Mind Game
An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes
Abstract
A deep look into how even the best athletes struggle with and persevere through mental illness.
In growing numbers, athletes are speaking up about their struggles with mental illness—including high-profile stars such as Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, Simone Biles, and Naomi Osaka. More disclosures are surely on the way, as athletes recognize that their openness can help others and inspire those around them.
In Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes, Julie Kliegman offers insight into how elite athletes navigate mental performance and mental illness—and what non-athletes can learn from them. She explores the recent mental health movement in sports, the history and practice of sport psychology, the stereotypes and stigmas that lead athletes to keep their troubles to themselves, and the ways in which injury and retirement can throw wrenches in their mental states. Kliegman also examines the impacts of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use, and more, with a keen eye toward moving forward with acceptance, progress, and problem-solving.
Featuring insightful interviews with Olympians Chloe Kim, McKayla Maroney, and Adam Rippon, NBA players Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan, former U.S. Open tennis champ Bianca Andreescu, and many other athletes and experts, Mind Game breaks down the ongoing, heartening movement of athletes across sports coming forward to get the care they need and deserve—and to help others feel safe opening up about their struggles, as well.
Schlagworte
mental fitness mental health mental illness mental performance mental toughness pandemic sports and mental health substance abuse therapy Lebron James Michael Phelps Monica Seles Nancy Kerrigan Olympics PTSD Paralympics Serena Williams Simone Biles Sports Terry Bradshaw anxiety athletes and mental health corona virus depression bipolar disorder- i–xxiv Preface i–xxiv
- 21–38 Looking Back 21–38
- 59–60 The Megaphone 59–60
- 61–78 The Firsts 61–78
- 97–116 The Greats Chime In 97–116
- 117–136 On Campus 117–136
- 137–138 The Diagnosis 137–138
- 139–158 Substance Use 139–158
- 159–176 Body Image 159–176
- 177–192 Life Out of the Game 177–192
- 193–204 Conclusion 193–204
- 205–206 Acknowledgments 205–206
- 207–220 Notes 207–220
- 221–232 Select Bibliography 221–232
- 233–246 Index 233–246
- 247–248 About the Author 247–248