Star Athlete Shiffrin Describes Traumatic Incident of Lacking Command
Mikaela Shiffrin Reveals Struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Skiing Accident
Alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin has disclosed her battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a severe fall in Killington, Vermont, last November. In an article on The Players' Tribune, Shiffrin detailed her harrowing experience, describing a loss of control over her body and dark months riddled with setbacks.
After healing from her injuries, Shiffrin felt physically and mentally fit, but something was amiss. She openly discussed wrestling with negative thoughts, feelings of being in imminent danger, and uncertainly about her future. At times, she questioned whether she'd ever ski again. A therapist was the first to suspect that Shiffrin was suffering from PTSD.
Several factors contributed to Shiffrin's PTSD, including the traumatic nature of her injuries, the high-stakes environment of the event, self-criticism, disconnect between her mind and body, and previous traumatic experiences. The realization that skiing often puts athletes in close proximity to life-threatening situations compounded her anxiety.
The path to recovery involved professional support, self-compassion, exposure, and routine. Shiffrin worked with a psychologist and gradually returned to training and competition. Over time, her body began to obey her commands again. After her comeback, she celebrated her 100th and 101st World Cup victories and won gold in the team combination at the World Championships in Saalbach.
Shiffrin now acknowledges feeling like herself once more. Her openness about her PTSD has underscored the importance of mental health support for athletes and the reality of psychological recovery following physical trauma.
- Mikaela Shiffrin
- Alpine Skiing
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/09/sports/mikaela-shiffrin-post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html[2] https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-sports/55791088[3] https://www.si.com/winter-olympics/2022/02/20/mikaela-shiffrin-overcoming-physical-emotional-challenges-at-beijing-games[4] https://www.espn.com/olympics/2024/winter/story/_/id/34655314/mikaela-shiffrin-back-competition-8-months-killington-fall
- Mikaela Shiffrin, despite her physical recovery after the skiing accident in Killington, Vermont, found herself struggling with PTSD, especially dealing with negative thoughts, feelings of danger, and uncertainties about her future in both health-and-wellness and sports.
- The first step towards recovery for Mikaela Shiffrin was acknowledging her mental health concerns and seeking professional help, realizing that the demands of alpine skiing often intertwine with life-threatening situations, affecting not only her physical but also her mental health.
