Daniel Sexton
BBC News, South East
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James Wade said he was always “a little bit different” when growing up
Darts player James Wade has spoken of the “relief” he felt after being diagnosed with bipolar and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at 27 years old.
Wade, from Surrey, currently the world number five in darts, told the BBC he had struggled with the conditions pre-diagnosis.
Wade, who is now 42, said: “I’ve always been a little bit different – when I was younger I didn’t really fit in to social groups. I would do things to make people laugh or just act stupid.
“Sometimes I was a bit naughty – not in a bad way – but I didn’t know how to handle certain situations.”
Wade now represents the charity Bipolar UK as an ambassador – a role he has held since 2016.
According to the charity, bipolar is characterised by sometimes extreme changes in mood and energy which can have a devastating impact on both the person with the illness and their families.
However, it says getting a diagnosis “can open the door to effective treatment, support and self-management so that someone with bipolar can live well and fulfil their potential”.
Wade said he would like to do more to raise awareness of the condition when he eventually gets around to putting his darts down.
He said: “Hopefully I’ve earned enough money from my job to be able to leave me under no pressure whatsoever, and I can just dedicate a lot of time to Bipolar UK and raise awareness of the condition.
“I was really, really fortunate when I was 27. I had the funds, so used private healthcare to go and get the help that I needed.
“Hopefully in years to come, there’ll be a better path for people with mental illness.”
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Wade has been playing darts at the very top level of the sport for 20 years
Wade said his coping mechanisms were all “selfish” things, such as working on cars.
“That’s my passion, to fix something that’s broken,” he said.
“Fishing is another one for me that is good – but I don’t go as much now as I have children.”
His current walk-on song, I’m Still Standing by Elton John, is a testament to his struggles and how he came through them.
“I could have walked away, which would have been the easy option, that’s for sure.
“It wouldn’t have been the best for me financially, but mentally, 100%, to walk away from the game with immediate effect would be definitely the best thing for me.
“My job is to financially support my family and give them a little bit more freedom.”
He said his life as a darts player had given him “so many great things”.
He added: “I’ve seen the world multiple times. I’ve been to places I’d never would have been. And I’ve met the most wonderful people through my job as well.”
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Wade’s current walk-on song is I’m Still Standing by Elton John
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, there is help and support available on the BBC Action Line pages.