Zack Greinke is in the news again, this time over speculation about whether he will be traded to New York. The pitcher for the Kansas City Royals is best known for his bout with social anxiety disorder (SAD), but since his recovery has proven his worth and then some.
Reports are that those close to Greinke say he does not want to go to New York because of the high pressure environment. Is Greinke being smart avoiding a situation that he doesn't think he can handle? Or is he missing out on an opportunity because of SAD.
Personally I think it is a wise move to know your comfort zone and stay within it. Football player Ricky Williams is an excellent example of how a stressful environment can make symptoms of SAD worse. Challenging yourself is important, but so is knowing your limits. The question is, if not New York, where will he go?
What do you think? Should athletes with SAD avoid high-pressure situations?
Further Reading:
- Zack Greinke Wins the Cy Young Award
- Zack Greinke on Sports Illustrated Cover
- Sports and SAD
- Managing SAD as an Athlete
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I think Zack is very wise to avoid New York. Anxiety is all based on irrational fears. Well in New York, much of the pressure and negative attention a player gets is completely overblown and irrational. Any player in his right mind would be right to avoid that. Zack could handle it if he wanted to, but why would he?