PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Parental pressure on children playing sports can be a serious problem. It is called orthopedic psychiatric disorder.
Although it does not get a great deal of attention, for a growing number of adolescents, whose parents put too much pressure on them to succeed in sports, it can be the cause of health issues.
There are warning signs. For example, the teen may participate in a sport and have good grades, but also have a high degree of absenteeism. Health symptoms include chronic fatigue, migraines and severe muscle aches. The symptoms are far worse than the actual physical exam reveals. Ultimately, this is the body’s response to extreme psychological pressure from the parents.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.