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The Cleveland Cavaliers' five-time All-Star
forward told the Today Show on Monday that he feared one of his
anxiety attacks during the 2017-18 season might actually be a
heart attack.
"I just wanted to get air, and so I ended up basically
unconscious on the floor," Love said.
Love penned an essay for Players' Tribune in April detailing his
issues with anxiety, which came to light because of a panic
attack Love suffered during the second half of a game against
the Atlanta Hawks. Love said in that essay he went "room to
room, looking for something I couldn't find."
Love, 29, was questioned by teammates in a private meeting. He
faced accusatory interrogation from others as well about why he
couldn't finish that game.
"I just kind of brushed it off because in our sport, or in life,
and being a man, you're taught to suppress it, you're taught to
in a lot of ways suffer in silence," Love said.
The NBA encouraged Love to speak out, and San Antonio Spurs
forward DeMar DeRozan, acquired this summer from the Toronto
Raptors, also came forward to document his issues with
depression.
Love said he had fits of rage and had a tendency to "go dark"
for weeks at a time before opting to seek medical help. Love
said Monday he is hopeful talking about his own issues will
encourage others to do the same.
For its part, the NBA named Dr. William D. Parham as its first
director of mental health and wellness.
"We have heard our players' stories and are making mental health
a priority now by bringing in Dr. Parham," NBA Players
Association Executive Director Michele Roberts said. "His many
years of expertise and knowledge of the game allow him to make
an impact in this new role right away."
--Field Level Media
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