It’s natural to feel anger against members of an opposing team when engaged in intense competition. In fact, there are performance-enhancing factors that come with experiencing anger, including increased adrenaline release and subsequently enhanced pain tolerance, strength, and stamina. This same emotion one feels towards the opposition may even persist after a game, playoff series, or season has concluded, especially if successes landed in favor of said opposition. Anger can then be channeled towards training for the next go-around. This is all part of sports, and for the most part elite athletes are able to manage the emotion. However, things become problematic when anger is consistently focused towards members of one’s team and manifests as feelings of hate. Not only is it a harmful way of thinking, it can be counterproductive on the court, track, field and in the stadium or arena.
Have you been feeling this way lately? Have you come online to exclaim “I hate my teammates” with the hope of finding an answer that you can use to end the resentment? While it’s a challenging position to be in, you’ve made the right decision to seek help. Below is a breakdown of why you may feel the way you do, and what you can do about it today.
Why You May Consistently Feel Anger Towards Teammates and What Can be Done to Correct the Course
Why You May Feel Hate Towards Teammates
Elite Athletes More Likely to Exhibit Anger?
You may feel isolated in regards to the way you feel about those you compete along side, but you are not alone. Research has found that athletes show an approach tendency toward anger-associated stimuli at both behavioral and neural levels. Further, psychologists have identified traits that make a person prone to anger, aggressive reactions trait anger, and trait aggression. These traits include impulsivity and thrill-seeking behavior, both of which are common to competitive athletes. While more research is required on the matter to make definitive conclusions about propensities, there is a link between being an elite athlete and vulnerability to developing irrational feelings of anger. This link may also be explained by the presence of cooccurring mental health conditions.
Elite Athlete Issues That Cooccur with Anger
When an athlete reports consistent feelings of hate towards teammates, there are generally underlying concerns beyond anger issues. Mental and behavioral health concerns that are common to elite athletes that cooccur with anger and irritability include the following:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating and body dysmorphic disorder
- Gambling disorder (view more)
- Mental exhaustion and burnout
- Personality disorders (including bipolar disorder)
- Stress
- Substance abuse disorder
An assessment from a mental health specialist will help you uncover underlying issues that may be connected to anger. This leads to our next and most important call to action.
How to End Feelings of Hate for Teammates
Athlete Anger Management Counseling
Research supports the effectiveness of psychological intervention in correcting an athlete’s low frustration tolerance behaviors directed towards others, teammates included. These studies back intervention as an effective strategy for problem resolution and disputing and restructuring irrational beliefs, which facilitates performance enhancement in competitions.
Kindbridge Behavioral Health provides mental and behavioral health support services specifically for elite athletes in the United States. Our virtual platform allows you to reach out immediately and schedule sessions at your convenience, in a welcoming nonjudgemental environment. Together with a specialist you will get to the root of what causes your feelings towards teammates, and embark upon a path to greater happiness. Your team, coaches, and others in your life will notice a palpable change for the better. Most importantly, you’ll feel better about yourself. Learn more about this powerful anger management option right here.
Supplements to Athlete Anger Management Counseling
Supplement counseling for anger management and cooccurring issues (as applicable) with other life changes that are known to help mitigate feelings of anger in a sustainable manner. This may include the integration of healthy dopamine-releasing activities, nutritional changes, and abstinence from things that may trigger anger with teammates such as following their activities on social media. View more on anger management options.
Become a Positive Member of the Team Again
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