James Wade was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2009; He is managing the situation, but that and a recent health scare have contributed to the struggles at Ochs in 2024; „I was feeling very low, I would say. I was up and down in my mood and very confused at times.”
11:45, UK, Tuesday 28 May 2024
James Wade has revealed his darts game has been affected by a health scare and his bipolar disorder in the first half of 2024.
The 41-year-old, a multiple major winner on the PDC circuit including the 2009 Premier League, 2007 World Matchplay and the UK Open in 2008, 2011 and 2021, was diagnosed with the mental condition bipolar disorder in 2009 and has learned to manage it. symptoms.
However, he has dealt with that and an additional health issue of late and has won 11 matches so far this year following his early exit at last weekend’s Dutch Darts Championship.
Bipolar UK Ambassador Wade said PA News Agency: „In the last four months I’ve been up and down in my mood and sometimes very confused. I think I’m still on the confused side, but my mood seems to have leveled off a bit.
„I’ve had a tough four months, but that’s part of it. I’m lucky now that I know how to make the most of it when I’m in it.
Wade: I’ve been a disaster for months
„I didn’t do anything stupid, I didn’t upset anybody too much. I did everything right. I’m actually very proud of myself. Because for the last four months, I feel very low, I would say. I don’t have that killer in me, that desire.
„It’s a health reason, I thought I had something, I wasn’t checked, recently I was checked, I’m fine, so everything is fine.
„Being stupid as men are, I kept it to myself and didn’t check for probably two months. Then I told my wife about it, and then obviously, she held my hand and booked an appointment with a specialist.
„I’ve been doing a disaster for the last four months up until two weeks ago and it’s definitely affected my other bits and bobs around me.”
’Car and fishing help me manage the situation’
Wade’s interest in buying and restoring old cars helped him manage his condition.
The four-time PTC World Championship semi-finalist added: „Cars really take my mind off it, which I was into at the time. It’s one of my escapes, maybe both that and fishing. Take my mind off it.
„Unfortunately, I don’t have a decent car at the moment. Nothing floats my boat or anything exciting.
„I’m not going to admit what car I’ve got, because any car fans out there will think I’m not what I’ve got.
„Recently I mentioned to my wife that I wanted a new motorbike and she said, 'I think you should win some prize money before you think about spending money on a motorbike.’
„Didn’t that hurt?”
Bipolar UK offers anyone suffering from Bipolar their free UK-wide services – peer support line, peer support groups and eCommunity – and resources, through Can You Be Bipolar? Information and mood tracker app.