Anxiety disorders in athletes

Athletes experience anxiety symptoms and disorders at rates similar to those in the general population. Many sport- and non-sport risk factors are associated with anxiety in this population. Anxiety has implications for sport performance—an important area of life functioning for many athletes. Specific types of anxiety (e.g., panic disorder or social anxiety disorder) may have nuanced manifestations in athletes. After ruling out non-psychiatric medical causes of anxiety in athletes, management options include psychotherapy and pharmacology. Treatment should take into account athletes’ particular psychosocial context and their physiology.