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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe yips may be caused by neurological or psychological factors.
Neurological
In some people, the yips are a type of focal dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions during a specific task. It's most likely related to overuse of a certain set of muscles, similar to writer's cramp. Anxiety worsens the effect.
Psychological
In a pressure situation, some athletes become so anxious and self-focused — over-thinking to the point of distraction — that their ability to execute a skill, like putting, is impaired. Choking is an extreme form of performance anxiety that may compromise a golfer's game, and for some, it can trigger the yips.
- Adler CH. Sports-related task-specific dystonia: The yips. In: Stacy MA. Handbook of Dystonia. New York: Informa Healthcare; 2007:209.
- Kartha N. Dystonia. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2006;22:899.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 17, 2009.
