A Story of Social
Anxiety Disorder: Ricky Williams
By Leslie Anderson
Many people know Ricky
Williams as the Heisman Trophy-winning running back who had it all -- fame,
money, and talent. Selected as the fifth NFL draft pick out of college, Ricky
created a media frenzy, making him a celebrity overnight. With a successful
career underway, who would believe that this football sensation who played
for crowds of 100,000 dreaded the thought of going to the grocery store or
meeting a fan on the street?
"I was 23, a
millionaire and had everything, yet I was never more unhappy in my life,"
said Ricky Williams. "I felt extremely isolated from my friends and family
because I couldn't explain to them what I was feeling. I had no idea what
was wrong with me."
Ricky's fears escalated
at the start of his professional football career for the New Orleans Saints. With high
expectations to perform, Ricky was thrust into the limelight. Often portrayed
by the media as aloof or even weird, he was known for conducting interviews
with his helmet on and shying away from fans. He could barely interact with
his young daughter or leave his house to do errands. What most didn't realize
is that by simply talking to a reporter, a fan, a member of the community,
or even his own family, Ricky was struggling with the very root of his problem.
Ricky later learned
he was among the more than 15 million Americans who suffer from social anxiety
disorder, or social phobia. People with social anxiety disorder have an intense fear of being scrutinized
by others in social or performance situations and of negative evaluation.
In short, they are literally afraid of people. Even worse, only
five percent of people with social anxiety disorder actually receive treatment.
Fortunately for Ricky,
a good friend suggested that he see a therapist.
"When I first
met Ricky, he could hardly look me in the eye," said Janey Barnes, the
therapist who diagnosed him with social anxiety disorder and started his treatment
program. "Like most people with this condition, Ricky thought he was
just shy or strange, but it was clear to me that his anxiety was debilitating,
which is very different than shyness. Luckily, social anxiety disorder is
highly treatable."
After his first therapy
session, Ricky began his road to recovery.
"After I was
diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, I felt immense relief because it meant
that there was a name for my suffering. I wasn't crazy or weird, like I thought
for so many years," said Williams. "As part of my treatment program,
my physician prescribed the antidepressant Paxil, in combination with therapy.
Soon thereafter I was able to start acting like the real Ricky Williams."
Williams made dramatic improvements once he was diagnosed and started treatment. Today he doesn't even think about doing
an interview with his helmet on, he's going to the mall for the first time
in three years, and he is able to be a better father to his children.
"I understand
that a lot of people, especially men, look up to me because of my profession,
so I have a chance to reach out to people and let them know what I've been
through and how treatment has made my life so much better," added Williams.
"If my story can help even one person to seek help, it will feel as though
I've scored the game-winning touchdown."
Ricky
was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2002, and in his first season with the team he was the NFL's leading rusher. He retired from football two years later.
