Dartitis: The condition where you try to throw a dart - but can't

Kevin Painter, a former darts champion, has been playing darts for nearly 40 years and has earned over £900,000 in prize money throughout his career. However, earlier this year, he faced a shocking experience when he attempted to throw a dart but found that he could not release it from his hand. He described the moment, saying, 'You're in shock, I stood there for ages. I just couldn't get my arm up to let go of the dart. ' This condition is known as dartitis, a psychological issue that prevents players from releasing the dart. Now, at 57 years old, Kevin is on a quest to find a solution to this challenging problem. Dr. Linda Duffy, a psychology professor at Middlesex University, explained that dartitis occurs without any physical injury and is purely psychological in nature. Dr. Duffy, who was ranked as the women's world number one from 1982 to 1987, also experienced dartitis during her playing days. She shared her experience, stating, 'I used to combat it with extra practice. ' This highlights that dartitis can affect anyone, whether they are professional players or amateurs. Jack Langston, a darts referee and online content creator, first encountered dartitis at the age of 12. He recalled, 'There was a little pause just before I threw the dart. ' Initially, this pause was hardly noticeable, but it eventually escalated to the point where it took him 60 seconds to throw just three darts. By the time he turned 13, he felt he had no choice but to quit playing darts, believing his career was over. He expressed the emotional toll it took on him, saying, 'You're turning up and getting beat by people you know you should be beating. It's so demoralising. It's a real mental struggle. ' Jack has been open about his journey with dartitis on social media, aiming to raise awareness about the condition. Each case of dartitis is unique, and there is no single cause. However, many players report that it often stems from a fear of missing the target. Kevin explained, 'It's brought on by anxiety and stress. ' For him, dartitis manifested as a form of panic attack. After experiencing this condition, Kevin sought help from a hypnotherapist named Chris O'Connor, who is the official hypnotherapy partner of the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA). During the sessions, Kevin would lie on a sofa and be guided into a trance where he would work on building confidence and motivation. Chris described the process, saying, 'It's all about getting them to visualise an area of their life they want to improve. ' After eight sessions, Kevin felt that his dartitis had been cured. He expressed his gratitude to Chris in a video shared on social media. However, just two weeks later, during a televised match at the World Senior Darts tour, the dartitis returned. Kevin felt a deep sense of disappointment, stating, 'I was really, really disappointed. I thought it had gone. ' Dr. Duffy expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for dartitis, stating, 'I don't think it'll work - ever - because throwing darts is a conscious skill. So having therapy on your unconscious movements, I don't think is going to help it. ' She emphasized that dartitis is simply another cognitive disorder and should be treated as such. Dr. Duffy prefers cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps players reframe dartitis as a challenge to overcome. Unlike Kevin, Jack successfully managed to overcome his dartitis. In January, he made the significant decision to start throwing darts with his left hand. He described it as 'the biggest decision of my entire life playing darts. ' This change proved to be effective, and within three months, he was winning matches at amateur tournaments. Along with his improved performance, Jack discovered another positive outcome: he no longer needed to rely on alcohol to play. He admitted, 'I used to shake if I didn't have a beer. I'd be so nervous. ' He reflected on his progress, saying, 'If you'd have told me a year ago I'd play darts sober, I wouldn't have believed you. ' To support his recovery, Kevin has also reduced his alcohol consumption. He acknowledged, 'It's no secret everyone likes a drink when they play. ' He understands the importance of putting effort into his treatment and has taken up morning walks to clear his mind. While reducing alcohol intake is a positive step, Dr. Duffy clarified that she does not believe there is a direct link between drinking and dartitis. She stated, 'The underlying mechanisms that cause dartitis are the same things that cause any other anxiety disorder. ' Kevin remains committed to his hypnotherapy treatment, hoping that this time, dartitis will stay away for good. He expressed his appreciation for the support he has received, saying, 'Everyone's been very supportive. I've spoken to so many people who have it or have had it.