that there is a correlation between a low IQ and depression in athletes.
I’d just as well argue it has to do with the overwhelming burden of being worth financially what they’re worth and the negatives that come along with that.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 8:46 pm to mountaintop
Depression is a chemical imbalance, having money won’t change that
Posted on 7/9/18 at 8:50 pm to mountaintop
You spend your entire life being the best at something. You acheieve unparalleled adulation throughout HS, college and into the professional ranks. In your early 20's you earn more money than 99% could ever dream of. You live a life 99% of the population could never imagine...then it suddenly ends while you are still a young man/woman (30's)
The fame and fortune go away and the next kid takes your spotlight. You now have to continue living and the ONE thing you've ever know is not available to you anymore (at least at a competitive level). You have no other significant skill other than being exceptional at your sport. Your reason for waking up almost every day for the last 20 years isn't their anymore. The daunting question now faces you "what do I do now?"
It's hard to imagine NOT being depressed to at least some degree.
The fame and fortune go away and the next kid takes your spotlight. You now have to continue living and the ONE thing you've ever know is not available to you anymore (at least at a competitive level). You have no other significant skill other than being exceptional at your sport. Your reason for waking up almost every day for the last 20 years isn't their anymore. The daunting question now faces you "what do I do now?"
It's hard to imagine NOT being depressed to at least some degree.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 8:57 pm to mountaintop
They are used to being worshiped and when it's gone they can't handle it. Also aren't used to cooking for themselves, paying bills on their own, etc. They get accustom to a certain life style thinking they are entitled to it for life.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 9:31 pm to mountaintop
quote:
Why? They have the money, the fame, they could afford to pay their utility bills, tuition for their children/family, car payments, they have the best health care coverage.
What's wrong?
hell if I know. I've only walked a mile in my shoes.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 9:50 pm to mountaintop
It's sad people still don't understand depression to this degree.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 9:52 pm to mountaintop
quote:
Why? They have the money, the fame, they could afford to pay their utility bills, tuition for their children/family, car payments, they have the best health care coverage.
And with that comes things like family (and not even immediate) showing up wanting a handout. Hundreds of people writing letters begging for them to visit their sick kid. Not being able to trust whether someone is there for your money or for you. Never being able to enjoy something like a trip to the bar to grab a beer because you’re constantly being watched. People constantly scrutinizing your every move on social media.
If you have mental health issues before that, that’s only going to magnify it.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 10:08 pm to mountaintop
Constant competition and drive all your life? They've come up from 6-8 years old, being overly successful and head over heels more talented than their peers....to no job, skills, or purpose other than a football identity that's gone. The average professional football player only plays 3 years....and makes less than 3 million bucks. Granted that's a lot of money, but living that lifestyle at 21-25, and then having that cash flow stop abruptly, with no further job options....I get a young man panicking and losing hope.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 10:09 pm to mountaintop
Do you own any books that aren’t pop-up books?
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