Does elite cycling have a problem with mental health?

[RocknRolla]

This may be off topic, but i think we have a general mental health issue globally. 

 

Just read the news.

 

13 YO stabbed a 19 yo with his two 15 yo accomplices... wtf. 

 

Two kiddies under 10 held for rape. What. 

 

These are just local examples. Society is in a very dark space im afraid. 

 

I'm with you on this one.

Society in general has some real issues, the stabbing case is shocking, the age of the suspects are a big shock. 

 

Not sure what the answer is, but I probably think parents really need to start parenting properly again, that may be a start. 

[Jewbacca]

It is very common and a real problem within Elite level sport. Especially after a huge event like Olympics. Its not pressure as mentioned here, its another element entirely. 

 

Add eating disorders and the likes.

Post race depression is very real.

 

When an event consumes your focus, gives you drive, purpose and priority, often the immediate time afterwards can be incredibly tough.

 

If one doesn't have the right support structures, focus can be difficult.

 

After world champs last year I really struggled to come right. Almost a year of preparation and now it was all over. I am only now really settling down into a routine again after 3 months of being a bit 'at sea'.

 

Trying to find a purpose that 'matches' that sort of focus seems impossible.

 

We are strange things us humans....

[Mamil]

The Prescribed Minimum Benefits is a a legislated minimum amount of cover that medical aids are legally compelled to provide to members for a specified list of chornic and life threatening health conditions. These include Major Depressive and Bipolar conditions where there is a risk of suicide.

 

Generally there is 21 days of cover for psychiatric hospitalisation and/or 15 sessions for psychiatry and psychology.

 

Process of applying for these benefits involves a form and a diagnosis of one of conditions listed. Of course a psychiatric diagnosis has implications for future dealings with insurance companies.

https://www.medicalschemes.com/medical_schemes_pmb/ for details.

 

 

If I understand it correctly, on a basic hospital plan (like Disco) you should be able to get cover if your doctor can motivate it for reasons that would fit the medical aid's requirements like chronic meds. Basically the doc must motivate that your mental health is life threatening.

[Gr3mlin131]

On a slightly different tack to the concussion angle I've found that cycling to be a good outlet for those who suffer from a level of depression. The length of exercise, the ability to punish yourself safely while achieving and the post ride endorphins all seem to have a positive effects when on a recreational level. The issue comes when combined with added expectation of results, progression and dealing with failure when this is transposed over to a professional level.

 

There was a couple of fascinating interviews on The Cycling Podcast with pro's and their battles with depression, bipolar and other mental health conditions. 

 

For me personally cycling has helped me deal with depression, stress etc. that I have way too much of in the normal work week. I think it can be extremely useful for a recreational cyclist to manage and/or treat some mental disorders.

 

That being said as a weekend warrior at best, I do not know if I could handle this as a job. Those pressures, and having your outlet cause you stress, might easily push me too far. And they might need something else to help them deal with the extra stress caused.

[Jewbacca]

What one does need to remember is that depression is not mental illness.

 

It is a symptom of mental illness.

 

I see too many people saying 'I get depressed but you don't see me trying to kill myself' etc...

 

Riding bikes can definitely help relieve stress and give you a natural balanced high of endorfins and fun. This however is no substitute for the right medication. A combination of the 2 is also brilliant along with the patient addressing their illness, watching their triggers, being aware of their behavior and making positive changes in the way they make decisions every day.

 

Relying on meds to solve the problem is also not a solution. Behavior needs to change, decisions need to be thought out and patterns need to be recognised and monitored.

 

It is a complicated and difficult issue, but some people can and do live very fruitful lives while managing mental illness. It's just a hell of a lot harder than most people can begin to understand.

['Dale]

It is a phenomenon for all elite athletes:

 

The pressure to perform, from within

The expectations from sponsors, coach and significant others to perform

Restricted social life

Jet lag / travel / time away from home base & loved ones

Fatique

Sleep deprivation - hotel beds, time zones, adaptation to training stress

Dealing with failure 

Injury and niggles limiting optimal performance 

 

It may look sexy from the outside. 

[Mamil]

Depression is a mental illness.

 

From the Diagnostic and Statitistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Criteria for Major Depression.

 

The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

 

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.

2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.

3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

4. A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).

5. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.

7. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.

8. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

 

To receive a diagnosis of depression, these symptoms must cause the individual clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms must also not be a result of substance abuse or another medical condition.

 

 

What one does need to remember is that depression is not mental illness.

 

It is a symptom of mental illness.

 

 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

What one does need to remember is that depression is not mental illness.

 

It is a symptom of mental illness.

 

I see too many people saying 'I get depressed but you don't see me trying to kill myself' etc...

 

Riding bikes can definitely help relieve stress and give you a natural balanced high of endorfins and fun. This however is no substitute for the right medication. A combination of the 2 is also brilliant along with the patient addressing their illness, watching their triggers, being aware of their behavior and making positive changes in the way they make decisions every day.

 

Relying on meds to solve the problem is also not a solution. Behavior needs to change, decisions need to be thought out and patterns need to be recognised and monitored.

 

It is a complicated and difficult issue, but some people can and do live very fruitful lives while managing mental illness. It's just a hell of a lot harder than most people can begin to understand.

This. So much this.

 

Although "depression" is a bit too vague a description for my liking. Depression takes on many different forms and is different for every person. Finding the right medication for your particular brand is also hugely important and at times frustratingly difficult

[Jewbacca]

 

Depression is a mental illness.

 

From the Diagnostic and Statitistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Criteria for Major Depression.

 

The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

 

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.

2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.

3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

4. A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).

5. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.

7. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.

8. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

 

To receive a diagnosis of depression, these symptoms must cause the individual clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms must also not be a result of substance abuse or another medical condition.

 

I'm more trying to say that not everyone who suffers from depression suffers from a chronic mental illness.

 

But sure. Much like a cold is flu. It's not swine flu or bird flu, but it's still flu