Sports Medicine and Mental Health in Female Athletes | Dr. Jessica Gray

On this episode of The Resilience Factor, host Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with Dr. Jessica Gray, a board-certified family medicine physician, clinical assistant professor, and team physician for Texas Tech women's basketball. Dr. Gray pulls back the curtain on transitioning from a self-proclaimed "band nerd" to managing the high-stakes world of D1 collegiate sports medicine. The conversation dives deep into why treating elite athletes requires looking far beyond the physical injury to address the hidden, complex intersection of body and mind.  What You’ll Learn: The unique connection between specialized concussion protocols and underlying mood changes that dictates an athlete's timeline for a safe return to play. How a history of depression or anxiety acts as a critical factor that can significantly delay physical recovery from a mild to moderate head injury. The specific screening strategy used to uncover hidden signs of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and restrictive eating behaviors in competitive spaces. How the relentless pressure of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok directly impacts the mental resilience of modern collegiate players. The emerging medical research regarding female athletes that links specific phases of the menstrual cycle to a heightened risk for severe injuries like an ACL tear. Guest Resources: Instagram: @drjessicagraymd Podcast: The Med Edit Podcast  Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices