Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
Shocking CTE Fears: NFL Veterans Face Mental Health Crisis
(upbeat music) - Welcome to "Listen To." This is Ted. The news was published on Sunday, September 29th. Joining us today are Eric and Kate to discuss a recent study about former professional football players and their beliefs about CTE. Today we're discussing a recent study about former professional football players and their beliefs about CTE. Let's start with the basics. Eric, what is CTE and why is it significant in the context of football? - Well, Ted, CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. It's a nasty little brain disease that's linked to getting your noggin knocked around repeatedly. In the world of football, players are at high risk because let's face it, they're basically human battering rams out there on the field. We're talking about guys slamming into each other at full speed, play after play. It's like their brains are getting a roller coaster ride without the fun part. - Well, that's true. It's important to note that CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death through a brain autopsy. We shouldn't jump to the ground. - Hold your horses there, Kate. I was just getting to that. You're right, but let's not forget that even though we can't diagnose it in living players, the symptoms. - But that's exactly my point, Eric. We can't just brush off the concerns of living players because we can't slap a definitive label on it. These are. - All right. Let's take a step back here. You both make valid points. Kate, the study surveyed 4,000 former players. What were the key findings? - Thanks, Ted. The study zeroed in on 1,980 participants and found that a whopping 34% believe they had CTE based on their symptoms. That's one in three players, folks. It's like walking into a locker room and playing eenie, meenie, mini, mo with CTE. This isn't just a drop in the bucket. It's a tidal wave of concern among former players. - Now, hang on a second. We need to be careful about self-diagnosis here. Just because players believe they have CTE doesn't mean they actually do, there could be a whole-- - Oh, come on, Eric. We can't just dismiss their concerns like that. The study showed that those who believed they had CTE reported higher rates of depression and cognitive impairment. These guys aren't just making this up. - I'm not saying they're making it up, Kate. But correlation doesn't equal causation. These symptoms could be due to other factors like aging or lifestyle choices. We can't just assume-- - Let's talk about the most alarming finding. Eric, what did the study reveal about suicidality? - Right, Ted. This is where things get really serious. The study found that 25% of those who believed they had CTE reported suicidal thoughts. That's one in four players. To put that in perspective, it's like having a whole offensive line and one of them is considering taking their own life on the flip side. Only 5% of those who didn't think they had CTE reported these thoughts. It's a stark difference that we can't ignore. - This is exactly why we need to take this so seriously. It's not just about headaches or memory loss. We're talking about lives at stake here. These players are struggling with severe psychological impacts. It's like they're carrying an invisible weight that's crushing them from the inside. We need to step up and provide real support. Not just pat them on the back and tell them to shake it off. - Look, I agree we need support, but we also need to be cautious about reinforcing potentially false beliefs. This could lead to unnecessary fear and anxiety. It's like telling someone they might have a deadly disease when they've got a common cold. We could be causing more harm than good if we're not careful with how we approach this. - Let's put this in historical context. Kate, can you think of a similar situation where a health concern among athletes caused widespread alarm? - Absolutely, Ted. This whole situation reminds me of the punch-drunk syndrome observed in boxers back in the 1920s. It's like déjà vu, but with footballs instead of boxing gloves. Dr. Harrison Martlin first described it in 1928, noting neurological symptoms in boxers who had taken repeated blows to the head. It's crazy to think that almost a century later, we're still grappling with similar issues in sports. - While there are similarities, it's important to note that the understanding of brain injuries was much more limited back then. We've come a long way in our knowledge. - True, but the parallels are striking. Both situations involve athletes in contact sports experiencing neurological symptoms after their careers. It shows we haven't solved this problem in nearly a century. - That's an oversimplification, Kate. We've made significant strides in equipment, rules, and medical care. The situations are not directly comparable. We can't just lump them to care. - Interesting comparison. Eric, how do you think the response to CTE concerns differs from the punch-drunk syndrome era? - Well, Ted, it's like comparing a horse-drawn carriage to a Tesla. Today, we have much more advanced research methods and a better understanding of brain function. We're not just scratching our heads and saying, gee, these guys seem a bit loopy. We've got brain scans, cognitive tests, and a whole arsenal of tools to study this. Plus, we're way more proactive in implementing safety measures. It's not perfect, but it's light years ahead of where we were in the 1920s. - But are we really doing enough? The fact that 34% of former players in this study believe they have CTE suggests we're still falling short. It's like we've upgraded from a bucket to-- - That number reflects perception, not reality, Kate. We need to focus on education and addressing treatable conditions rather than fueling fears about an undiagnosable condition. It's like telling everyone-- - Education is important, but we can't dismiss the very real concerns and symptoms these players are experiencing. Their fears are valid. These aren't just numbers on a page. They're real people-- - Valid concerns, yes. But we need to approach this scientifically, not emotionally. Jumping to conclusions about CTE could lead to overlooking other treatable issues. We can't let fear cloud our job-- - Looking to the future. - How do you think this situation will unfold? Eric, what's your prediction? - I believe we'll see a shift towards more comprehensive health management for former players. It'll be like having a pit crew for your brain and body. We're talking better screening for various health issues, not just focusing on CTE. We might see regular checkups, cognitive assessments, and personalized health plans. It's about catching problems early and addressing them head-on, whether it's CTE related or not. - That's not enough, Eric. I predict we'll see a major overhaul of football rules and equipment to drastically reduce head impacts. The sport might become unrecognizable, but player safety should be the priority. - Such drastic changes could kill the sport, Kate. We need a balanced approach that improves safety without fundamentally altering the game. Football isn't just a sport. It's a cultural institution. The game isn't worth preserving if it's destroying players' brains. We need to prioritize human lives over entertainment. If that means changing the game, so be it. We can't keep satisfying. - Interesting perspectives. Kate, how do you think this will affect youth football participation? - I believe we'll see a significant decline in youth football participation as parents become more aware of the risks. It's going to be like watching Domino's fall. Parents are going to think twice before letting their kids strap on a helmet. This could lead to a talent shortage in the professional leagues. We might see a future where top athletes choose other sports, leaving football struggling to fill its ranks. - That's an alarmist view, Kate. With improved safety measures and education, parents can make informed decisions. Football also provides many benefits like teamwork and physical fitness. It's not just about the risks. It's about balancing them with the rewards. We're talking about a sport that teaches discipline, strategy and perseverance. These are life skills that go way beyond the field. - Those benefits don't outweigh the risk of lifelong brain damage. We'll see a shift towards safer sports for youth athletes. Parents aren't going to gamble with their kids' futures. - You're ignoring the improvements being made. Kate, proper technique and better equipment can significantly reduce risks. We shouldn't deprive kids of the opportunity to play. It's not about throwing caution to the win. - It's not about depriving kids. It's about protecting them. - The long-term consequences are too severe to ignore. We're talking about potential life-altering injuries here. No touchdowns. - But we need to base our decisions on facts, not fear. Overreacting could have unintended negative consequences for youth development and health. We can't let panic drive our choices. We need to be smart. - Well, folks, it's clear this debate is far from over. The future of football and player safety remains a complex and contentious issue. Thanks to Eric and Kate for sharing their insights today. Remember to stay informed and keep the conversation going. This is Ted, signing off from Listen2.