Question: I am a former high school and college volleyball and basketball player, and have continued to exercise since college. I've had problems with generalized anxiety disorder for a long time, which has affected my sports performance both then and now.

When I exercise - usually jogging or playing basketball - my anxiety increases to the point of stopping me in my tracks. The counselors I've ever spoken to about my problems with anxiety always suggest that I exercise, since it should make me feel BETTER. Well, it always makes me feel worse.

Currently in the rest of my life my anxiety is pretty low and under control; only when I exercise does it get oppressive. I just wonder if there are other people out there that experience this, if there could be a physiological or other reason for it, and if anyone has found any relief from it. Exercise and sports are very important to me, and I'm so tired of fighting this and want to be able to enjoy physical activity.

Answer: There can be medical reasons for an increase in anxiety during exercise. Have you had a complete physical and a medical work up for it? If you have, and your internist finds nothing physical, then talking to a Sport Psychologist or Psychiatrist is the next step. Contact me if you need a name.

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