Depression
This content is for informative purposes only and is not intended to be used to diagnose a disorder. If you think you may have a depressive disorder, please call or text Aaron Grusonik at 408-482-0323, or contact your team physician or MSU Counseling and Psychological Services at (406) 994-4531.
Overview
Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common and serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, doing schoolwork, going to practice, or competing. To be diagnosed with clinical depression, symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. People with only a few – but distressing – symptoms may benefit from treatment of their "subsyndromal" depression. Whether or not you think you have clinical depression, if you feel distressed by your symptoms, you can benefit from seeking help.1
Depression and Athletes
Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health diagnoses among general college students. About 21% of male student-athletes and 28% of female student-athletes reported that they "felt depressed" in the last 12 months.2 In another study, 23.7% of college athletes reported clinically significant depression levels.3 Interestingly, elite athletes tend to be at a greater risk for depression than less elite athletes.4 Among athletes, a number of potential depression triggers exist. These may include injury, performance failure, aging, psychosocial stressors, and retirement from the sport.5 Athletes are also more likely than their non-athlete peers to participate in risk-taking activities such as binge drinking, which is linked to suicidal impulsivity and depressive behavior.6Depressive symptoms can make it feel nearly impossible to get out of bed and complete daily tasks. This is particularly challenging for student-athletes, who have large time commitments, often with required tasks every day.2 Depression is also dangerous because suicidal ideation can happen with depressive symptoms. In fact, in a 2019 study, 12% of college student survey respondents endorsed that they have "seriously considered suicide at any time in the past 12 months.2 Among college athletes, suicide ranks fourth as a leading cause of death. It is important to note that suicide rates differ between sports. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) found that football athletes demonstrated the highest rate of suicide compared to other sports.6 Depression and depressive symptoms are a core mental health concern for student-athletes.
Athlete Experiences With Depression
- Justin Duchscherer (Baseball): 'Putting The Pieces Back Together'
- Ronda Rousey (UFC): 'The Spectacular Fall and Rise of Ronda Rousey'
- Imani McGee-Stafford (Basketball): 'Helping Break the Taboo on Mental Illness'
Signs and Symptoms1
*Adapted from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145397 If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be experiencing depression:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
- Irritability
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight changes
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
Some forms of depression develop under unique circumstances or are otherwise different from clinical depression. These include:
- Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered a persistent depressive disorder.
- Postpartum depression is much more serious than the "baby blues" (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies.
- Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive "theme," such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.
- Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. This depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder.
- Bipolar disorder is different from depression, but it is included in this list is because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called "bipolar depression"). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called "mania" or a less severe form called "hypomania."
Are you experiencing depressive symptoms?
- More information from CPS: Including coping strategies, myths, symptoms, and self-screening.
- Depression Screening
Resources
References
1. National Institute of Mental Health (2018). Depression. Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145397 2. Egan, K. (2019). Supporting mental health and well-being among student athletes. Clinical Sports Medicine, 38, 537-544. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2019.05.003
3. Hilliard, R. C., Watson, J. C., 2nd, & Zizzi, S. J. (2020). Stigma, attitudes, and intentions to seek mental health services in college student-athletes. Journal of American College Health, 1–10. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1806851
4. Putukian, M. (2016). The psychological response to injury in student athletes: a narrative review with a focus on mental health. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(3), 145–148. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095586
5. Hughes, L., & Leavey, G. (2012). Setting the bar: Athletes and vulnerability to mental illness. British Journal of Psychiatry, 200(2), 95-96. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.111.095976
6. Rao, A. L., & Hong, E. S. (2016). Understanding depression and suicide in college athletes: Emerging concepts and future directions. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(3), 136. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095658
Developed 2021 by Quinn DeStefano, OTD Student
Reviewed 2021 by Aaron Grusonik, MA, Psy.D
