Link Between Concussions and Depressions Within Athletes (10 page Essay)

The link between Concussions and Depression among Athletes Concussions refer to traumatic brain injuries that affect normal brain functions. The brain injuries may present in the form of headaches and problems with coordination, balance, memory, and concentration. The injuries are common in athletes since they are more prone to head injuries from sporting activities. Violent shaking of the upper body can also lead to a concussion. Concussion symptoms can be subtle and may take time to show after injury. The symptoms include confusion, loss of memory or amnesia, headaches, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, fatigue or drowsiness, vomiting, nausea and dizziness. A witness may observe signs including forgetfulness of the victim, dazed appearance, delayed response to questions, slurred speech and temporary loss of consciousness. In this paper, we focus on the concept of concussion and how it is linked to depression in athletics. Depression is is a common and serious mental disease affecting how people feel, act or think. Depressed people feel sad and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. The disease can also cause different emotional and physical issues and limit the person's ability to function at home or work. Symptoms of depression may vary from mild to severe. Most depressed people have suicide ideation, difficulty thinking, concentrating or deciding. Others feel guilty and worthless, lose energy, have trouble sleeping, change appetite, and feel very sad. Depression may result from environmental factors such as exposure to poverty, abuse, neglect, violence. Other factors include brain chemicals and genetics. It is, however, critical to appreciate the link between concussion and depression. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than three million athletes suffer concussions annually. Most people who experience concussions are athletes, which usually happens during engaging activities such as football, lacrosse, hockey and soccer. Although most athletes recover shortly after, a repeated concussion can cause depression. Kerr et al., 2014, did a study to understand the link between concussion and depression., aggression, impulsivity in former collegiate athletes. They recruited former collegiate athletes for an online questionnaire. Of the seven hundred and ninety-seven respondents in the study, thirty-nine percent reported at least one concussion. The study, therefore, established a link between former concussions and severe depression. Mental health is a critical element of overall human health. More specifically, mental health amongst athletes is a critical aspect of the entire athletic career. The athletic environment can positively or negatively affect the athletes' mental health. The link between sport-related concussion and depression is very complex, and depression treatment in retired athletics should focus on the comorbid symptoms. Studies have shown a link between sports-related concussions and depression. Understanding the long-lasting effects of concussions and depression is critical in the public athletic sector and could have a profound effect on this industry, considering that approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur annually to athletes......................