What is Sports Psychology Performance Anxiety?

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Performance anxiety, sometimes known as competition anxiety or stage fright, can occur in a number of different situations, and to individuals in all walks of life. An individual suffering from performance anxiety will display symptoms similar to a panic attack experienced by those with a social phobia or social anxiety disorder. While some individuals who suffer from performance anxiety will also suffer from the larger issue of a social phobia or social anxiety disorder, this is not always the case—an individual can have a normal social life yet still suffer from performance anxiety. The primary effect performance anxiety has on an individual is the reduction of their performance in front of an audience. In extreme cases the individual may suffer total debilitation in front of an audience.

Sports Performance Anxiety

This condition is particularly harmful to the athlete since they are always required to perform at their peak level in front of an audience. An individual athlete may be at the top level of their particular sport during practice, but if they have that ability limited when they must perform in front of hundreds or even thousands of people, they will never reach their full potential. This is where sports psychology performance anxiety therapy comes in to help.

Techniques

The purpose of applying sports psychology anxiety therapy is to assist an individual to overcome their performance anxiety without the use of medication or drugs. Turning to drugs is a bitter reality for many who suffer from performance anxiety, but may not know about, or have access to, alternative therapy.

The overwhelming manifestation of performance anxiety in the form of a panic attack; in this case, the performance anxiety has caused an intense “fight or flight” response that can cause the heart rate and breathing to increase, the palms sweat, as well as other physical changes to the body.

Relaxation

One of the first techniques taught to the athlete suffering from performance anxiety is relaxation. Depending on the severity to which the athlete is suffering from performance anxiety, it may manifest anywhere from moments before a game or match, to several days prior. If an athlete is suffering for days before, it can severely hinder their performance by depriving them of sleep, and even nutrition, as many will find it is difficult to eat when they are suffering long bouts of performance anxiety. By learning relaxation techniques, the athlete can help overcome these feelings naturally.

Mind and Thought Redirection

Another technique applied to sports performance anxiety is the use of mind or thought redirection. It can sometimes be helpful to the athlete to “block out” the cause of their anxiety. In this technique of sports psychology performance analysis therapy, the athlete will be taught to block out the external stimuli (the audience or crowd) and refocus their mind on a situation where the performance anxiety does not manifest. For many athletes it works well to redirect their minds to practice sessions, particularly if they can perform well, and without the anxiety, in these situations.

Sports psychology can help the athlete overcome the stifling effects of performance anxiety without resorting to the use of drugs or other medications.