Triumphs Over Rehabilitation Thinking Traps

Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - Judo - Japan’s Shiho Tanaka in action with North Korean’s Songhui Mun during the Women’s 70Kg Final - Gold Medal Contest REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon.

Introduction

Clinicians and athletes may underestimate the psychological toll of sports injuries. When athletes are sidelined due to injury, they grapple with physical pain and a complex range of emotions^(1,2). The abrupt disruption of training routines, competition schedules, and identity can give rise to anxiety, depression, frustration, and self-doubt⁽³⁾. This is where recognizing and addressing thinking traps becomes apparent⁽¹⁾. Thinking traps, or cognitive distortions, are patterns of thought that lead individuals to perceive reality inaccurately, often magnifying the negative aspects of their situation⁽⁴⁾. In the context of injured athletes, thinking traps can exacerbate the already challenging recovery journey. 

Negative thinking can hinder motivation, disrupt goals, and erode an athlete’s belief in their ability to bounce back⁽⁵⁾. Within this article, we will navigate the mental landscape of injured athletes in recognizing and addressing thinking traps. Clinicians can play a role in understanding typical thinking traps that injured athletes engage in. In doing so, they can help raise awareness and educate them on how these negative thoughts may negatively impact rehabilitation outcomes. Further, clinicians may be better able to help individuals reframe these thinking traps to foster resilience and empowerment, and support their triumphant comebacks^(6,7).

What are thinking traps?

Thinking traps, also known as cognitive distortions, are common patterns of biased or irrational thinking that can lead individuals to perceive reality inaccurately⁽⁴⁾. These distorted thought patterns often emerge in times of stress, uncertainty, or adversity, making them particularly relevant in the context of injured athletes. Recognizing these thinking traps is crucial, as they can significantly impact an athlete’s psychological well-being, recovery process, and overall performance. For example, negative thoughts about the pain experienced during rehabilitation can affect the emotional response, such as fear of reinjury, which can then influence an athlete’s behavior, such as adherence to rehabilitation^(8,9).

There are several types of thinking traps that athletes may experience, which include catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, personalization, and emotional reasoning. These cognitive distortions are like invisible hurdles that can significantly impede individuals’ path to recovery. By identifying these thinking traps, clinicians can empower athletes to confront and reframe their thoughts.