As Minnesotans, we know the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the seasonal hope our local sports teams bring. The dramatic build-up as the underdog starts gaining traction, then the inevitable “ope” and profanity when our dreams get crushed. Whether it’s the overwhelming pride in our state or the sport itself, a big loss can propel us into emotional turmoil our parents or significant others aren’t proud of. (Cue broken TVs, the silent treatment, and sassy attitudes.)
Since its founding in 1961, the Vikings have gone to the Super Bowl four times (1970, 1974, 1975, 1977) but lost all four. The Twins lost 18 straight postseason games from 2004-2023, with the loss streak ending last fall against the Toronto Blue Jays—the longest losing streak postseason in MLB history. In addition, the NBA Timberwolves and the NHL Wild have never made it to the championship round. The bright spot: the WNBA Minnesota Lynx has won four titles (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017).
We have reasons to get all worked up when our sports world crumbles. The intense yet short-lived burst of emotions is not just us turning off the “Minnesota Nice.” It’s actually “sports fan depression.” The condition is common among those who consider themselves #1 fans.
Learn more about “sports fan depression” and the way you can work through it with that good ole’ Midwesterner determination.
What You’ll Learn:
- What exactly is “sports fan depression,” and why do so many sport fans experience it after a tough loss?
- How can you tell the difference between short-term sports-related sadness and clinical depression?
- Why does the emotional investment in our favorite teams feel like a personal blow when they lose?
- What healthy coping strategies can help fans bounce back after a devastating game or season?
- When should you reach out for professional support if the post-game blues aren’t going away?
Quick Read
“Sports fan depression” isn’t an official diagnosis, but it’s a phrase that captures the heavy emotions many fans feel after a crushing loss or poor performance from a favorite player. For some, the disappointment can linger for days or even weeks, especially when it follows a high-stakes event like the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the games end on the field, the emotional investment carries over into everyday life.
The frustration goes deeper than the scoreboard. Years of loyalty—time, money, and energy spent cheering for a team—can make a loss feel like a personal blow. Anger, sadness, and even grief can rise to the surface, fueled by the strong connection fans have built with their team. Add in the pride of representing your city or state, the emotional fallout can be even stronger.
Sports also thrive on community. Whether you’re gathered at a bar with strangers in the same jersey or on the couch with family and friends, there’s power in rooting together. That shared energy is what makes the highs exhilarating—and the lows devastating. When the season ends or the streak is broken, it’s not just about losing a game—it can feel like losing a piece of connection, too. When these challenges exist past the big game, especially over a period of time, the best thing you can do is seek professional help.
What Is Sports Fan Depression?
“Sports fan depression” is not an official mental health diagnosis, but rather a phrase to describe the intense emotions that can arise after a challenging game or the poor performance of a star player. But for many avid sports fans, it can be a real experience, impacting their life for days to weeks—especially after the emotional attachment related to an event such as the Stanley Cup Playoffs or the Super Bowl.
For many dedicated fans, acute grief can be accompanied by complex feelings such as anger, sadness, and frustration. What triggers these intense feelings can often be a combination of the time, money, and emotional investments they have made to their team or player throughout the season or even throughout their lives. As a result of years of those contributions, losing a game can land like a personal blow.
Lastly, sports create community. The energy many of us feel, in an arena or in front of a screen, in a sports bar or on the couch with family, comes from the connection it brings, as we all root for the same team or city. Whether you’ve been gathering for draft parties or bringing the family’s favorite hot wings to Sunday night football each week, the end of a streak can feel like a blow to that sense of everyone being in it together.
Is Sports Fan Depression Real?
Yes and no. “Sports fan depression” can mirror symptoms of depression. Still, they are typically short-lived and are triggered by a bad experience associated with their team, such as a game or the season as a whole. Similar to the “winter blues” categorized by depressive symptoms related to seasonal change, sport-related stress is not considered serious as long as it is short-term.
Although the feelings are stressful and can even impact other parts of a sports enthusiast’s day, it does not necessarily mean someone has a mental health disorder. Meanwhile, major depressive disorder (MDD) is an official mental health condition that causes feelings of sadness or a loss of interest in daily activities. Depression affects a person’s daily life over an extended period and can become serious if left untreated.
Symptoms can include:
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or sadness
- Anger and frustration
- Loss of interest in daily in hobbies and activities
- Sleeping too much or insomnia
- Change in appetite, such as increased cravings or loss of appetite
- Lack of energy and struggle to accomplish small tasks
- Trouble with concentrating and decision-making
- Physical problems such as headaches, back pain, and digestive issues that otherwise don’t have a clear explanation or cause
Although “sports fan depression” is not considered a diagnosable condition, it can feel real to a die-hard sports fan. It takes practice to achieve the perfect swish or the all-impressive hat-trick, the same goes for practicing mental wellness techniques. Learning to use healthy coping skills can build resilience when your team heads into extra innings.
If you or a loved one continues to experience depressive symptoms for longer than two weeks, please get professional support. Call our experts at 952-826-8475 to access a no-cost mental health screening or use our request form.
5 Helpful Ways to Bounce Back If Your Team Loses
So, it happened. The opponent team got a three-pointer in the last second of the 4th quarter. Feeling sad or even urged to yell at the TV can be common. But it’s time to step up to the plate and ensure you are taking care of your mental wellness.
It’s time to get your head in the self-care game with these helpful coping skills.
1. Put Things in Perspective
Ball is life, but there’s more to it than that. From news anchors to your coworkers, they can all contribute to the feeling that it’s the end of the world when your team loses. These conversations can fuel emotions, charging them to such heights that they can feel more significant than it is. Most likely, your life will be unaffected in the grand scheme, so why not recognize the loss and shift your perspective? Bring yourself out of the flurry to focus on the important things in your life so it doesn’t affect you for days or weeks.
2. Take a Step Back From Social and Other Media
Sports-related news, especially big games, can be plastered across the web. Don’t give in to the sensationalized headlines; instead, take a step back from the incoming media and recognize your feelings rather than absorb someone else’s perspective. Try taking a digital detox, even if it’s just for a few days after the game. When you invest time and emotional energy into this one event, you should do the same for yourself when it doesn’t go the way you want.
After all, Simone Biles didn’t throw in the towel after she stepped away from the Olympics to focus on her mental health—you can do the same.
3. Find a Hobby to Fill the Time
There is 24/7 coverage of sports, and it can become a habit to constantly check in with your preferred sport or find a new obsession on TV to fill the void. Finding a new activity or hobby to occupy your time instead of doom scrolling through the same negative event time and time again. Get into something you enjoy or revisit a hobby you put aside. Being in nature can also help shift your mood, so embrace what the season offers in Minnesota. Such as:
- Summertime: Fish at your local lake or try gardening.
- Winter: Volunteer with a local animal shelter to walk dogs or rent snowshoes for outdoor exploration.
4. Stay Connected with Your Friends
For many people with unofficial or diagnosed depression, there is a tendency to isolate themselves from others. In combination with the loss of companionship at the end of the season, it can become lonely. After all, there is no “i” in “team” regarding being part of a community and keeping connections. Keep in contact with your friends, family, and loved ones even though you feel a significant loss or don’t feel up to it. Since there are no scheduled games, if it’s the end of the season, find a new activity, such as pizza night or walking your dog together.
5. Channel Your Feelings Through Exercise
A new study has shown the importance of exercise in depression treatment. If you have “sports fan depression” or MDD, getting some physical activity has been proven to put some pep in your step. Whether shooting three-pointers outside like Anthony Edwards or taking a stroll around the lake, exercise is one of the best ways to cope with intense feelings. Even an at-home workout can win you the gold medal in your mental well-being.
The Ball Is In Your Court to Get Support
As Minnesotans, we know all too well the excitement and frustration that can come along with cherishing your favorite team. If you continue to have persistent or overwhelming feelings following the loss after a buzzer-beater, it may be time to get help from the GOAT in mental health services.
PrairieCare has the home court advantage as a leading psychiatric provider in Minnesota, with convenient locations throughout the state. Operating in the Twin Cities since 2005, we are a physician-led mental health system providing leading-edge, evidence-based care. With immediate openings at many of our locations, you or your little Kevin Garnett in the making don’t have to wait to get the support you need. Get the ball rolling today by calling our team at 952-826-8475 to connect to the care you need to thrive.
