Athletes Succeeding in Sports Despite Bipolar Disorder's Challenges

Athletes Coping with and Overcoming Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. People with bipolar experience alternating episodes of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). This condition affects about 2.8% of American adults each year. The disease can significantly impact people’s work, relationships, and overall well-being if left untreated. Professional athletes are not immune to mental health issues like bipolar disorder. With proper care and coping strategies, athletes can still thrive in sports despite bipolar’s challenges.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar causes dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels that differ from a person’s normal ups and downs. There are several types of bipolar disorder:

• Bipolar I - Alternating manic and depressive episodes, including severe mania.
• Bipolar II - Less severe mania (hypomania) alternating with depression.
• Cyclothymic Disorder - Milder but longer episodes of hypomania and depression.

Manic phases may include heightened energy, less sleep, racing thoughts, reckless behavior, or feeling abnormally euphoric. Depressive phases include very low energy, sadness, loss of interest, suicidal thinking, and other symptoms of clinical depression. Early intervention, medication, therapy and lifestyle changes are key to effectively managing this condition.

Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Athletes

Athletes with bipolar disorder may display behavioral changes that could signal mood episodes:

• Significantly more energy and reduced sleep during mania
• Extreme distractibility, impulsiveness, risk taking during mania
• Depressed mood, isolation, lack of motivation during depression
• Substance abuse as a form of self-medication
• Major shifts in performance quality not tied to other factors

Manic and depressive symptoms often disrupt sleep patterns, which can severely impact athletic performance requiring endurance and quick reflexes. Mood instability also reduces focus and concentration critical for sports. Frequent episodes take a toll both physically and mentally over time.

Challenges of Bipolar for Athletes

Athletes facing bipolar disorder often struggle with:

• Maintaining consistent training and performance
• Coping with mood fluctuations that disrupt sports activities
• Having energy for sports during depressive episodes
• Controlling risk-taking behavior sparked by manic episodes
• Making responsible choices about substance use

Episodes may occur during critical training periods, competitions, or tournaments interfering with the athlete’s goals. Sticking to a high-level training regimen is extremely difficult when battling mood instability. Impulsiveness and substance issues related to mania also jeopardize sports careers.

Treatment Options for Athletes

Several treatment approaches can help athletes successfully manage bipolar disorder:

• Medication - Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and/or antidepressants.
• Psychotherapy - Cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy.
• Lifestyle changes - Regular sleep, diet, exercise, stress reduction.
• Support system - Understanding coaches, trainers, teammates.

Medications help control mood episodes and accompanying symptoms. Talk therapy provides coping strategies for the disorder’s challenges. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits helps regulate mood. A strong support system is critical for encouragement during difficult periods. Combined appropriately, these treatments allow athletes to better control bipolar disorder.

Coping Tips for Athletes

Athletes can manage life with bipolar disorder by:

• Closely adhering to their medication regimen
• Going to all therapy/counseling sessions
• Tracking mood, sleep, diet in a journal for pattern awareness
• Identifying and avoiding personal manic/depressive triggers
• Using relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga to reduce stress
• Avoiding alcohol or illicit drugs which worsen symptoms
• Asking loved ones for help recognizing mood episodes early

Having accountability through a treatment team improves consistency coping with bipolar’s challenges. Recognition of personal mood triggers and warning signs enables athletes to intervene sooner during new episodes. A healthy, balanced approach maximizes sports performance potential.

Famous Athletes Who Battled Bipolar Disorder

A number of star athletes from various sports have experienced bipolar disorder firsthand. Their stories demonstrate that this condition can be overcome to achieve greatness.

Tyler Hamilton - Cyclist

American road cyclist Tyler Hamilton won an Olympic gold medal in 2004 after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder early in his career. He managed the condition and arduous training through a support team overseeing his treatment and health. Being forced to retire in 2009 due to a second doping offense led to severe depression. Hamilton began abusing substances and attempting suicide. He ultimately found sobriety and new purpose through advocating for mental health.

Terry Bradshaw - Football

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl wins through the 1970s. In the years after retirement, he frequently experienced debilitating depression and mood swings. After an attempted suicide in his late 40s, Bradshaw was appropriately diagnosed with clinical depression. Treatment through therapy and medication allowed him to gain control over bipolar disorder. He continues to share his mental health journey publicly.

Mardy Fish - Tennis

Mardy Fish rose as high as the world #7 ranking in professional men’s tennis. But away from the court, Fish secretly grappled with severe anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder for much of his career. After reaching his breaking point in 2012, Fish was admitted to an intensive treatment program. He credits medication, therapy, and family support for achieving ongoing stability. Fish continues to play occasional pro tournaments while serving as a mentor for athletes’ mental health.

Herschel Walker - Football

College football Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker excelled in both college and pro football in the 1980s and 90s. In his autobiography, Walker revealed his struggles with dissociative identity disorder stemming from undiagnosed bipolar disorder. With professional treatment starting in the early 2000s, Walker gained better control over his mental health. Today, he openly shares his journey to break stigma around mental illness.

Apolo Ohno - Speed Skating

Apolo Ohno is an eight-time Olympic speed skating medalist, including two golds. In his memoir, Ohno detailed his tumultuous adolescence when he was often depressed, suicidal, and self-medicating. After getting his bipolar disorder under control through professional care, his skiing improved dramatically. Ohno says that finally achieving mental health allowed him to fulfill his tremendous potential.

Tips for Coaches, Teammates, and Loved Ones

Athletes coping with bipolar disorder rely heavily on their support team. Here are some tips for assisting a teammate or loved one with bipolar:

Learn about Bipolar

Educate yourself about bipolar symptoms, treatment, and challenges to empathize with what your athlete is going through. Recognize that bipolar is a serious medical condition requiring compassion and support.

Offer Encouragement

Give consistent encouragement to boost motivation and morale which may be low during depressive periods. Remind them of their strengths and that moods can improve.

Help Identify Triggers

Keep notes on behaviors that seem to precede mood shifts. These insights can help your athlete and their medical team identify triggers to avoid or address.

Assist with Treatment

Provide accountability and transportation help in attending medical and therapy appointments. Remind them when to take medications if focus is poor during mania.

Let Them Rest

Understand their need for extra rest during depressive episodes. Don’t push excessively hard activity that could worsen underlying mood issues.

Avoid Judgment

Refrain from judging their condition or making assumptions. Well-meaning criticism can cause additional strain.

The Outlook for Athletes with Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is undoubtedly challenging for athletes aspiring to great heights in sports. But with proper diagnosis, professional treatment tailored to their needs, and a compassionate support circle, athletes can successfully manage their bipolar symptoms. They can establish the physical and mental equilibrium needed for fulfilling and successful sports careers. Just as in competitions, taking bipolar disorder one day and one mood episode at a time is the key to progress and triumph.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.