DPA
Paris
Post-Olympic depression is still a taboo subject and according to experts, there’s a high number of unreported cases of depression among participants after the event.
“It’s the famous iceberg model. You see a few people talking about it, but you don’t see the majority,” psychologist Marion Suprizio told dpa.
According to the expert from the German Sport University in Cologne, there are many options that can help prevent people being in a difficult situation after the Olympic Games.
“Psychology and sports psychology have a lot to offer and do preventative work. It’s important for athletes to prepare their mindset for what’s to come,” she said.
“The programmes are there. Utilization is not yet optimal, there is room for improvement.”
More and more frequently athletes are talking about their mental problems after the Olympics, but probably even more athletes are not speaking about their issues.
“The topic of post-Olympic depression is a taboo subject for many athletes. But that’s the case with many mental illnesses. The fear of stigmatization is huge,” Sulprizio said.
The topic came to the public’s attention when record Olympic champion Michael Phelps opened up about post-Games depression. The American swimmer revealed that he struggled upon the conclusion of each Games, starting after Athens 2004.
Phelps in particular shows that even great veterans can be affected, but debutants seem to be particularly at risk.
“Athletes who are competing at the Olympics for the first time fall into a hole quite quickly,” said Ulli Knapp, Malaika Mihambo’s long jump coach.
More experienced athletes know what to expect, while “newcomers are often downright overwhelmed by the huge event that is the Olympics.”
