Depression in a footballers eyes...

[andyjo1982]

Evening all

I found this article about a former pro footballer, who played for my team, Norwich City, about 15 years ago. The player in question, is a winger, Darren Eadie. Its an open and honest interview about his struggles with depression and panic attacks. Some of it may seem a little like self pity, but I think it is a bit of an eye opener.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/...

I've read some of the stories from the likes of Stan Collymore, and also another ex Canary, Leon Mckenzie. I think the FA should offer more help for ex players who go through this sort of thing, along with gambling and alcohol related issues.

[Flip Martian]

Interesting. Too many people still see as depression as a stigma; a result of weakness. Its not; its a disease which can hit anyone.

[crazy about cars]

A lot of top performing athletes are under constant pressure hence it's normal for them to be more susceptible to depression. I won't call depression a disease though as diseases are normally curable but depression isn't...it could be a life long thing.

[rudecherub]

crazy about cars said:

A lot of top performing athletes are under constant pressure hence it's normal for them to be more susceptible to depression. I won't call depression a disease though as diseases are normally curable but depression isn't...it could be a life long thing.

What then if not a disease?

Okay it's not contagious, but like so many things there is a genetic disposition plus environmental factors.

[crazy about cars]

rudecherub said:

What then if not a disease?

Okay it's not contagious, but like so many things there is a genetic disposition plus environmental factors.

It's a very terrible affliction you won't even want to wish upon your worse nemesis...

[extraT]

andyjo1982 said:

Evening all

I found this article about a former pro footballer, who played for my team, Norwich City, about 15 years ago.

I've read some of the stories from the likes of Stan Collymore, and also another ex Canary

Maybe its the realisation they have played for Norwich!

In all seriousness it is an eye opener.

[goldblum]

rudecherub said:

crazy about cars said:

A lot of top performing athletes are under constant pressure hence it's normal for them to be more susceptible to depression. I won't call depression a disease though as diseases are normally curable but depression isn't...it could be a life long thing.

What then if not a disease?

Okay it's not contagious, but like so many things there is a genetic disposition plus environmental factors.

Disease is fine for depression.

Depression is normally caused by some form of stress,in this case the stressor is the pressure to perform.

[turbolucie]

crazy about cars said:

diseases are normally curable but depression isn't...it could be a life long thing.

Diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, airways disease, psoriasis, arthritis... as just a few examples...a lot of diseases aren't curable.

[New POD]

crazy about cars said:

It's a very terrible affliction you won't even want to wish upon your worse nemesis...

I have met 2 people in my life through work, who 10 years apart treated me so appallingly badly when I was "a bit Low" that I contemplated how it would feel to drive into a concrete motorway bridge at speed. Luckily I didn't, but I would definitely wish depression on my worst nemesis (Not Worse)

[Zad]

I think it is about time professional football was dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century, never mind the 21st. That isn't going to happen while ever Sky are pumping billions into it though.

It doesn't help that people (usually the loud attention seeking types) are forever going on about "ooh I've got 'flu" or "ooh I'm really depressed". When they have a cold or are a bit down and in need of sympathy and attention.

To anyone who has had "proper" 'flu, you really know you have had it. It is nothing like a cold. The same with depression. It is nothing like being "a bit down". Not even times 1000. Just because it isn't possible to pin down depression to a specific virus or bacteria doesn't mean it isn't an illness.

It seems strange to me that people accept that relatively simple computer software (and firmware) can have bugs that aren't easily fixed, yet can't grasp that the human brain can be similarly imperfect.