ABSTRACT
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders may be more commonly found in athletic populations compared to the general population. Athletes may develop psychological and physiological adaptations that mask common symptoms of trauma related to their participation in sport, creating a diagnostic quandary for practitioners. This chapter details the complexity of diagnosing PTSD in the athletic population and provides practical guidance on identification, treatment, and systems-based interventions for athletes with trauma-related disorders. A multi-tiered approach to the management of trauma is outlined, including creating trauma-informed environments within athletic institutions, team-based interventions following known traumas, and emphasis on early recognition and treatment for symptomatic athletes from a biopsychosocial approach with evidence-based screening tools, psychotherapy, and medications where appropriate.
