"Probably just a fear of rejection"- When Michael Phelps opened up about staying quiet on mental health issues amid major expectations

By Abhiruchi Rout

Modified Dec 20, 2024 12:11 GMT

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Michael Phelps once opened up on why he remained silent about his mental health struggles. He explained that athletes are often considered strong without any weaknesses and also accepted that his silence was partly driven by fear of rejection.

In an interview with CBS News, Phelps shared how societal pressure forces athletes to maintain a strong persona, which led him to hide his struggles from the outside world for a long time rather than speak up. He added how a fear of rejection also played a crucial part in suppressing his feelings. He reflected on society’s expectations, adding, via CBS News in April 2018:

"I think it's something that nobody's really talked about in the past because we're supposed to be this big, macho, strong person that has no weaknesses. You know, we're supposed to be perfect.”

The most decorated Olympian of all time further mentioned in the interview:

“And for me, I carried it along for so long and never really talked about it... part of that was probably just a fear of rejection."

Following his driving under the influence (DUI) arrest in 2014, Michael Phelps sought therapy at a 45-day in-patient treatment center in Arizona and continued his therapy sessions after returning to Baltimore. Although he was initially apprehensive and scared about attending therapy, he started to feel better once he started to take the sessions.

After opening up about his mental health struggles in 2014, the 39-year-old has since been a vocal advocate as he encourages others to talk more openly about the issue.

Michael Phelps weighs in on whether he knew it was depression upon experiencing it

Michael Phelps at Rio Olympics 2016 (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Michael Phelps shared his thoughts when asked whether he knew he was suffering from depression when he first started experiencing it. In an interview with Meet the Press (NBC News), stated that he feared that his competitors might take advantage of it if he shared his struggles.

However, Phelps knew something was 'off', adding:

“I think at that point, you know, like. Also as a male athlete, you know, like I could tell something was off. But I think I saw it as a sign of weakness. And if I shared anything about it, then it would give my competitors an edge. And I'm not trying to do that, right? Like I don't want to get my competitors and I'm trying to be better than anybody period has ever been.”

Phelps added how he perceived it as a weakness, stating:

“So for me, I looked at it as weakness. So for me, I had to learn that vulnerability is a good thing. It was scary at first. But, I learned the vulnerability just means change. And for me, it was a great change.”

Notably, Phelps experienced post-Olympic depression for the first time after the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where he had an extraordinary campaign, winning six gold medals and two bronze.