MWe forget the importance athletes have on their mental health. However, this is an important part not only of athletes, but also of individual performance in everyday life. Recently, the case of Barcelona footballer Ronald Araujo, who chose to take a break from action in order to recover mentally, made headlines. After his return, he gave an interview to Mundo Deportivo and stated that he suffered from anxiety and suffered from depression. But how common is it to move from one mental health problem to another? The reality is that it’s very easy to suffer from both at the same time or sequentially.
Lamine Yamal’s amazing goal for FC Barcelona recreated in a popular video game
How does this transition occur?
The transition from anxiety to depression occurs when chronic physical and emotional agitation from constant worry and stress leads to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and loss of interest, also known as anhedonia.
This evolution is not strange, but common, as both mental health issues influence each other. Constant anxiety drains energy, and depression increases anxiety. Furthermore, when anxiety persists, the body is constantly on alert, making it more likely to suffer from chronic fatigue and burnout.
Out of nowhere, the person begins to feel a constant sense of hopelessness, thinks that the situation will not get better, and gets stuck in a negative loop. This is why there is a desire to isolate oneself and avoid contact with others and activities that were previously enjoyed. As mentioned by top doctors, this is why depression and anxiety often coexist.
Measures to prevent this step
Usually, the ideal thing is to seek professional help the moment you start to feel this happening to you. In fact, it is mainly important to avoid becoming chronic.
Change lies in the activation of behavior. This consists of performing small everyday actions, even if you don’t have the desire or motivation to do so. As Vall d’Hebron Hospital points out, it is also important to practice self-care by sleeping better, eating well, exercising and being active in your daily life.
If the above characteristics match the way your loved one behaves and feels, we recommend that you encourage them to seek help or contact a professional so that the situation improves and you do not get stuck in a negative loop that is continuous and destructive to your physical and mental health.
