RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has revealed how he had to go to hospital after suffering a breakdown DURING last year’s World Championships.
The Rocket, who stormed out of the Crucible after beating David Gilbert in the first round, was driven straight down to London for medical treatment.
But the icon of the snooker table revealed he is used to the roller coaster – having suffered from manic depression throughout his life.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest SNOOKER news, gossip and rumours
The 41-year-old has even consulted ‘Chimp Paradox’ psychiatrist Steve Peters, the guru who helped Sir Bradley Wiggins, Victoria Pendleton and Steven Gerrard to success throughout their careers.
O’Sullivan was asked by Victoria Derbyshire about trashing the Crucible dressing room at the 2016 Worlds in Sheffield.
He said: “I didn’t intentionally smash it up. Not many people know, but I’d had a massive workload, probably too much, I’d worked myself to the bone.
“Straight after that match I was driven down to London, I was in a hospital for four or five days. I was just physically exhausted and on a low.
“I think it was [a breakdown]. They just kind of helped me out. I had a few days in there, a little medication to try and get me going.
“It was touch and go as to whether I was going to take the second round match. It was only one of the doctors in there she said: ‘Try and take this medication to try and slow your mind down.’
“It worked and I played on Friday.”
MOST READ IN SPORT
However, O’Sullivan revealed he has learned to ride his highs and lows, embracing his psychological issues in professional sport and life.
Manic depression or bipolar disorder is diagnosed in about 1 per cent of UK adults according to the NHS.
Patients can become extremely high and overactive or alternatively feel low or lethargic.
He joked: “I love a breakdown. I’m so used to dragging myself up from a low. I’ve done it all my life. Sometimes I know that once I get to the bottom I’m just going to fly up again.
“I’ve managed to even myself out.
“The low doesn’t bother me, because I’ve been so low I know I can come out of it. I don’t worry so much.
“It’s just the chance to respond or what not. It’s always been the way with me, so I don’t worry about it like some people would.”
Leave a comment