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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >> But, half of those respondents also said they suffered from chronic pain, Schwenk said, and "this puts them at significant additional risk for depression."
Moreover, more than 50 percent of the ex-players had high scores for pain, depression or both.
The consequences of depression were seen in sleep problems, difficulty in getting help for depression and feeling isolated. Ex-players who reported moderate to severe depression were 11 times more likely to have trouble sleeping than those who weren't depressed or only mildly depressed.
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In addition, ex-players with moderate-to-severe depression were almost eight times more likely to report a loss of fitness and lack of exercise, and seven times more likely to report financial difficulties.
Those who were moderately to severely depressed were more likely to have problems getting social support or maintaining friendships. And, they had problems with the use of medication, alcohol or other drugs, and trouble with the transition to life after football, the study found.
Ex-players also reported barriers to getting help for depression, including a preference to rely on religion or family and friends, lack of insurance coverage, and feelings that these problems weren't important.
"There is also a stigma in seeking help for depression. Many ex-players said they would feel weak or embarrassed if they sought help," said Schwenk, the George A. Dean, M.D. chair and professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Health System and associate director of the University of Michigan Depression Center.
Schwenk thinks that NFL players need to start planning for these potential problems before they retire. "Most players don't have a plan of how to cope with life after football and how to seek help for their depression and chronic pain," he said.
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