Depression in Athletes: From Etiology to Intervention

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide.  It’s affecting approximately 280 million people across the globe with the highest rate between 20 and 40. It’s estimated that women are diagnosed twice as many times as men. Ethology is complex and multifactorial including genetic, psychological, social, endocrine, and immune factors, which results in abnormal biochemical changes and incorrect neurotransmission in the brain. Recent data points that physical activity reduces the risk of depression and its associated symptoms regardless of age or geographical location. 

Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to analyze the available literature to examine the prevalence of depression among athletes and the unique risk factors contributing to it.

Materials and methods: Comprehensive review of the literature available on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus database by searching the keywords “depression”, “depressive disorder”, “physical activity”, “sport”, “athletes “.

Results and conclusion: Athletes are just as susceptible to depression as the general population. However, many athletes hide their symptoms and do not seek help due to stigma, fears of career repercussions and concerns about being perceived as weak. Regular screening for early signs of depression and providing access to specialized psychological support during critical stages of their careers could significantly improve depression detection and facilitate timely intervention. Destigmatizing mental health problems in the sports community is crucial to solve detection, treatment and prevention problems of depression in athletes.