Atrium Health is proud to serve as The Health Care Provider of more than 100 schools, offering expert Team Doctors and Athletic Trainers for your school in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, and Lincoln counties and Fort Mill School District.
Our mission is to keep your student-athlete and our community healthy, safe and injury-free. Each month, we will be spotlighting some of our dedicated Team Doctors and Athletic Trainers and share tips and exciting news in the world of sports medicine and high school athletics.
In today’s highly competitive sports environment, student-athletes often face intense mental and emotional challenges that go beyond the playing field. Balancing academics, athletic performance and social pressures can create a perfect storm of stress and anxiety.
Dr. Eddie O'Connor, Chief Sports Psychologist at Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, is a leading expert in sports psychology. He sat down with us to discuss common mental health issues athletes encounter, including anxiety, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and more. He also shared valuable insights on how parents can better support their young athletes through empathy, understanding and constructive communication.
Dr. O’Connor’s approach focuses on normalizing emotional responses and teaching athletes how to navigate mental challenges with resilience. He believes that managing emotions effectively is just as important as physical training when striving for peak performance.
Understanding Anxiety and Reframing Its Role
Dr. O’Connor emphasizes that anxiety is a natural, even necessary, part of life, especially for student-athletes.
"We should reframe anxiety — not as something to eliminate, but as a signal that our minds are alerting us to something important," he explains.
Athletes often face real threats, from losing playing time to disappointing teammates or parents. Denying these challenges only intensifies the pressure.
"Kids are justified in what they’re feeling," Dr. O’Connor states. "The issue isn’t the anxiety itself but how we respond to it. We need to learn how to perform with anxiety, not despite it. Anxiety becomes manageable when we accept it as a normal response and shift our focus from trying to eliminate it to understanding its purpose. By acknowledging these emotions, athletes can use their anxiety as a source of energy and motivation to prepare, train and improve."
Imposter Syndrome and Managing Self-Doubt
Imposter syndrome — feeling unworthy despite achievements — is common among athletes. Dr. O’Connor teaches athletes to challenge negative self-talk and redirect those thoughts into motivation.
"We all have an automatic inner voice that warns us of danger," he says. "We can’t shut it off, but we can choose how we respond. If that voice fuels your drive, use it. If it distracts you, let it go."
He further explains that imposter syndrome often stems from comparisons and self-imposed expectations.
"Our mind is designed to worry about what we care about," Dr. O’Connor notes. "Athletes can reframe those thoughts as signals that they care deeply about their performance."
By learning to question the validity of negative thoughts and choosing constructive responses, he says athletes can transform doubt into determination.
Perfectionism: A Double-Edged Sword
Perfectionism can motivate athletes to excel but often leads to harsh self-criticism. Dr. O’Connor says we need to reframe perfectionism.
"Mistakes aren’t okay, and they are inevitable. The key is learning from every mistake and striving for constant improvement."
This approach helps athletes maintain a growth mindset while embracing high standards.
"True perfectionism isn’t about never making mistakes," he clarifies. "It’s about responding to mistakes productively, using each setback as a stepping stone toward improvement."
Athletes who adopt this mindset become what he calls "perfect perfectionists" — those who relentlessly pursue excellence while maintaining self-compassion and resilience.
Advice for Parents
Parents play a crucial role in their children's mental health.
"Don’t try to fix your child’s anxiety. Sit with them, validate their feelings, and ask, ‘What do you want to do about it?’” Dr. O’Connor advises.
Encouraging preparation and effort can transform anxiety from an obstacle into a tool for growth. He encourages parents to shift the focus from results to effort.
"Help your child see anxiety as a signal to prepare and practice more," he suggests. "If they feel unready, guide them in creating a plan to improve their skills. This teaches them to take ownership of their performance and feel more in control."
Avoiding Common Parenting Pitfalls
Dr. O’Connor highlights three common complaints from young athletes: the dreaded car ride home, coaching from the sidelines, and yelling at referees. He urges parents to create safe emotional spaces, celebrate effort rather than results and model good sportsmanship.
"Tell your kids, ‘I love watching you play,’ regardless of the outcome," he recommends. "This communicates unconditional support and helps reduce performance anxiety driven by fear of disappointing parents."
Additionally, he warns against giving unsolicited advice right after games.
"The car ride home should be a place for decompression, not evaluation," he stresses. "Let your child process the game on their terms, and ask if or when they’d like to talk about it."
By embracing these strategies, parents can support their children in building resilience, managing performance pressure, and thriving both on and off the field.
If your child needs additional mental health support, our athletic trainers can refer them to one of our Behavioral Health experts at Atrium Health and Atrium Health Levine Children’s. Learn more.
To learn more about why Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute is the region’s leader in orthopedics and sports medicine care, click here. To schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic or Sports Medicine specialist, call 704-863-HURT (4878) or schedule online.
Medical Directors:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg - Dr. David Price
- Union & Fort Mill - Dr. Eric Warren
- Cabarrus - Dr. Kevin Burroughs
