7 Common Behaviors in Student-Athletes That Could Be Hidden Trauma Responses
Student-athletes often juggle the intense pressures of training, competitions, academics, and social lives, and sometimes these stresses manifest in behaviors that are often misunderstood. The reality is that some of these “awkward” actions could be trauma responses, not flaws or personality traits. Here’s how to recognize some of the behaviors student-athletes might display and why they may occur:
- Avoiding Eye Contact
When having conversations with coaches, teammates, or professors, you may find yourself avoiding eye contact or focusing on anything but the person you’re speaking with. This could be a trauma response rooted in past experiences where eye contact was seen as confrontational or uncomfortable. Many student-athletes, particularly those with complex backgrounds, may avoid eye contact to shield themselves from perceived judgment or pressure. - Over-Explaining Everything
Ever find yourself giving detailed explanations when simply asked a basic question? This could stem from a deep-rooted fear of being misunderstood or judged—common in athletes who have faced emotional invalidation during their earlier years, whether from coaches, family, or peers. It’s not about being overly polite; it’s often a way to make sure everything is clear to avoid being criticized. - Laughing When Things Are Uncomfortable
In high-pressure environments like sports, laughing in serious situations can be a nervous response. For student-athletes, this could happen when faced with challenging feedback from coaches or when talking about difficult personal issues. It’s the brain’s way of diffusing emotional discomfort, a mechanism that helps manage intense moments on and off the field. - Deflecting Compliments
When a teammate or coach congratulates you for a great performance, do you quickly deflect the praise? “It was the team effort,” or “I got lucky,” you might say. For some athletes, this behavior stems from a past environment where positive reinforcement wasn’t consistently available, or where being praised led to more pressure to perform. This is a defense mechanism to avoid feeling exposed or overwhelmed by expectations. - Freezing in Social Situations
You may find yourself hesitating or avoiding social events, even with people you enjoy spending time with. For many student-athletes, this could be a trauma response. If past social interactions have involved anxiety, rejection, or high expectations, the nervous system can shut down, leading to a freeze response when faced with new social challenges. - Over-Apologizing
Saying “sorry” when you’ve done nothing wrong can be an instinctive behavior for some athletes. This can be rooted in an environment where they were constantly told to apologize for existing or for taking up space. Over-apologizing is a survival tactic—a way to reduce potential conflict or discomfort, even if it’s unwarranted. - Avoiding Decisions
Whether it’s choosing where to go for dinner after a game or deciding what classes to take next semester, making decisions can feel overwhelming. For student-athletes who have been constantly scrutinized or whose decisions were often second-guessed, indecision can be a way to avoid making “wrong” choices and facing negative consequences.
Understanding these behaviors is key to improving self-awareness and mental health. For student-athletes, recognizing that some actions may be trauma responses can help them navigate their emotional health and find healthier ways to cope with stress and pressure. With the right support, these responses can be transformed into more empowering behaviors.