Clinical Depression (“Major Depressive Disorder”) consists of some combination of the following symptoms: 1) Depressed mood most of every day; 2) Activities are no longer enjoyable/exciting; 3) Changes in weight or appetite (in either direction); 4) An observable slowing down (of thought or movement); 5) Fatigue or lost energy; 6) Feelings of worthlessness or guilt; 7) Problems concentrating or [...]
Don’t worry about knowing a mental health diagnosis before referring to a professional, but DO keep an eye out for the following symptoms associated with these two common diagnoses. Adjustment Disorders: No mental health issue should ever be minimized, however, knowing that “adjustment disorders are like the common cold of mental health” can help with removing stigma. With adjustment [...]
Seeking Mental Health Services Stigma, for athletes and others seeking help for mental health, is finally fading. Plenty of factors play into this. More people (including elite athletes like Kevin Love, Michael Phelps, and Elena Delle Donne) talking about mental health helps “normalize” it. Elite sports programs (e.g., NBA, NFL, and NCAA) are hiring full-time practitioners to address it. [...]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. The sports world has been starting to recognize the importance of attending to mental health for well-being and performance. Sport psychology, a multi-disciplinary field (psychology/mental health AND sport science), requires multi-disciplinary training [...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsuZMcNudSU&feature=youtu.be
This time of COVID-19 has thrown us all for a loop. Parents have become home-schooling teachers. Day-to-day norms have all radically changed. And so, we have to strive to accomplish a “new normal.” Routines provide stability and continuity in family life during times of stress, because: they facilitate a sense of control, protect well-being, help with work-life balance, and [...]
UNC Tarheel Women’s Lacrosse player, Katie Hoeg, put it perfectly. "We wanted to be angry at a specific person, or anything," Hoeg said, "But we knew there was nothing to be angry about. Like, this was completely out of our control. We have to do our part." Anger often provides the illusion of control in a situation that is [...]
In our lifetimes, we’ve never experienced anything quite like the current pandemic, its toll on health/lives, mental-emotional well-being, social ramifications, and economic impact. Rather than pretending that everything is “fine,” it’s more useful to be honest (with boundaries, determined by what feels right to you) and to model feeling, expressing, and managing emotions. Another way of putting this is [...]
I first published this on 3/12/20, but will continue adding links, particularly regarding mental health and coping in the face of COVID-19... First off, let me share some useful (and reliable) links about Coronavirus, so that you can learn more about what it is, how it is spread, and how it can be contained. This article and video from [...]
Like it or not, all sport careers eventually end. Age, injury, family decisions, or other factors will determine how your competitive athletic career will end or be adapted. Like many athletes, especially elites, you may feel that the transition is abrupt. Your life and identity may revolve around sport. Your loss may cause emotional, financial, or personal challenges that [...]
“Who am I?” “Who do I want to be?” These are questions commonly asked by adolescents as they work to form their self-identity. Between pre-teen and young adulthood, life is riddled with decisions regarding paths and roles. Young people may find themselves identifying as a “kid”, “a student”, and a “friend” during this time. Some pursue sports, music, or [...]
Dr. Herzog will be presenting a few exciting workshops this fall for professional development! Be sure to check them out: What: AASP Continuing Education Workshop: Psychophysiology, Biofeedback, and Mindfulness Applications in Optimal Performance. When: October 23rd, 9:00am-12:00pmWhere: AASP Annual Conference, Portland, OR. Presenters: Tim Herzog, Reaching Ahead Counseling and Mental Performance, USA; Inna Khazan, Harvard Medical School, USA; Margaret [...]
Athletic injuries can take a toll, not just on the body, but also on the psyche. For some athletes, their identity revolves around their sport; being injured can lead to feeling lost and big questions such as “Who am I?” Why are your emotional reactions to injury important? The body is attached to the brain and the heart. In [...]
Mindfulness and meditation are techniques often interwoven in mental performance training for athletes. Athletes tend to be kinesthetic learners. Because sport is all about movement, training techniques don’t just happen in the office; ideally, they’re integrated directly into physical training. In line with the Reaching Ahead Mental Performance emphasis on self-attunement, martial arts have long been a physical means [...]
Heading Towards Accomplishment? Let’s say you want to drive to Rehoboth Beach or somewhere else for a fun weekend get-away. Without finding Rehoboth on a map or with GPS, most of us would not know the best route. The sheer desire to go to the beach will not take us there; but the map or GPS that helps us [...]
