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BOSTON — Former NFL players are grappling with a silent fear that’s affecting their lives long after they’ve left the field. A shocking new study reveals that one in three ex-players believe they’re living with a devastating brain condition – and this belief alone could be putting their lives at risk.
Researchers surveyed nearly 2,000 former NFL players and found that 35% think they have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This brain condition is linked to repeated head impacts – like the countless tackles and collisions football players endure throughout their careers.
Here’s the catch: CTE can only be diagnosed after death by examining the brain under a microscope. So, when these players say they believe they have CTE, it’s more of a suspicion based on their symptoms and experiences. This belief isn’t just a passing worry – it’s having real and potentially dangerous effects on their lives.
“As complex human beings, our beliefs can exert a strong impact on our health,” explains Dr. Ross Zafonte, one of the study’s researchers, in a media release.
In other words, what these players believe about their brains can seriously affect their well-being, even if they don’t actually have CTE.
The most alarming finding? About 25% of players who think they have CTE also noted having frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm. That’s five times higher than the rate among players who don’t believe they have the condition. It’s as if the fear of CTE itself is becoming a health risk.
Here’s where things get complicated. Many of the symptoms these players are experiencing – things like memory problems, mood swings, and headaches – could be caused by other treatable conditions. It’s like assuming you have a rare, incurable disease when you might just have the flu.
“While we wait for advances in CTE research to better address living players’ experiences, it is imperative that we identify conditions that are treatable. These efforts may reduce the chances that players will prematurely attribute symptoms to CTE which may lead to hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm,” says Dr. Rachel Grashow, the study’s lead author.
So, what are these other conditions that could be masquerading as CTE? They’re surprisingly common issues that many of us face:
- Sleep apnea, a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, can leave you feeling foggy and forgetful.
- Low testosterone can affect mood and cognitive function.
- High blood pressure can impact brain health over time.
- Chronic pain can interfere with concentration and memory.
The good news is that, unlike CTE, we know how to treat these conditions. It’s like discovering that what you thought was a broken leg is actually just a sprained ankle – still painful, but much more manageable.
“Until clinical guidelines and treatments for CTE become available, former players and their physicians should explore treatment interventions and positive health behavior changes that have been shown to improve cognitive function, overall health, and quality of life,” notes Dr. Aaron Baggish, another researcher on the team.
Dr. Baggish is talking about lifestyle changes that can boost brain health – things like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting better sleep, and eating a balanced diet. These might seem like small steps, but they can make a big difference in how your brain functions.
This study is a wake-up call, not just for former NFL players, but for anyone involved in contact sports. It shows that the fear of CTE is very real and can have serious consequences on mental health. But it also highlights the danger of assuming the worst without exploring all possibilities.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that you think might be related to past head injuries, don’t jump to conclusions. Talk to a doctor, get a thorough check-up, and explore all the options. There might be more hope than you think.
Paper Summary
Methodology
The researchers gathered information from over 4,000 former professional football players from 2017 to 2020 through surveys, asking them about their playing careers and health. The main focus was on whether players thought they had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head injuries. Players were also asked about mental health issues like depression and thoughts of suicide. The study looked at connections between players’ perceptions of CTE and their reported health problems, using statistical models to identify patterns.
Key Results
The study found that about one-third of the players believed they had CTE. These players were more likely to have other health issues, such as headaches, depression, and emotional outbursts. Significantly, players who thought they had CTE were five times more likely to report having thoughts of suicide than those who did not believe they had CTE. This suggests that the perception of having CTE can be linked to mental health struggles.
Study Limitations
First, the players self-reported their health conditions and CTE perception, which may not always be accurate. Second, because CTE can only be confirmed through autopsy, it’s unclear if the players who thought they had CTE actually had it. Lastly, the study participants may not represent all former football players, as some might not have responded due to their health or personal reasons.
Discussion & Takeaways
The study raises important questions about how former football players view their health after their careers. Many believe they have CTE, which is associated with mental health problems like depression and thoughts of suicide. However, it’s crucial not to automatically link these issues to CTE without a proper diagnosis. The findings emphasize the need for better mental health support for former athletes, as some symptoms might be treatable conditions unrelated to CTE.
Funding & Disclosures
This study was funded by the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and supported by various grants from institutions like the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center. Some researchers involved had affiliations or received funding from organizations related to sports health and brain injury research. These include grants from the NFL and involvement with companies developing health-related technologies. The funders did not influence the study’s design or findings.
