"It makes you hate everything" - James Wade opens up about daily bipolar disorder battle in top level sport
PDC
James Wade is not only one of the most consistent darters of his generation, he is also one of the few top athletes who has been open about his mental health for years. Since his diagnosis with bipolar disorder in 2009, he has been fighting a daily battle that is often invisible to the public.
ADVERTISEMENT
While other players celebrate their victories with pride and joy, for Wade, relief prevails after a good match. "Proud is probably not a word that would come into it really," he told the PA news agency. "When I do well, I tick my own boxes in my mind. I know I can still do it, and I still can do it. When I do what I've been doing, at times, I just stand back and I feel probably relieved, because I know I can do it."
Wade received his diagnosis at a time when he was enjoying his greatest successes athletically. Multiple major titles in a short time catapulted him to the top of professional darts, but at the same time it became clear that behind the success something was gnawing as well. Today, he has learned to deal with his condition, but the struggle remains, especially in the grueling darts life with long days, busy schedules and public expectations.
"I find it exhausting talking to a lot of people like you're expected to because sometimes I just want to sit there and be quiet," he said. "If you do that for six days, seven days, doing something that's hard work for you, which other people take for granted, it mentally just drains you.
That exhaustion can quickly turn into a negative spiral, he says. "In it you start feeling really negative about everything. It makes you hate everything around that. And it can happen that quick. I had a couple, three, four days like that, but I went fishing, came back and felt really refreshed, to be fair.
"So you know, quite lucky. It didn't go into a big valley of doom and gloom, which you can do for weeks and weeks and weeks."
James Wade has been advocating for people with bipolar disorder for years
ADVERTISEMENT
Fighting for greater understanding
Wade is a longtime ambassador for Bipolar UK, an organization dedicated to helping people with bipolar disorder. On Aug. 22, he is hosting a benefit dinner to raise money for the severely underfunded foundation. Among those attending will be Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price, songwriter Nicky Chinn and TV presenter Leah Charles-King.
"Bipolar UK is probably one of the worst funded charities. You have so many link-ons to other charities that someone's doing this for that charity, then you'll have a link on to another.
"Bipolar UK are on their own. They get nothing, which is disgusting. I'm lucky enough to have a small platform, and some people, not very many people, listen to me.
The left-handed darter hopes the openness will lead to recognition, saving lives.
"When we approach people that are known, we always ask them to talk about the illness, because they're opening more doors, making more people aware of it, not just for treatment, but also for understanding of how people are at times.
ADVERTISEMENT
That awareness is vital, according to Wade. "The last thing you want is someone ending their life because they're having a bad day with their illness. And that happens far too often."
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026