Sports PTSD & Medical

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from sports accidents is a significant and often overlooked aspect of mental health in people engaged in sports, or who have had physical injuries. These can include operations and medical experiences, and the psychological impact in all cases can be profound. There can be a sudden disruption of physical well-being. When the body produces opioids in response to PTSD we experience fatigue which can increase a risk of re-injury, or avoidance of similar situations and even further medical care.

Athletes may find that returning to training can trigger symptoms of PTSD. Flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety may persist, affecting both physical performance and overall quality of life. The fear of re-injury or a similar accident can create a sense of vulnerability.

Somatic therapy can restore our system back to baseline. Reducing endogenous opioids that accompany dissociation can increase mental clarity and improve physical energy. I have processed sports accidents with clients, (and experienced it for my own) using this method and experienced positive effects.