Sports Anxiety..

**Posts:** 2 · by **RvgDse** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:04 pm

Hello,

I found your website when I was desperately trying to find some information on anxiety and how to cure it.

I'm a 17 year old male and I suffer from severe anxiety attacks, the worst however, have been related to playing sports.

I enjoy playing sports..but when going to practices, I get extremely anxious, and I don't know why. It's a tense nervous feeling that lasts all day, leaves after practice only to return afterwards.

I find it's extremely crippling, as that's all I can think about and the more I think, the worse it gets. Eventually, I calm down and realise I just had an anxiety attack.

The anxiety was so bad that it caused me to quit the team last season (and thusly really disapointing the coaches). I felt bad playing, and worse after leaving (although no anxiety, just depression). I keep telling myself that this season will redeem everything but it's just turning out to be the exact same thing, but this time my anxiety is prompting me to try and find a solution. Which is why I'm here..

I can't stand this, does anybody have ideas? :cry:

-RvgDse

**Posts:** 5816 · by **Michael Lank** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:38 pm

Hi RvgDse,

Welcome to the forum.

That's a shame to have those uncomfortable feelings intruding into something that you really enjoy and are obviously good at.

With sports it's not uncommon for people to have some anxiety over their performance, particularly if they're good at their sport; thinking there's a pressure to perform well - is this what you're experiencing?

A little bit of nervous excitement is a good thing and motivates us to perform better, it's just that sometimes too much can be intrusive.

What you are experiencing is the body's natural response to what is perceived as a threatening experience - the body and mind are getting ready to fight or run away from an unpleasant experience - it's a lifesaver in the right circumstances.

Once people learn to feel more comfortable and relaxed around those situations which used to be uncomfortable, then they can get on with really enjoying the sport or whatever and perform so much better.

There's some information great information on the Panic Attacks Website and another article here Anxiety & Panic Attacks and a hypnosis session to download: Stop Panic Attacks.

Best wishes and let us know how you get on.

**Posts:** 2 · by **RvgDse** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:06 pm

Hello,

I've been really thinking this over as the tryout season starts very soon. I think it could be a little element of performance problems! I have asthma, and when doing certain exercises/drills, I'm not always completely able to remain "with the group". It's embarassing having an attack on the field in the middle of the drill. This could be one of the problems.

Another problem I had was I didn't like being alone during the training camps. Doing everything is hard by yourself, and I've found that having a good friend by your side with you really helps. This year, I told myself that I'd do this season before I graduate and not be able to do it ever again. How? Have a friend on the team.

Well, my friend bailed out at the last minute, and I'm still locked in for doing the training. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore the game and it's extremely fun, but I find it extremely mentally straining with the problems I have (asthma-related).

I don't know, perhaps I'm just overthinking everything -_-

-RvgDse

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