Almost all athletes go through a stage of a mental letdown at some time in their lives. However, sports agencies are aware of this, and they are now appointing a sports psychologist to help athletes overcome such letdowns. An example of such scenario can be explained using Michael Phelps case. Phelps had been in a fight with anxiety since his young age. As he grew up, he was faced with cases of lack of self-confidence, distress, inability to control emotions and lack of self-motivation.
Professional swimmer Michael Phelps was recognized as the most decorated Olympian in history: with 23 gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze medals (TODAYNBC, 2017). To people's surprise, Phelps came out to discuss his state of depression after every Olympics game. He admitted that he had been into depression since 2004 and at that time, no amount of accolades could cure his mental state (Wire, 2017). Phelps explained that he had been under pressure since his young age and how suicidal thoughts compounded him. Phelps was facing different kind of stressors in his life. For once, he had relationship problems _ he had wished to have a family for a long tome but he was disappointed that he had no one to love. That was before his reform at the age of 30 (Wire, 2017). Phelps was also suffered from chronic stressor. For 25 years, he was battling with the lack of self-love, self-confidence and self-image. He says that he did not like what he saw in the mirror for the entire 25years. In an interview with BBC News, he admitted his state of depression _ "I wanted to push myself really to see what my max was" (TODAYNBC, 2017). His problem in communicating is also another stressor that was evident in his life. He was also struggling with communication problem for 30 years. He explains how he once felt that he had no reason to be in sports again. Additionally, he did not want to be alive anymore (Wire, 2017). Phelps was deservingly decorated as world Olympic hero. Inside him, he was experiencing public battles with substance abuse in the past. A period that came after Olympic success, he engaged into excessive drinking and Marijuana usage (Wire, 2017).
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Some psychological skills in training programs have been set to help athletes deal with anxiety. These skills include goal setting, imagery, self-talk, arousal regulations, and attention control ( Crocker, 2007 ). Goal setting is the most commonly used performance enhancement strategy in the field of sports psychology ( Phelps, 2018 ). Goals embrace attention and increases persistence. Realistic goal setting assists an athlete to relieve all types of stress. In one of the research on goal settings _ involved skaters as the main participants confirmed that goal settings leads to general performance improvement. In addition to goal setting, guided imagery is also a significant intervention for athletes with an anxiety problem. Research confirms that guided imagery is a simple yet effective way athletes can manage their anxiety ( Phelps, 2018 ). Imagery involves the use of scripts, tapes, or even ones thought to get yourself relaxed and calm. Self-talk is also a mean of intervention to anxiety. Self-talk involves a dialogue with us with regards to happenings. Positive self-talk can help people higher their self-esteem. Positive self-talk consists in appreciating positive aspects in situations ( Phelps, 2018 ). Self-talk makes a proof that we are responsible for what we feel.
Almost everyone has dark thoughts during his or her low moods, and for the case of Michael Phelps, nothing is different. The best way Phelps can deal with his anxiety and depression is through goals setting and. For instance, performance goal will assist an athlete to plan for his goals. Additionally, the best way Phelps could have avoided continuous depression was by avoiding situations that could trigger suicidal thoughts through self-talk ( Crocker, 2007 ). After a long period of battle with depression and anxiety, Phelps was determined to change. After he proclaimed his hunger for change to the public, Phelps was one step ahead in coping with the problem. Additionally, he could have used visualization techniques to make his body enter into a relaxed state ( Crocker, 2007 ). This is a way of practicing guided imagery for anxiety. Since he was young, Phelps had been struggling with anxiety. Self-talk could have assisted him to cope with anxiety until he realized he needed to change his, he started reforming. Self-talk could have catalyzed his recovery. Self-talk involves appreciating what one does, have, or situations. Phelps had a lot of things to be proud of; however, his self-esteem was much lower.
References
Crocker, P.R.E. (Ed.) (2007). Sport and Exercise Psychology : A Canadian Perspective 3rd Edition. Toronto, Canada. Pearson Education
Phelps, M. (2018, January 19). Michael Phelps opens up about his struggle with
Depression and anxiety. (Gallucci, Nicole, Interviewer). Retrieved from https://mashable.com/2018/01/19/michael-phelps-discusses-depression-mental-health-struggles/#qUon9girfqqx
TODAYNBC. (2017, October 19). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao4fEglWqms
Wire, C., (2017, April 24). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Zc6Uqd4ow
