Star athlete Shiffrin discusses a startling loss of command
Ski Star Mikaela Shiffrin Reveals Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Battle Following Serious Injury
In a heartfelt essay on The Players' Tribune, two-time Olympic gold medalist Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin opened up about her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a fall in Killington, USA, in November 2024.
The fall resulted in severe injuries, but after her physical recovery, Shiffrin felt anything but herself. She grappled with unsettling thoughts and a sense of danger, admitting, "That was definitely scary." Her therapist was the first to suspect PTSD, a diagnosis that proved challenging during her athletic journey.
The ski star attributes the accident in Killington, as well as previous incidents such as her fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde's serious accident in Wengen in January 2024, her father's sudden death in 2020, and a severe fall in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2024, as potential triggers for her PTSD.
The recovery process for Shiffrin was long and arduous. She had to continually remind herself that accidents don't necessarily happen and that most of the time, things go well. Eventually, her body began to obey her again, and she made a comeback. Following her return to competition in January 2025, Shiffrin celebrated her 100th and 101st World Cup victories and won gold in the team combination at the World Championships in Saalbach. Today, she declares, "I feel like myself again."
Shiffrin's PTSD had a temporary impact on her confidence and focus, causing her to withdraw from defending her World Championships title in February 2025. However, she emphasized that competing and training were crucial components of her recovery. Despite the setbacks, she is looking forward to the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
[1] Shiffrin, M. (2025). Scared You: Ski Star Shiffrin Gives All-Clear from Hospital. The Players' Tribune.[2] ntv.de. (2025). Mikaela Shiffrin Diagnosed with PTSD After Skiing Accident. ntv.de. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/sport/skizontallauf/Mikaela-Shiffrin-diagnosed-with-PTSD-after-skiing-accident,100220348.html.
I'm not going to be able to compete in every sports event amidst my mental-health struggles, especially considering the impact prior accidents, such as the one in Killington, have on my health-and-wellness and my diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, science and a professional focus on my mental-health have given me hope for a recovery that will allow me to continue striving for success in the field of sports, particularly during the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
