Star Athlete Shiffrin Discusses Overwhelming Lack of Command
Mikaela Shiffrin, renowned alpine skiing champion, has opened up about a harrowing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a severe fall in November 2021. The collapse left Shiffrin with physical injuries that sidelined her for several months, but it was the psychological impact that lingered.
After partial recovery, Shiffrin did not feel like her usual self. Dark thoughts and feelings of danger plagued her. "That was definitely scary," she admitted, questioningly pondering her future and occasionally contemplating giving up skiing. It was her therapist who first suspected PTSD.
Shiffrin's trauma extended beyond the Killington incident. Prior to this, she had experienced a severe fall in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2024, the sudden death of her father in 2020, and her fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde's serious crash in Wengen in January 2024. The accumulated stress may have contributed to her PTSD.
However, Shiffrin refused to let the condition control her. She continued training, reminding herself that accidents do not always happen and that most of the time, things are okay. Gradually, her body began to listen to her again. Shiffrin returned to the slopes and celebrated her 100th and 101st World Cup wins after her comeback, also winning gold in the team event at the World Championships in Saalbach. Now, she feels like herself again.
According to experts, PTSD in athletes, though less frequently discussed, is a significant concern, particularly following severe injury, accidents, or emotionally traumatic experiences. Symptoms include intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative changes in mood and cognition, hyperarousal, and emotional suppression. The recovery process involves professional counseling, holistic rehabilitation, peer and team support, mental skills training, and return-to-play protocols.
Shiffrin's journey highlights the importance of mental health support and a holistic approach to recovery. Despite not being publicly diagnosed with PTSD, her experiences underscore the psychological challenges that athletes may face after trauma. Her resilience, supported by professional and personal networks, serves as an inspiring example of how athletes can navigate and recover from trauma.
Sources: ntv.de, sue/sid
I'm not going to be able to do this, I thought, as I grappled with the aftermath of my trauma in the realm of health-and-wellness, specifically mental-health. This struggle wasn't just about my sports career; it was about surviving and finding balance in life after severe falls and emotionally traumatic experiences.
