Dartitis: An incurable condition wherein one attempts to throw a dart but cannot.

Former darts champion Kevin Painter suffers from Dartitis. Over four decades he has practiced darting almost daily. He thrived under pressure throughout his career, playing in some of the highest profile competitions and amassing over PS900,000. But earlier this year when it was his turn to throw, his dart refused to move from its spot in his hand despite him shaking it violently several times before finally coming loose with some success: “You stand there shocked for ages; something strange must have happened here.” “I just couldn’t raise my arm up to release the dart,” Kevin lamented. He was suffering from dartitis – an annoying mental condition whereby brain stopping you from throwing darts – which prevented him from throwing. Finding a solution became his latest task at age 57. “Dartitis is psychological,” according to Linda Duffy, professor of psychology at Middlesex University and former women’s world number one from 1982 through 1987 who experienced dartitis herself. In order to manage it effectively she used extra practice sessions. “Darttitis was something commonly discussed back then, though few spoke publicly about it,” according to Sheehan. It can affect players of both professional and amateur status alike – Jack Langston first encountered it as an online content creator at 12 when first experiencing it himself. “Just before throwing my dart,” he explained, was initially barely noticeable but eventually it worsened to such an extent that three dart throws would take him 60 seconds each – forcing him to stop darts at age 13. By that point, it had effectively ended as his darts career was no longer feasible. “You know you should beat these opponents,” he complained, but they keep beating you anyway. This demoralising situation forces one into mental battleground. Jack Langston documented his dartitis experience on social media. Every case differs, with no single cause; many players report feeling anxiety over missing. Kevin stated this anxiety causes the condition. Kevin experienced what is commonly referred to as dartitis when initially experiencing it and eventually sought help through Chris O’Connor of Eccleston Park Hypnotherapy; they are the official partner hypnotherapists of Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA). Mr O’Connor said his sessions consist of getting his patients into a deep state of relaxation before providing “confidence work and motivation work”, encouraging them to visualise an area in their lives they would like to improve upon. After eight sessions with Mr O’Connor and treatment from Darts Medicine Center in Glasgow, it seemed Kevin’s dartitis had been resolved. In an online video posted to social media he expressed thanks for it working and said the treatment had helped. But two weeks later at World Senior Darts tour match at Glasgow Arena his condition returned.” “I was truly dismayed when it wasn’t there anymore,” he lamented, believing it had vanished forever. Dr Duffy expressed doubt over hypnotherapy; in her estimation it likely wouldn’t work because throwing darts is a conscious skill and therapy on unconscious movements likely wouldn’t aid their performance, she concluded. Dr Linda Duffy held the women’s world number one ranking from 1982 to 1987 and due to its name, some players may perceive dartitis as an issue specific to darts which must be solved using tailor-made solutions. But Dr. Duffy stresses it’s just another cognitive disorder and should be approached accordingly. Her preferred method for treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in which dartitis becomes seen as an obstacle and must be met head on in order to overcome. Jack has succeeded in shaking off his dartitis with lasting results. Last January, the 31-year-old decided to switch up throwing hands. “[[It was] one of my biggest decisions ever in playing darts!” he claimed. But his strategies paid off quickly; within three months Jack began winning amateur tournament matches without needing alcohol to perform well. Along with improved performances, Jack also discovered an additional perk: no longer needing beer to stay relaxed when playing. “Beer was my go-to when nervous,” he admitted. Jack Langston knew dartitis would prevent him from going professional, however to aid recovery he has started drinking less – “it is no secret everyone enjoys having an occasional beverage when playing darts”, as Kevin observed. “But it takes effort [to treat dartitis]. Personally, I like taking morning walks to clear my head.” Although decreasing alcohol consumption would certainly help with recovery from dartitis, Dr Duffy does not believe there to be any causal connection. “Dartitis shares many underlying mechanisms with other anxiety disorders,” according to Kevin’s doctor, and plans on continuing his hypnotherapy treatment in hopes that his dartitis goes away for good this time around. Kevin noted: “Everyone’s been very supportive. “I have met so many other people with dartitis or who have had it- these conversations would not have taken place had dartitis not existed”.