Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Post Tournament Depression (PTD)

For a few years now, I've noticed an emotional change in the days following a tournament. I've spoken to a few others who about it and they've noticed similar things. Usually, the Monday after a physically and mentally taxing tournament, I'll exhibit several (generally mild) symptoms of clinical depression. Now, I may be overly sensitive to the subject since I have a psychology degree and since I've suffered through bouts of clinical depression in my life (ironically, Ultimate has been the best cure for me). I am not suggesting that Ultimate in general, or tournaments in particular cause clinical depression. Rather I have experienced what I describe as "Post Tournament Depression (PTD)" which is a mild, short duration (2-3 days) form of depression.

Here are a few of the symptoms I've noticed:
  • lack of energy
  • sad or withdrawn
  • irritable
  • difficulty completing simple tasks
  • difficulty focusing
The severity of the symptoms has more to do with how difficult the weekend was physically, moreso than whether the weekend was a success or not. Even 'fun' tournaments can cause PTD if I have to play a lot.

I've failed to find any studies on physical exhaustion causing temporary depression, so perhaps it's all in my head. It makes sense to me though, that a physically draining event could cause a person to feel depressed for a few days, while the body recovers. I do not mean to ignore the mentally exhausting aspect of the problem. I do think that a mentally taxing tournament can increase PTD symptoms, but I think physical exhaustion is the main cause.

So, does anyone else notice symptoms of depression in the days following a tournament? Do you just wait it out or have you come up with a way to bring yourself out of it?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've definitely noticed this in myself, and also took to calling it post-tourney depression years ago (you can have full credit, though... PTD is a great tla). I've chalked it up to the culture shock of re-entering the real world after a full weekend of nothing but ultimate. You're probably right about a physical cause, but I think there has to be a mental component to it... even the most exhausting practices don't typically cause any symptoms.
As for how to cure it... an extra shot in the americano usually does the trick.

wood said...

I can certainly see how a variety of factors could influence how strongly PTD affects a person. I always felt there was, at least, a physiological basis to PTD, with other factors stacking on top. I do think Will's comment about grueling practices not causing PTD is an interesting one and I'm not sure how to reconcile it with my experiences. I don't recall having PTD after a tough practice weekend, but I can't be sure. I'll be sure to watch for it in the future.

As for how to combat PTD, I meant to discuss it in my post a little. I usually have food cravings after a tournament (generally greasy or salty) and I tend to think my body is telling me I need that kind of food. Maybe it's just an excuse to eat pizza though. Also, I suspect that a little exercise would help, even if that seems a bit counter-intuitive. I'm going to try and go for a run next time I'm experiencing PTD and see if that helps.

Edelman said...

i would say i've experienced mild forms of this, but i think it's more mental than physiological, and i hadn't started experiencing it until after college. i believe that it's basically your brain shifting from playing, competing, freeness, do-nothing-but-play-ultimate-ness to the back-to-work mindset. i always feel like i'd rather keep doing nothing but play ultimate after a tourney, and realizing that i have to wake up at 8 and perform at my job the next day is a bit, well, depressing.

so, i would call it more of a longing to be back with all your friends and teammates playing ultimate than a depression state, although one could possibly induce the other.

angela said...

'post-tournament depression' is totally something i've totally experienced and discussed with other ultimate players before. i think the mental aspect plays a big role for me... as an introvert, i think the mental (and physical) stimuli experienced over a tough weekend of ultimate (regardless of outcome, but usually worse if we didn't win or i made some critical mistakes) requires recovery and recharging time for me. the biochemical effects of consuming a bunch of depressants over the course of the weekend probably doesn't help. that and i start missing my friends and teammates. i guess i'll take note of my emotional state after nationals (since i won't actually be exerting physically) and compare to how i remember feeling in other years.

it seems like if i go to the gym or go on a short run to get my body moving, i feel somewhat better. and eating comfort foods like turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese... mmm.

Dani D said...

Yes, good topic.

I think that PTD is a loot like the depression that a lot of people experience when coming back from vacation.

At the last tournament I went to, I met a few hundred people and I was not bored for one second.

When I got back, everything seemed excidingly SLOW and BORING. The only thing that seemed worth doing was checking the calendar to see when the next tournament is going to be.

Solutions? Perhaps some exercise and doing one of the things that got postponed because of the tournament.

-d

Dani D said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
KQ said...

Here's something that doesn't help PTD: fall rec league.

Here's something that does help PTD: offseason team workouts. Daddy Dz BBQ afterwards doesn't necessarily hurt either. ;)

DISCO said...

The pressure. recently we have returned home from NSUT (National Students Ultimate Tournament; Finland) being bitten up in 4 games out of 5. We found ourselves in the "Death Pool" and I guess couldn't hanlde the pressure of knowing that we would not win. So after playing first round and being creamed in 3 games of 4, in the next round we could not pull it together and lost it all and as a result place 24 (of 32). How to handle the pressure of a "death pool"?
Thanks.
Yuri

Anonymous said...

Definitely..physical activities like ..swimming,playing,and other games is very important in the human body...so PTD is really great...

mouna
Dual Diagnosis


Dual Diagnosis

Unknown said...
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rinku said...

Nice Blog.....Good WOrk Keep up the good work....

Unknown said...

Terrific blog. I love UF!

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TheDellBingo said...

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TheDellBingo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I had never heard about Post Tournament Depression, but I think that players could do something relaxing after the game like having sex with his wife or visit Generic Viagra to be more than relax.

Ramesh said...

PTD is main depression factor. ativan is good drug for anxiety.

:) said...

I don't play a sport but I do often feel this way after a speech and debate tournament. With the pressure to do well from my coaches/myself combined with a day filled with anxiety and stress at literally every single second, when I don't do well, I often feel depressed and anxious (?) in the days following knowing I didn't perform my best.