Mental Health in Paralympic Athletes

Abstract

Paralympic athletes face the same challenges as do all other athletes in terms of their mental health. Far less is known about mental health symptoms and disorders in Paralympic athletes than in other athletes, for a range of reasons. This chapter provides an introduction to the key issues in considering mental health symptoms and disorders in this group. Questions of stigma, stereotyping, and social exclusion are important to consider, along with common histories of trauma, issues of pain, the cost and accessibility of assistive devices, and the strains associated with classification changes and developments. This is an area in urgent need of further research.