Extreme sports and psychology
Extreme sports and psychology
What is meant by “extreme sports”? What are the most common psychological profiles among those who love to practice “extreme sports”? What can online therapy do?
By the term “extreme sports’’ we refer to all those sporting activities that fall under three main characteristics: individuality, creative expression, and risk-taking (Weber 2002). Examples of sports defined as high-risk can be skydiving, mountaineering, motocross, bungee jumping, parkour, surfing, paragliding.
Let’s look, however, at the relationship between extreme sports and narcissism, and between extreme sports (but with a high degree of concentration) and emotional management.
Extreme sports: narcissism and sensation seeking
Some studies have defined as pathological those individuals who, having an unhealthy relationship with the emotion of fear, choose to practice extreme sports in which danger satisfies their desire to challenge death (stateofmind.it).
Other psychoanalytic approaches instead reveal in the practice of extreme sports a narcissistic tendency.
This is explained by the fact that the narcissistic profile often tends to overestimate their own abilities, to elevate themselves, to not consider and accept their own limits and vulnerabilities (Elmes & Barry, 1999; Hunt, 1996).
In this regard, we specifically talk about two types of narcissism: overt and covert. If you want to know more you can check my article “Differences between covert and overt narcissism’’.
Overt narcissism in extreme sports
Connecting back to extreme sports and their psychology, then, we see how overt narcissists are the most widespread profile that embraces high-risk activities, facing them with feelings of vanity, arrogance, egocentrism, lack of empathy for others, “fellow athletes’’ above all. Attention on themselves is continuously sought. Immediate gratifications and recognition are sought, which, if not obtained, turn into anger (Gabbard, 1989; Masterson, 1981; Wink, 1991).
Covert narcissism in extreme sports
Covert narcissists, that is, hidden ones, are precisely individuals who manifest their narcissistic tendencies in an apparently more sensitive manner. Even if they usually stay out of the center of attention, they nonetheless nurture grandiose expectations in their own mind, a fantastic world made of dreams and fantasies of greatness. They often act in sports competitions in an apparently more humble way only to later reveal a side of their personality that shows feelings of vindication and superiority, especially in cases of defeat.
Sensation seeking and extreme sports
Another aspect analyzed in high-risk sports is the constant search for strong emotions: sensation seeking. Experiencing new things, feeling thrills of adventure, intense sensations, the constant search for adrenaline to feel alive and fulfilled. These are all characteristics belonging to a sensation seeking profile that is strongly captivated by experiencing this type of sensation, and to obtain them, will opt for increasingly risky circumstances.
Extreme sports: contacting one’s emotions
There is, however, a small circle of extreme sports including rowing and mountaineering that distance themselves from the mere view of narcissism and sensation seeking, and that go deeper, activating concentration capacity and above all the desire to reconnect with one’s emotions.
As reported in a recent study by Woodman, dating back to 2010, individuals engaged in sporting activities such as rowing and mountaineering report greater difficulties in describing their emotions and truly connecting with others (in particular with their partner).
Such emotional circumstances would lead this specific group of athletes to practice high-risk sports in order to face their own fears and emotional difficulties, rather than a simple narcissistic choice.
Mountaineering and rowing therefore differ from other extreme activities such as bungee jumping, for example, also because of the dedication, effort, and high level of concentration employed in the success of such a sport or competitions.
What can online therapy do?
As far as lovers of extreme sports are concerned, online therapy can help improve relational skills and do more accurate work on emotions. Often the most widespread problem that emerges during online therapy, for those who practice extreme sports, is the management of emotions through sport; which then translates in practical life into poor relational and emotional skills with others.
The attempt is to increase self-esteem through sports considered extreme or dangerous. Such activities should therefore not be used to mask and cover many other negative emotions. We often find ourselves in front of young people or adults who have experienced upheavals within their family, leading to a chaotic childhood, so that later as adults they seek strong emotions (sensation seeking).
For information write to Dr. Jessica Zecchini.
Email contact consulenza@jessicazecchini.it, whatsapp contact 370 32 17 351.
