Depression In Boxing - Boxing Monthly article

[veriton]

Naturally, it's all about perspective. The big danger in life is looking at things purely through your own. That's why I mentioned being involved with people tackling adversity in its many shapes and forms. We can all draw inspiration from that, depressed or not.

I'd hesitate to suggest pills and potions are the way out. Get involved with something that helps others. As humans our natural leaning is to care and protect those in need and sometimes we get separated from that in society. Love and respect are out there, and its easy to volunteer for organisations where you will find plenty.

I guess its all about breaking a vicious downward spiral and perhaps that would be a good starting point.

[mickey1975]

Naturally, it's all about perspective. The big danger in life is looking at things purely through your own. That's why I mentioned being involved with people tackling adversity in its many shapes and forms. We can all draw inspiration from that, depressed or not.

I'd hesitate to suggest pills and potions are the way out. Get involved with something that helps others. As humans our natural leaning is to care and protect those in need and sometimes we get separated from that in society. Love and respect are out there, and its easy to volunteer for organisations where you will find plenty.

I guess its all about breaking a vicious downward spiral and perhaps that would be a good starting point.

You would make the worlds worst cpn.

[Arniesgym]

Feel depressed? Get on a plane to the Philippines and visit the place where the typhoon hit. Closer to home, how about some voluntary work with the disabled or those on skid row?

Sometimes I think that the prevalence of depression in the UK is partly caused by this over amplification of the importance of ME. That feeling that everyone is special and should have some skill to contribute to the world. The 24/7 TV cycle that constantly promotes personalities (often vacuous) as the gold standard. Not a shameless extrovert? Sorry, no place for you in here son.

The reality of life is different, of course. Being happy with what you have, rather than chasing things you haven't got, is the root to happiness. Forget the drugs and diagnosis from quacks, go for a walk in the countryside. Don't separate yourself, join in. There is always room to contribute.

In the scheme of things we are all insignificant, we are here and gone in the blink of an eye. Accept that and do the best you can in the short time you have.

Brilliant

[veriton]

probably would. to be a good one Id just prescribe some drugs, classify the person as ADHD or some other gubbins and consign them to a life on disability benefits convinced that they are ill just cos a govt form says there are.

[banjo]

Whenever I feel down and worthless I cane the bike over the mountain(no speed limit up there), it makes me feel alive and I always feel better for it afterwards, not suggesting everyone can do that obviously but it's weird how certain things can jolt you out of a rut.

[stevedoc]

Feel depressed? Get on a plane to the Philippines and visit the place where the typhoon hit. Closer to home, how about some voluntary work with the disabled or those on skid row?

Sometimes I think that the prevalence of depression in the UK is partly caused by this over amplification of the importance of ME. That feeling that everyone is special and should have some skill to contribute to the world. The 24/7 TV cycle that constantly promotes personalities (often vacuous) as the gold standard. Not a shameless extrovert? Sorry, no place for you in here son.

The reality of life is different, of course. Being happy with what you have, rather than chasing things you haven't got, is the root to happiness. Forget the drugs and diagnosis from quacks, go for a walk in the countryside. Don't separate yourself, join in. There is always room to contribute.

In the scheme of things we are all insignificant, we are here and gone in the blink of an eye. Accept that and do the best you can in the short time you have.

i think you're completely wrong in what you say ....... i understand what you are saying that people get depressed because they don't have what they want in this materialistic world and may be for some that is true but for boxers i think it's completely different .
boxer's suffer more than most because of the high standard they set for them self which in reality will never be achieved ,not many boxer go on to win anything so for many they feel like a failure plus it can be a lonely lifestyle unlike team sports . plus once it's over there is a massive void left with nothing to fill it . it's easy to start to drink and take drugs as many boxers come from that background and it's all they know it was just off limits while they boxed but once their stop fighting there's no reason not to do it.

[palooka]

Feel depressed? Get on a plane to the Philippines and visit the place where the typhoon hit. Closer to home, how about some voluntary work with the disabled or those on skid row?

Sometimes I think that the prevalence of depression in the UK is partly caused by this over amplification of the importance of ME. That feeling that everyone is special and should have some skill to contribute to the world. The 24/7 TV cycle that constantly promotes personalities (often vacuous) as the gold standard. Not a shameless extrovert? Sorry, no place for you in here son.

The reality of life is different, of course. Being happy with what you have, rather than chasing things you haven't got, is the root to happiness. Forget the drugs and diagnosis from quacks, go for a walk in the countryside. Don't separate yourself, join in. There is always room to contribute.

In the scheme of things we are all insignificant, we are here and gone in the blink of an eye. Accept that and do the best you can in the short time you have.

i think you're completely wrong in what you say ....... i understand what you are saying that people get depressed because they don't have what they want in this materialistic world and may be for some that is true but for boxers i think it's completely different .
boxer's suffer more than most because of the high standard they set for them self which in reality will never be achieved ,not many boxer go on to win anything so for many they feel like a failure plus it can be a lonely lifestyle unlike team sports . plus once it's over there is a massive void left with nothing to fill it . it's easy to start to drink and take drugs as many boxers come from that background and it's all they know it was just off limits while they boxed but once their stop fighting there's no reason not to do it.

You've a point there Steve and it has to be considered that there are many boxers who are from disfunctional families where violence and unhappiness is the norm; though there are many well adjusted boxers there are plenty who have had a rough deal and use the sport as an outlet for aggression and anger. Those boxers can have problems with drink and drugs and struggle to maintain their emotions; being a boxer is seen as a positive thing in many towns and when that stops where does the anger go?

I do know a few ex boxers and some are mild mannered and some are damaged, and have been since childhood; it is no great surprise that people involved can face emotional and cognitive issues.

[stevedoc]

Feel depressed? Get on a plane to the Philippines and visit the place where the typhoon hit. Closer to home, how about some voluntary work with the disabled or those on skid row?

Sometimes I think that the prevalence of depression in the UK is partly caused by this over amplification of the importance of ME. That feeling that everyone is special and should have some skill to contribute to the world. The 24/7 TV cycle that constantly promotes personalities (often vacuous) as the gold standard. Not a shameless extrovert? Sorry, no place for you in here son.

The reality of life is different, of course. Being happy with what you have, rather than chasing things you haven't got, is the root to happiness. Forget the drugs and diagnosis from quacks, go for a walk in the countryside. Don't separate yourself, join in. There is always room to contribute.

In the scheme of things we are all insignificant, we are here and gone in the blink of an eye. Accept that and do the best you can in the short time you have.

i think you're completely wrong in what you say ....... i understand what you are saying that people get depressed because they don't have what they want in this materialistic world and may be for some that is true but for boxers i think it's completely different .
boxer's suffer more than most because of the high standard they set for them self which in reality will never be achieved ,not many boxer go on to win anything so for many they feel like a failure plus it can be a lonely lifestyle unlike team sports . plus once it's over there is a massive void left with nothing to fill it . it's easy to start to drink and take drugs as many boxers come from that background and it's all they know it was just off limits while they boxed but once their stop fighting there's no reason not to do it.

You've a point there Steve and it has to be considered that there are many boxers who are from disfunctional families where violence and unhappiness is the norm; though there are many well adjusted boxers there are plenty who have had a rough deal and use the sport as an outlet for aggression and anger. Those boxers can have problems with drink and drugs and struggle to maintain their emotions; being a boxer is seen as a positive thing in many towns and when that stops where does the anger go?

I do know a few ex boxers and some are mild mannered and some are damaged, and have been since childhood; it is no great surprise that people involved can face emotional and cognitive issues.

my brother was a pro and completely tee total while he boxed and he hated people who drank ,,then when he hung up his gloves he started to go to the pub on a friday night and he said he had a social life for the first time since he was 14 and in many ways he relived his youth which he spent in the gym . after about 12 months he went back to old boring self ...but he said he can see why some ex fighters go off the rails a bit

[Wrists]

I think part of the problem can be that we all realise that our problems are insignificant compared to what is going on elsewhere in the world - you know this is, but its not simply a case of being able to compare yourself how lucky you are.

if it was a mindset thing then this illness would have been cracked years ago.

Again I repeat I think its brilliant that this issue is provoking debate, its the only way to keep it out there.

Depression (especially amongst men) is still woefully misunderstood and mis represented.

[keithmoonhangover]

My question is this...........

Should boxer's have to be 'mentally fit' to get a licence? What I mean by that is, if a guy has some pretty serious mental health issues, is it really in his best interests to be in a boxing ring?

[palooka]

Feeling depressed can be a very rational response to being in a depressing situation; if you were in a bad spot in life and didn't feel depressed then you'd not be realistic.

Many people feel depressed not only because they are upset that they cannot afford everything they want; they worry for their families future and the opportunities that are likely to be around for them, men are supposed to be the bread winners and providers for their families and when they can only provide the minimum then it's understandable that they feel low, add to that job insecurity, increases in bills, food, water, everything really and the sense that the UK is not going to get much better for a long , long time (if ever) it's a wonder we're not all at the doctors.

Looking to others and recognising that are in a far worse state is a good mental exercise to feel better about your lot and then when you consider that an awful lot of the ills and aweful circumstances in peoples lives are man made and could be improved makes you feel depressed all over again.

[Wrists]

If an article about depression specifically linked to Boxing then provokes a debate about the wider issue then all good IMO

Well done Terence

[veriton]

Feel depressed? Get on a plane to the Philippines and visit the place where the typhoon hit. Closer to home, how about some voluntary work with the disabled or those on skid row?

Sometimes I think that the prevalence of depression in the UK is partly caused by this over amplification of the importance of ME. That feeling that everyone is special and should have some skill to contribute to the world. The 24/7 TV cycle that constantly promotes personalities (often vacuous) as the gold standard. Not a shameless extrovert? Sorry, no place for you in here son.

The reality of life is different, of course. Being happy with what you have, rather than chasing things you haven't got, is the root to happiness. Forget the drugs and diagnosis from quacks, go for a walk in the countryside. Don't separate yourself, join in. There is always room to contribute.

In the scheme of things we are all insignificant, we are here and gone in the blink of an eye. Accept that and do the best you can in the short time you have.

i think you're completely wrong in what you say ....... i understand what you are saying that people get depressed because they don't have what they want in this materialistic world and may be for some that is true but for boxers i think it's completely different .
boxer's suffer more than most because of the high standard they set for them self which in reality will never be achieved ,not many boxer go on to win anything so for many they feel like a failure plus it can be a lonely lifestyle unlike team sports . plus once it's over there is a massive void left with nothing to fill it . it's easy to start to drink and take drugs as many boxers come from that background and it's all they know it was just off limits while they boxed but once their stop fighting there's no reason not to do it.

boxing is violence, it's conflict and people who are drawn to it have a deep desire to challenge something in a physical way. I've boxed myself and I did it to test myself, to see what I could do. But it's not a normal expression. Most people don't fight, they don't accept pain and punishment as a morally acceptable way to deal with those feelings. In that respect boxers are different, but does boxing fk people up or do fkd up people get involved in boxing? I don't know the answer but it's not as clear cut as you make out.

As for a lonely life, many people have these. And the massive void you describe is something many people confront without ever experiencing any highs at all. Fighting can bring peace (did to me) as can a lot of other things. If boxing can't help you get out of a black hole then try something else.

[palooka]

Feel depressed? Get on a plane to the Philippines and visit the place where the typhoon hit. Closer to home, how about some voluntary work with the disabled or those on skid row?

Sometimes I think that the prevalence of depression in the UK is partly caused by this over amplification of the importance of ME. That feeling that everyone is special and should have some skill to contribute to the world. The 24/7 TV cycle that constantly promotes personalities (often vacuous) as the gold standard. Not a shameless extrovert? Sorry, no place for you in here son.

The reality of life is different, of course. Being happy with what you have, rather than chasing things you haven't got, is the root to happiness. Forget the drugs and diagnosis from quacks, go for a walk in the countryside. Don't separate yourself, join in. There is always room to contribute.

In the scheme of things we are all insignificant, we are here and gone in the blink of an eye. Accept that and do the best you can in the short time you have.

i think you're completely wrong in what you say ....... i understand what you are saying that people get depressed because they don't have what they want in this materialistic world and may be for some that is true but for boxers i think it's completely different .
boxer's suffer more than most because of the high standard they set for them self which in reality will never be achieved ,not many boxer go on to win anything so for many they feel like a failure plus it can be a lonely lifestyle unlike team sports . plus once it's over there is a massive void left with nothing to fill it . it's easy to start to drink and take drugs as many boxers come from that background and it's all they know it was just off limits while they boxed but once their stop fighting there's no reason not to do it.

boxing is violence, it's conflict and people who are drawn to it have a deep desire to challenge something in a physical way. I've boxed myself and I did it to test myself, to see what I could do. But it's not a normal expression. Most people don't fight, they don't accept pain and punishment as a morally acceptable way to deal with those feelings. In that respect boxers are different, but does boxing fk people up or do fkd up people get involved in boxing? I don't know the answer but it's not as clear cut as you make out.

As for a lonely life, many people have these. And the massive void you describe is something many people confront without ever experiencing any highs at all. Fighting can bring peace (did to me) as can a lot of other things. If boxing can't help you get out of a black hole then try something else.

It is not clear cut and though I enjoy the sport and admire many boxers I understand that, basically, it is people who enjoy a confrontation and a fight, and who are good at it, that stay in the sport. Generally people that enjoy a fight are nutters, those that are good at it are scary nutters.

[lefty]

Feel depressed? Get on a plane to the Philippines and visit the place where the typhoon hit. Closer to home, how about some voluntary work with the disabled or those on skid row?

Sometimes I think that the prevalence of depression in the UK is partly caused by this over amplification of the importance of ME. That feeling that everyone is special and should have some skill to contribute to the world. The 24/7 TV cycle that constantly promotes personalities (often vacuous) as the gold standard. Not a shameless extrovert? Sorry, no place for you in here son.

The reality of life is different, of course. Being happy with what you have, rather than chasing things you haven't got, is the root to happiness. Forget the drugs and diagnosis from quacks, go for a walk in the countryside. Don't separate yourself, join in. There is always room to contribute.

In the scheme of things we are all insignificant, we are here and gone in the blink of an eye. Accept that and do the best you can in the short time you have.

i think you're completely wrong in what you say ....... i understand what you are saying that people get depressed because they don't have what they want in this materialistic world and may be for some that is true but for boxers i think it's completely different .
boxer's suffer more than most because of the high standard they set for them self which in reality will never be achieved ,not many boxer go on to win anything so for many they feel like a failure plus it can be a lonely lifestyle unlike team sports . plus once it's over there is a massive void left with nothing to fill it . it's easy to start to drink and take drugs as many boxers come from that background and it's all they know it was just off limits while they boxed but once their stop fighting there's no reason not to do it.

boxing is violence, it's conflict and people who are drawn to it have a deep desire to challenge something in a physical way. I've boxed myself and I did it to test myself, to see what I could do. But it's not a normal expression. Most people don't fight, they don't accept pain and punishment as a morally acceptable way to deal with those feelings. In that respect boxers are different, but does boxing fk people up or do fkd up people get involved in boxing? I don't know the answer but it's not as clear cut as you make out.

As for a lonely life, many people have these. And the massive void you describe is something many people confront without ever experiencing any highs at all. Fighting can bring peace (did to me) as can a lot of other things. If boxing can't help you get out of a black hole then try something else.

It is not clear cut and though I enjoy the sport and admire many boxers I understand that, basically, it is people who enjoy a confrontation and a fight, and who are good at it, that stay in the sport. Generally people that enjoy a fight are nutters, those that are good at it are scary nutters.[/quote]

I agree in most cases but you do get some who are very good who arent the stereotypical fighter types ie the Klitschko's etc. Particularily Wladimir.

[palooka]

Oh, there are exceptions though I'd assert that many boxers, successful or not, come from unhappy and violent families and have some emotional damage; the personal expression through the sport - the acceptance and giving of pain may give some relief; when participation in the sport is over the problems would then manifest I'd imagine.

[lefty]

Oh, there are exceptions though I'd assert that many boxers, successful or not, come from unhappy and violent families and have some emotional damage; the personal expression through the sport - the acceptance and giving of pain may give some relief; when participation in the sport is over the problems would then manifest I'd imagine.

Yeah I suppose generally speaking you have to be a bit mad to want to get punched in the head for a living lol.

[lefty]

Alluding to what Keith said some posts up, are there strict mental health checks when it comes to being an issued a licence? Surely there should be if there isnt.

[Eddy]

Whenever I feel down and worthless I cane the bike over the mountain(no speed limit up there), it makes me feel alive and I always feel better for it afterwards, not suggesting everyone can do that obviously but it's weird how certain things can jolt you out of a rut.

100% Agree

It's hard to get off your backside and do anything esp with a dark mood, but when I bang out a run or go to the gym finishing up in the steam room - I'm absolutley buzzing after. Best feeling!