# @thehiddenopponent on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C6jPxKrspQF
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/17798071-thehiddenopponent-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/71b91686c8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-05-04T14:57:32.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Hidden Opponent ©️ (@thehiddenopponent) — https://gondola.cc/thehiddenopponent

## Caption

“Around a year ago, I began experiencing intense physical symptoms before and during softball games. What started off as sleepless nights and shaky hands, quickly turned into chest pain and constant headaches. All of these symptoms were stemming from performance anxiety.

During games, I would try my best to hide the physical symptoms I was dealing with and push through. I wanted to be a good teammate, and not let others see my struggles, but the stress of having to always be in “game mode” while silently fighting an internal battle only amplified my symptoms. 

My mental health continued to worsen and I found myself getting physically sick on game days due to the anxiety. Being sick and extremely anxious all the time led my performance on the field to suffer.

I felt incredibly alone and isolated, I didn’t reach out to anyone around me for help. I wanted to have it all figured out. The idea that my mental struggles were causing physical symptoms made me feel ashamed.

As I continued to struggle, I began to see more athletes speak up and share their own stories. It might seem trivial, but knowing I wasn’t the only one experiencing performance anxiety completely changed my perspective. The strength of reading their stories led me to open up to a coach I trusted, and felt like it lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders. I finally felt like I was able to breathe. 

Thanks to those brave athletes who spoke up, I was able to learn healthy coping mechanisms to work through my performance anxiety. I began journaling and meditating before games, and continue utilizing these practices everyday outside of sports, to help me with my anxiety and fear.”

Bre’s story “Finding Strength Through Others’ Stories” is on the blog now. Leave a 🫶 in the comments to show your support for Bre! 

#thehiddenopponent #performanceanxiety #mentalhealth #softball #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

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## Tags

mentalhealthawarenessmonth, softball, performanceanxiety, mentalhealth, thehiddenopponent

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