Dartitis: The condition where you try to throw a dart – but can’t.

Former professional darts champion Kevin Painter has thrown arrows almost every day for 40 years.

Throughout his career he thrived under pressure, Playing in the most prestigious competitions and taking home over £900,000 in prize money.

But earlier this year, he went to throw a dart and physically it didn’t come out of his hand.

He said, “You’re in shock, I stood there for a long time. I couldn’t raise my hand to release the dart.”

Kevin was suffering from dartitis, a mental condition where the brain prevents the player from releasing darts.

Finding a cure will become the latest challenge for the 57-year-old.

“In the absence of any physical trauma (dartitis) is entirely psychological,” said Dr Linda Duffy, professor of psychology at Middlesex University.

She was ranked world number one in the women’s world from 1982 to 1987 and also experienced dartitis.

She said, “I used to combat it with extra exercise. In olden times it was heard about, but not many people talked about it.”

Dartitis can affect all players, professional or amateur.

Darts referee and online content creator Jack Langston was 12 when he first experienced the condition.

“There was a little pause right before I threw the dart,” he said.

At first it was barely noticeable but eventually it became so bad that it took him 60 seconds to throw three darts.

At the age of 13, he was forced to quit his job and at the time he believed his darts career was over.

“You’re coming out and getting beaten by people you know should beat you,” he said.

“It’s very frustrating. It’s a real mental struggle.”

Every case is different, and there is no single cause, but many players report that it comes from a fear of missing out.

“It’s caused by anxiety and stress,” Kevin said.

“Where others suffer panic attacks, for me it manifested as dartitis.”

After experiencing the condition firsthand, Kevin was introduced to a hypnotherapist.

Chris O’Connor runs Eccleston Park Hypnotherapy, the official hypnotherapy partner of the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA).

During his session, the patient is laid down on a couch and taken into a trance, where he is “infused with all the confidence work and motivation work,” Mr. O’Connor said.

“It’s all about getting them to visualize the area of ​​their life they want to improve.”

After eight sessions, Kevin’s dartitis appeared to be cured.

In a video posted on social media he thanked Mr O’Connor and said the treatment had worked.

But two weeks later, during a televised match on the World Senior Darts Tour, the situation returned.

“I was really disappointed,” he said. “I thought it was gone.”

Dr. Duffy admitted that he does not agree with hypnotherapy.

He said, “I don’t think it will ever work – because throwing darts is a conscious skill. So doing therapy on your unconscious movements I don’t think will help.”

Perhaps because of its name, players have a tendency to view dartitis as a problem unique to the game, which therefore demands unique solutions.

But Dr Duffy emphasizes that “this is just another cognitive disorder, so it should be treated as such”.

She likes to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), where the player views dartitis as a challenge they need to overcome.

Unlike Kevin, Jack has managed to overcome his dartitis and has had lasting results.

In January, the 31-year-old decided to start throwing with his left hand.

“(It) was the biggest decision of my entire life to play darts,” he said.

But it worked, and within three months he was winning matches in amateur tournaments.

Along with his improved performance, Jack got another advantage – he no longer needed to drink to play.

“If I didn’t get a beer I would tremble and I would get so nervous,” he said.

“If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be sober and playing darts, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Kevin has also started drinking less to aid his recovery.

“It’s no secret that everyone loves a drink when they play,” he said.

“But you have to put effort (into treatment). I like to take a walk in the morning to clear my head.”

Although reducing alcohol intake is a welcome benefit, Dr. Duffy is clear that he does not believe there is any link between drinking and dartitis.

“The underlying mechanisms that cause dartitis are the same things that cause any other anxiety disorder,” he said.

Kevin plans to continue his hypnotherapy treatment, hoping this time the dartitis will go away forever.

“Everyone has been very supportive,” he said.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who have it or have had it. I wouldn’t be having these conversations if I hadn’t had dartitis.”