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Psychotherapy for mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes: a narrative review.

Mark A StillmanIra D GlickDavid McDuffClaudia L ReardonMary E HitchcockVincent M FitchBrian Hainline
Published in: British journal of sports medicine (2019)
This narrative review summarises controlled and non-controlled research on psychotherapy for elite athletes with mental health symptoms and disorders. In summary, treatment is similar to that of non-athletes-although with attention to issues that are athlete-specific. Challenges associated with psychotherapy with elite athletes are discussed, including diagnostic issues, deterrents to help-seeking and expectations about services. We describe certain personality characteristics sometimes associated with elite athletes, including narcissism and aggression, which could make psychotherapy with this population more challenging. The literature regarding psychotherapeutic interventions in elite athletes is sparse and largely anecdotal.
Keyphrases
  • mental health
  • body composition
  • high school
  • healthcare
  • systematic review
  • primary care
  • working memory
  • depressive symptoms