Anxiety in Football

Ok, so I’m the first to admit that I don’t know much of anything about football. Hell, I typically don’t even know who is in the Super Bowl each year. But, with the recent headlines hitting the sports world, I couldn’t help but take notice.

Josh Gordon, who I’ve recently learned was the receiver for the New England Patriots, was again suspended for violating the NFL drug policy. Headlines portray and paint a picture of a young man, who is a disappointment; can’t be trusted, and has wasted an opportunity of a lifetime. What I see time and again is that Gordon is an addict, with a vague mention of “mental health concerns”.

So, not knowing anything about Josh Gordon, I decided to do a bit of my own research and discovered that this young man has been suffering from what sounds like an underlying anxiety disorder and possibly untreated trauma for many years. According to an article published in GQ in 2017, Gordon openly discussed feeling a “fear” and “anxiety” every day, and used Marijuana and Xanax to ease the “constant nerves…could function every day”. Gordon also explained that he experienced trauma growing up, which probably also contributed to his self-medicating in the first place.

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

Headlines highlight that Gordon is an “addict”, which he may very well be. However, what about all of the other “stuff”? I mean this guy reportedly has a history of trying unsuccessfully to manage what he described as daily “fear” and “constant nerves”. As an anxiety therapist, this screams an anxiety disorder.

From what I can tell from this whole situation, is that the National Football League, and subsequent other media outlets, is that they are giving the impression that it is more acceptable to be labeled as an “addict” or having a substance abuse problem, versus a “mental disorder”.

The NFL’s Underlying Message

They’re saying that it’s ok to have drug and alcohol issues, but heaven forbid, an anxiety disorder, possibly secondary to trauma? Further, what message does the NFL give to our society when one of its players beats the crap out of his girlfriend, with little to no recourse, yet when Gordon reportedly self-medicates to calm his unrelenting anxiety and other demons, he is indefinitely suspended?

I’m totally not saying that Gordon should have a free pass.

Again, let me be clear- his behavior should not be enabled or condoned, and there should be consequences. I just can’t help but wonder what type of society we live in where having a mental health issue is considered “worse” than having an addiction or being a perpetrator of physical abuse? Really???

I want to make something really, really, clear.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in our country, yet only a small percentage of those people ever get treatment. Another interesting fact- if you suffer from an undiagnosed/untreated anxiety disorder (or any other mental health issue for that matter), you are more likely to engage in substance abuse.

Hmmm…. Sound familiar?

But hey, let’s skim over the idea that Josh Gordon most likely has an anxiety disorder and embrace the notion that he’s an addict. That’s much more socially acceptable?!?

Find help for anxiety.

As an anxiety and relationship therapist, I provide therapy online in Harrisburg, York, Lebanon, Philadelphia, and Lancaster, PA. My specialties include using DBT for Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety counseling, and therapy for trauma.

If you are experiencing overwhelming fear, stress, constantly feeling on edge, and looking for ways to “calm your nerves”, I can help. You can learn to manage your anxiety and stress in healthy ways. Give me a call at 717-685-5074 or click here to book your own free consultation for anxiety therapy.