DBT in the World of Professional Athletes

During this time of year Monday night means only one thing in my house, Monday Night Football. I’ll admit, this was not always the case, and I tend to have my phone/computer or some other device to entertain me if the game slows. This past Monday, however, the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears faced off and the commentators started to discuss Chicago player, Brandon Marshall, and his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This immmediately grabbed my attention.The Bears won the game (sorry, Dallas fans), but in my book it was a win for not only Chicago but DBT as well. On national television they discussed Marshall’s announcement of his BPD diagnosis which occurred last year. They discussed his performance on and off the field last year and the differences he and his teammates have seen after his three month residential treatment at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. This article on Psychologytoday.com contains Marshall’s statement when he announced his diagnosis last year. At the time he was a Miami Dolphin. Now, as a Chicago Bear he must deal with the consequences of his past. On October 3, Stephen A. Smith, a journalist for ESPN criticized Marshall on ESPN’s “First Look.” (More on Smith’s criticism can be found in this article).Mental illness can effect anyone, even all start athletes. Marshall now fights to prove himself on and off the field and to become the face of BPD. His three month stay in residential treatment was not covered through his insurance. He is attempting to advocate for mental health treatments to be covered. While he may be able to afford a $60,000 bill, others cannot. It will be interesting to see where Marshall goes this year, on and off the field, but I must say I am much more interested in how he advocates for mental illness off the field.Article: Football Player Brandon Marshall: The New Face of Borderline Personality DisorderAmy Eisenman, MS, NCC, LAPC Intensively Trained DBT Therapist