ADHD in Athletes
What is ADHD?
ADHD is known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is one of the most common psychological disorders in humans. ADHD begins developing in early childhood and carries into adulthood. People who have been diagnosed with ADHD have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive-like behaviors (may act without thinking of the consequences or results coming from it), or can even be overly active. They can also be referred to as hyperactive which refers to excessive movement such as fidgeting, excessive energy, not sitting still, and being extremely talkative.
Signs and Symptoms:
Lack of focus and concentration
Oppositional behavior in team sports
Argumentative attitude
Frustration
Poor self-esteem
Mood lability
Being unable to wait their turn
Acting without thinking
Excessive physical movement
Being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
Interrupting conversations
Being unable to concentrate on tasks
Sign of depression
Sign of anxiety
Are Athletes with ADHD more prone to injury?
Athletes who have ADHD have an increased risk of sustaining concussions. ADHD is associated with increased neurocognitive deficits in athletes, although pathophysiology remains unclear. Evidence for stimulant treatment in athletes with ADHD continues to be sparse. A study done by the National Library of Medicine showed that the lower impact composite scores among athletes with ADHD compared to those without it were very statistically different, with some of these injuries persisting after the concussion was made.
What can parents do to reduce the risk?
Parents can try to encourage non-contact or individual-like sports. It’s better to approach ADHD in sports a lot slower just like teaching students in the classroom with this issue, instead of focusing on competitiveness. It could help limit impulsivity and recklessness to prevent them from being injured.
Over the counter Medicine:
Methylphenidate
Lisdexamfetamine
Dexamfetamine
Atomoxetine
Guanfacine
Medicines like these can help relieve the impulsiveness, feel calmer, and learn and practice new skills
Some thoughts on the” impact of ADHD from a sports psychiatrist”:
David former athlete says:
“My ADHD and sports experience was terrible. It robbed me of something that should have brought me joy and left me trauma due to negative experiences with coaches. I really wish I could go back in time and help my younger self out by working with a sports psychologist who understood ADHD and could have given my the confidence to speak up and advocate for myself rather than let myself be a punching bag”
Reply: Jeff Cooper (psychiatrist)
“Yeah. The people with ADHD often don’t have good internal discipline, internal motivation, and so they need external discipline and structure. Yet within that, they need variety, interest, excitement, if you will. That’s why sports are terrific. Also, people in the military, firemen, and police have more ADHD for the same reason, in a very similar environment. Now, what happens with baseball is it’s a 162-game schedule. Baseball is certainly fun, but what they say to me is sometimes it’s like Groundhog Day; it’s the same thing over and over again. Now the variety, the interest starts to wear off, and it becomes routine and mundane. Then it’s really hard to get aroused.
Also, certain positions on a sports field are not as good, necessarily. I usually advise people, you want to be in a position where there is a little more action, for instance, pitcher and catcher. You’re involved in more plays. Right field, when you’re growing up, is where they put someone who’s not going to get a lot of action, and that may not be as good, for instance.”
Can ADHD be more common with elite Athletes?
“Oftentimes elite athletes can’t get treated and get the proper care due to lack of knowledge and stigma,” said study author Dr. Doug Hyun Han of Chung Ang University Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. ADHD is a common brain condition that affects an estimated 3% to 7% of people worldwide, and roughly 7% to 8% of elite athletes, the review team notes. The condition can include problems with attention and impulsivity that cause difficulties in academic, work, and personal relationships. "The focus of management should be on medications and psychosocial treatment to optimize long-term outcomes for elite athletes in sport and life," Han told Reuters Health by email.
Types:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, pay attention to details, or follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.
Predominantly Hyperactive- impulsive presentation: The person diagnosed tends to fidget a lot and lose track of focus and time quite easily. It's hard for them to sit for long periods without moving, such as having a meal or doing homework. Someone impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. At times it can also be hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to the person talking. A person with this impulsiveness is proven to tend to have more injuries and accidents than others.
Conclusion:
Athletes are expected to perform at their highest level and to be one of the best of the best at what they do to prove themselves. However, oftentimes working out and training isn’t the only factor that plays into a game or a competition due to the mental challenges and obstacles athletes have to overcome with themselves with mental disorders such as this one. ADHD is one disorder, in this case, that can often go unchecked and ignored when in reality it can make all the difference when it comes to athletics and sports.
Sources:
“What Is ADHD?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sep. 2023, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html.
“ADHD (for Parents) - Nemours Kidshealth.” Edited by Shirin Hasan, KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, May 2022, kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd.html.
“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024.
NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024.
Poysophon, Poyrung, and Ashwin L Rao. “Neurocognitive Deficits Associated with ADHD in Athletes: A Systematic Review.” Sports Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6044120/#:~:text=4.0-,Athletes%20with%20ADHD%20have%20increased%20risk%20of%20concussion,medication%20increases%20risk%20of%20concussion.
says:, David, and Jeff Cooper says: “Impact of ADHD on Sports Psychology from a Sports Psychiatrist.” DIG Coaching Practice, 26 Jan. 2023, digcoaching.com/adhd-sports-psychology/#:~:text=Athletes%20who%20has%20ADD%20 often,performance%20on%20the%20 playing%20field.
Reuters | Breaking International News & Views, www.reuters.com/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024.
Dutton, Judy. “On Your Mark, Get Set, GLOW: 3 Inspiring Athletes with ADHD.” ADDitude, ADDitude, 16 Sept. 2022, www.additudemag.com/famous-athletes-with-adhd/.
“Learn about Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Oct. 2023, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/index.html.
professional, Cleveland Clinic medical. “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4784-attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024.