One of the more interesting injury-related developments this season has been the spate of anxiety, stress and other emotional/mental issues cited as reasons for sending players to the disabled list. Dontrelle Willis, Joey Votto and Khalil Greene, who missed two games after a previous stint on the DL, have all been struck with these ailments, which has generated two general schools of response. The first is sympathetic. Many people in this country have suffered from such problems, or have close friends or family members who have suffered, and they know that being a talented athlete doesn't make you immune. The other camp feels that these are just excuses for teams to stash away players performing poorly.
Willis came off the DL, pitched like crap and returned to the DL with the same problem, which he's denied ever having in the first place. Tony La Russa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he may start Greene on Sunday, which is an odd way of handling a man who couldn't play the two previous days because of a mental issue. That plays into the idea that these aren't real problems, but handy crutches. (Editor's Note: Greene started on Sunday and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.)
In an interview with FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher in May, Greene described his difficulties. They don't sound like something that a day off here and there is going to fix.
"It was difficult to concentrate, difficult to sustain my energy level," he said. "All my energy was wasted trying to control myself. Just trying to get myself to function, to be able to stay in the game and not be thinking so much what I'm thinking. It's just a battle to be relaxed. I'm trying to battle that and find a way to come to terms with that, trying to find those coping mechanisms."Anxiety and stress disorders simply aren't a way of explaining away feeling bad about not doing very well at your job. They are much more serious than that, and need to be treated as such if they're going to be given as reasons for a player going on the disabled list. That may mean longer absences from the team, as well as more education for teams and players about what it means to have these disorders.
No one would expect a pitcher with a torn rotator cuff or a shortstop with a broken leg to be back overnight; there shouldn't be any difference in the way these issues are handled.
Athletes Mental Health Battles
On May 29, the St. Louis Cardinals placed shortstop Khalil Greene on the 15-day disabled list because of social anxiety disorder. Greene isn't alone, as many other sports stars have struggled with some kind of mental disorder in their careers.
Christian Petersen, Getty Images
Detroit Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis missed the first month and a half of the season due to an anxiety disorder after a blood test showed something of concern. Willis was activated from the disabled list and returned to the team on May 13. Source: AP
Keith Srakocic, AP
Lute Olson suffered a small stroke before the 2007-08 season which eventually sidelined him with severe depression. As a result, the 74-year-old head coach retired from the University of Arizona. Source: AP
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
In October 2008, NBA player Delonte West revealed that he contemplated quitting the team before seeking help for depression and "a mood disorder" he has been battling his entire life. "I felt a feeling of anger and I just wanted to throw it all away and quit the team," West said. Source: AP
Mark Duncan, AP
Philadelphia Eagles lineman Shawn Andrews told a Philadelphia newspaper in August that he's been fighting depression for a year. "It's not something that blossomed up overnight. I'm on medication, trying to get better," said Andrews. Source: AP
Chris McGrath, Getty Images
College football legend Herschel Walker documented his struggle with dissociative identity disorder in his 2008 autobiography 'Breaking Free.' He has claimed that due to his disorder, he cannot remember the season he won the Heisman Trophy. Source: AP
Scott Cunningham, Getty Images
Barret Robbins' NFL career ended in a psychiatric ward before Super Bowl XXXVII. Robbins, seen here in 2005, has received treatment for bipolar disorder, and recently checked into a halfway house following rehab. Source: USA Today
J. Pat Carter, AP
Frank Bruno, a former boxer who won the WBC heavyweight championship in 1995, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003. Source: Wikipedia, The Guardian
Dave Hogan, Getty Images
Former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter washed out of the NFL and was treated for drug addiction and bipolar disorder in 2004. He was arrested on marijuana possession charges in 2007 and recently played in the Arena Football League. Source: Shreveport Times, Wikipedia
Brian Bahr, Getty Images
Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Alonzo Spellman, who struggled with bipolar disorder during his career, has been in trouble with the law numerous times. Source: Chicago Sun-Times, Wikipedia
Fred Jewell, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-28-2009 @ 11:38AM
tmmytomato said...
I understand that Khalil Greene was diagnosed with anxiety disorder before he was with the Cardinals. Not being a medical doctor or psychologist I wouldn't know exactly how this affects a person but I would assume there are good days and not so good days. For the reporter to state that LaRussa has "an odd way of handling a man" is rather presumptive on the reporter's part, wouldn't you think? Irecently read a statement from Khalil Greene saying he was thankful the Cardinals were working with him. A Cardinal pitcher told me personally that one of LaRussa's attributes is to give a player every chance he can to help him out. Rick Ankeil is a good example of LaRussa trying to work with a talented player and give him whatever opportunity is available and not just throw him under the bus.
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6-29-2009 @ 12:00PM
Paula said...
mdog - you have absolutely no clue what you're talking about.
6-28-2009 @ 11:45AM
Josh Alper said...
Timmy - Perhaps it is presumptive, but it's based on personal experiences with people who have reacted to stressful situations by hurting themselves, as Greene has done. I hope the Cardinals are doing everything they can to help Greene out.
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6-28-2009 @ 1:24PM
comtox said...
This may be the fallout from restricting the use of amphetamines. Remember that bowls of these "beans" used to be in every clubhouse. And amphetamines are regularly used for attention deficit disorder, which is what Greene's explanation sounds like.
It is hard to stay focused in the heat of summer, day after day, and often on the road. One reason why drugs were always a part of professional baseball.
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6-29-2009 @ 8:23AM
mardy said...
I think there is a difference between ADD and Anxiety. Anxiety is a mood disorder there concentration is difficult because of fear of something, not performing well, loosing control of mental and/ physical behavior. ADD is predominantly characterized by hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, although inattention may be a feature. Just my opinion
6-28-2009 @ 2:18PM
earsstinks said...
Put a dress on and go on dancing with the stars if you cant handle the oven !
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6-29-2009 @ 2:23AM
pugz said...
maybe these guys just need to get a real job for a while and then earning millions for playing a kids game won't be so emotionally taxing on them.
6-28-2009 @ 3:14PM
jmthrive said...
The concept of treating what ever gets in the way of productivity is the corner stone of employee assistance programs (EAP). Even though this service exists with most companies, there is still a perceived stigma about getting help, there is still a trend in self-medicating, there is still a mis-perception about the link between the mind and the body. It takes courage and time toaddress core issues. Left untreated, self-medicating the symptom or not addressing the red flag behavior can be tragic.
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6-28-2009 @ 3:26PM
comtox said...
My experience with EAPs is a lot of them have been cut. Having used one myself, I have to tell you there is also a stigma attached in that people can see you going to the EAP office, in my case when the shrink was in (this was about 20 years ago).
6-28-2009 @ 5:37PM
Chicago Girl2 said...
jmthrive, you are exactly right! People who hide these disorders and self-medicate (i.e., do the WRONG thing) are less likely to suffer from the stigma than those who get help early to reestablish their health properly (i.e., do the RIGHT thing).
It is easy to drink, self-medicate, cover up, make excuses, and so forth. It is hard to regain your health once you've lost it. It takes time and careful discipline. But this is the responsible thing to do.
This is the right example to all the young people who aspire to be athletes, or just to play well and have fun. A body is not a machine, and health is the most precious thing there is. I am sick of seeing athletes and celebrities abuse their health. What will it take to end this dangerous pattern? When will people learn?
6-28-2009 @ 7:45PM
tddverts said...
While I am not an athlete, rather a musician, I struggle w/anxiety/OCD, and it affects me greatly in my everyday life, to the point where I gave up playing for 8 years. The fact that these players are coming out about their problems is to be applauded; we must remove the stigma that surround mental/emotional issues so all people can get the help they need to perform to the best of their abilities.
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6-28-2009 @ 9:01PM
papam11 said...
It's unclear what type of anxiety disorder he has. If it's panic disorder, he's in a real fight. I've had it off and on for 40 years and believe me, it is sheer terror. To give you an example of what it is, picture yourself driving down a street and seeing a kid run out into your path from between two parked cars. That split second of total terror can be an everyday, and a lot of times off and on ALL DAY, occurrence. You could be watching TV and get hit with an attack for no apparent reason. Your heart races, you feel as though your going to black out. You feel flushed. You shake. Things seem unreal. You get super panicky nervous. There's a whole list of symptoms. It can be caused by a chemical imbalance or by a life changing event. Today there are medications that help, but years ago--there wasn't much that helped. So hold the snide comments unless you've walked a mile in his shoes.
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6-29-2009 @ 8:11AM
Ms. Jan said...
I've had breast cancer and panic disorder and believe me, I'd rather deal with breast cancer again. I was so afraid I was going to die but at the same I was constantly contemplating suicide to get away from the mental anguish. Nardil was the drug that finally cured me.
6-28-2009 @ 10:36PM
bonschwein said...
More than EVER people need to openly discuss, and erase the stigmas surrounding disorders such as depreesion, adhd, panic attacks and related
disorders once and for all! Many children these days are suffering from
these disorders for reasons we don't yet know (genetic? environmental?)
and they need to see that even professionals like Khalil Greene can have it
and not be ashamed.
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6-28-2009 @ 10:42PM
lumorrone said...
A lot of adults are emotionally children. Just go to a little league baseball game and you'll see it. They need to study the website, www.themiracleinsidemymind.com
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6-29-2009 @ 12:23AM
Raiders Fan said...
Great, another player stinking the joint up all of a sudden is stressed. Jackie Robinson is rolling over in his grave. Hank Aaron should be shaking his head in confusion. Nobody played under my stress than these guys, and they continued to play. Suck it up and play. Everybody has stress at their job. This whole "diagnosis" is only going to snowball. Drunk man selig is going to have his hands full here soon if nobody can play without being stressed. Good luck with that. This is all a scam.
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6-29-2009 @ 12:42AM
C.A. said...
I found this article after watching the game this afternoon on TV here in Minnesota. All I can say is that was the loudest expletive I've ever heard on live TV that Greene let out after his final strike-out.
The Post-Dispatch quoted La Russa as saying, "He was having some problems. That's all I'll say. Otherwise, there's no reason to take him out." No doubt those problems were related to all the families with young children in the stands that were subjected to a top-of-the-lungs f-bomb!
I really feel sorry for Greene. Obviously there's a lot of mental anguish going on, and he made an absolute fool of himself to boot.
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6-29-2009 @ 3:08AM
rlbrooks726 said...
Waaahhh!!!! They're being paid a fortune to play a game. WTF? Suck it up, go out and play the game. What is with all of these people all of a sudden having anxiety disorders and stress related illnesses. How much stress could they be under? They make huge amounts of money, all of their travel needs, rooms, food, etc., are taken care of. All they have to do is go out and a play a game that any sports fan would love to be able to do.
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6-29-2009 @ 6:20AM
Doug said...
The majority of society doesn't like a whiner in a competetive endeavor. It is either compete to win or get out. Mental disorders are a weakness in the competetive world. In the corporate world, sports world, and the social ladder there are no acceptions. That's the way it is. It is part of evolution to cull out the weak and perpetuate the strong.
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6-29-2009 @ 9:09AM
comtox said...
You're right. After being clinically depressed for an extended period and getting over it, I can say that a lot of it was based on self indulgence. If you concentrate on others and try to be a team player instead of thinking about yourself or what other people think, you can avoid a lot of problems.