Performance Anxiety

Have you ever excelled in practice but struggled to perform during the actual game? Perhaps nervousness has impacted your performance, with a rush of thoughts flooding your mind. Do you find yourself harboring negative thoughts about your sports abilities, to the point where a once-loved sport now brings dread? Many athletes grapple with anxiety every time they step onto the court or field. Overcoming the fear of performance is a challenge, but it's achievable.

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Let's dive into social anxiety, a condition prevalent among athletes. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) manifests as a fear of being observed, judged, or letting down one's team. It ranks among the most common mental disorders in the general population.

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Anxiety in athletes can manifest through a range of emotional and physical symptoms. Emotional symptoms may include anxiety about embarrassment, fear of disappointing the team or coaches, apprehension about upcoming games, fear of negative judgment, and concerns about others noticing the anxiety. This may lead to avoidance behaviors, such as pretending to be sick or injured. Additionally, athletes may experience difficulty concentrating and sleeping.

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On the physical front, symptoms may include profuse sweating, trembling hands, muscle tension, a racing heart, numbness or "pins and needles" in the arms and legs, headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Recognizing and addressing these symptoms is crucial for athletes seeking to overcome performance anxiety.