Sport-related performance anxiety in young athletes: a clinical practice review.

Performance anxiety is characterized by intense feelings of emotional distress before, during, or after performing in front of others. In pediatric patients who participate in organized, competitive athletics, this can manifest with somatic, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms such as activation of the sympathetic nervous system and avoidance behaviors. Performance anxiety may now be classified as a psychiatric disorder if symptoms have been longstanding and cause significant emotional distress and/or functional impairment.