Dd has extreme anxiety before sports competitions

[Baalam]

Hi could anyone give me some advice. My 11 year old dd is a fantastic athlete and sports person. But she gets so nervous before competitions she has panic attacks and cries. I am at the point of saying please let's not do this anymore. She says she really doesn't want to give up. I don't want the panic to 'win' and stop her doing something she enjoys. After a competition she is so happy and pleased with herself. She's really talented and I don't know what to do for the best. Thank you.

My DS age 6 gets very nervous before attending his rugby lesson nevermind a competition!

What helped him was talking to him about how normal it is and how top athletes and other performers also feel so nervous as do ordinary people in ordinary situations eg before a birthday party.

He now often listens to Eminem's Lose Yourself (clean version) before attending rugby. The lyrics talk about nerves and over coming them. Many sports people/performers claim to listen to this song (which my ds already loved) including many out of genre singers like Michael Buble.

My husband also talked to him about a famous rugby player who has said he knows he's ready for a match when he's so nervous he is sick.

So could it help your daughter if you try to normalise the behaviour? Embrace it to an extent?

On a side note many people have rituals before an event or performance. Following a particular routine on match day and wearing particular clothes.

We've not discussed this last point with my 6yo as I think it would tip him over into every day obsessing over rituals as he already has that type of personality!

Thank you. That's very good advice. I think she'll like that song as long as I get the clean version!!