Sport Psychology: dealing with and overcoming injury
Unfortunately, season and career ending injuries occur in athletics on a regular basis. Treating these injuries can be expensive and time consuming—from doctor’s appointments to x-rays and other testing to physical therapy sessions. Often times our time is spent healing the physical injury and we forget about how the injury can affect an athlete’s mindset.
It is important to also tend to the psychological needs of the injured athlete. Often times, a student athlete will be faced with an “identity crisis” following an injury. The star quarterback can no longer play football; or the varsity setter can no longer play volleyball. It is important to realize that following a significant injury, the athlete may go through a grieving process similar to losing a pet or a loved one.
