Dartitis is a psychological condition that affects some darts players, preventing them from releasing the dart when they throw. Former professional darts champion Kevin Painter, who has been throwing darts for nearly 40 years, recently experienced this debilitating issue. Despite his successful career, which included winning over £900,000 in prize money, he found himself unable to let go of the dart during a match. “You’re in shock,” he recalled, describing the moment when his arm simply would not cooperate. This condition, as explained by Dr. Linda Duffy, a psychology professor, is purely psychological and can affect anyone, regardless of their skill level.
The experiences of players suffering from dartitis can vary significantly. Jack Langston, a darts referee and content creator, first encountered the condition at the age of 12. Initially, he noticed a slight pause before releasing the dart, but this hesitation escalated to the point where it took him an entire minute to throw just three darts. By the age of 13, he felt compelled to abandon his darts career, feeling demoralized by his inability to perform against opponents he knew he could beat. The mental struggle associated with dartitis can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of defeat and frustration.
While there is no single cause of dartitis, many players attribute its onset to anxiety and fear of failure. Dr. Duffy emphasizes that dartitis is not unique to darts; rather, it is a cognitive disorder similar to other anxiety-related conditions. She advocates for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an effective treatment approach, encouraging players to reframe their experience with dartitis as a challenge to overcome. Kevin Painter has been exploring various therapeutic options, including hypnotherapy, in an effort to conquer this condition.
Hypnotherapy, as practiced by Chris O’Connor, aims to instill confidence and motivation in players suffering from dartitis. During sessions, clients are guided into a trance where they visualize improvements in their performance. After eight sessions, Painter initially felt he had overcome dartitis, but the condition resurfaced during a televised match, leading to renewed disappointment. He continues to work with O’Connor to find a long-term solution, demonstrating the ongoing struggle many players face with this mental health issue.
In contrast, Jack Langston found success by switching to throwing darts with his left hand. This decision transformed his approach to the game, allowing him to compete successfully in amateur tournaments without the need for alcohol to manage his nerves. His experience illustrates that recovery from dartitis is possible, and he has since embraced a healthier lifestyle. Similarly, Kevin Painter has started to reduce his alcohol consumption, showing his commitment to overcoming dartitis. Both players highlight the importance of support and communication in dealing with mental health challenges in sports.
Original news source: Dartitis: The condition where you try to throw a dart – but can’t (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
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📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | dartitis | A psychological condition affecting darts players, preventing them from releasing the dart |
| 2 | debilitating | Causing a loss of strength or energy, making it difficult to function |
| 3 | cooperate | To work together or comply with someone or something |
| 4 | hesitation | A pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear |
| 5 | demoralized | Feeling a loss of confidence or hope |
| 6 | cognitive | Related to mental processes such as thinking, understanding, and learning |
| 7 | therapy | Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder |
| 8 | hypnotherapy | A type of therapy that uses hypnosis to help with mental health issues |
| 9 | trance | A state of deep relaxation or focused attention |
| 10 | visualize | To form a mental image of something |
| 11 | resurfaced | To appear again after having disappeared |
| 12 | disappointment | A feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations |
| 13 | amateur | Engaging in a pursuit or activity for pleasure rather than for financial gain |
| 14 | consumption | The act of using or consuming something, such as food or drink |
| 15 | communication | The exchange of information or ideas between people |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In small groups, ask students to create catchy headlines for the article. Encourage them to think creatively and capture the essence of dartitis and its impact on players. Each group will present their headlines to the class.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Conduct a quick opinion poll in the class regarding mental health in sports. Prepare a few statements related to the article, such as “Mental health issues should be openly discussed in sports” or “Athletes should be given more support for psychological challenges.” Students will raise their hands to agree or disagree, and you can facilitate a brief discussion following the poll.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: Have students create a mind map based on the article. They should write “Dartitis” in the center and branch out with key concepts such as causes, effects, treatments, and personal experiences. This will help them visually organize the information and understand the relationships between different ideas.
– TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
Instructions: Students will write down two true statements and one false statement about the information presented in the article. They will then share their statements in pairs, and their partner must guess which one is the lie. This activity encourages comprehension and critical thinking.
– CHARADES
Instructions: Prepare a list of terms related to the article, such as “dartitis,” “hypnotherapy,” “anxiety,” “cognitive behavioral therapy,” and “mental health.” Students will take turns acting out these terms without speaking, while their classmates guess what they are trying to convey. This will enhance vocabulary retention and engage students in a fun, interactive way.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is dartitis and how does it affect darts players?
2. How did Kevin Painter describe his experience when he first encountered dartitis during a match?
3. What were the initial symptoms of dartitis that Jack Langston experienced at the age of 12?
4. According to Dr. Linda Duffy, what are some common psychological factors that can lead to the onset of dartitis?
5. What treatment approach does Dr. Duffy recommend for players suffering from dartitis?
6. How did hypnotherapy sessions with Chris O’Connor aim to help Kevin Painter with his dartitis?
7. What alternative strategy did Jack Langston adopt to overcome his struggles with dartitis?
8. In what ways have both Kevin Painter and Jack Langston demonstrated their commitment to addressing their mental health challenges in darts?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Dartitis is a psychological (1)______ that affects some darts (2)______, preventing them from releasing the dart when they throw. Former professional darts champion Kevin (3)______, who has been throwing darts for nearly 40 years, recently experienced this debilitating issue. Despite his successful career, which included winning over £900,000 in prize money, he found himself unable to let go of the dart during a match. “You’re in shock,” he recalled, describing the moment when his arm simply would not cooperate. This condition, as explained by Dr. Linda Duffy, a psychology (4)______, is purely psychological and can affect anyone, regardless of their skill level.
The experiences of players suffering from dartitis can vary significantly. Jack Langston, a (5)______ referee and content creator, first encountered the condition at the age of 12. Initially, he noticed a slight pause before releasing the dart, but this hesitation escalated to the point where it took him an entire minute to throw just three darts. By the age of 13, he felt (6)______ to abandon his darts career, feeling demoralized by his inability to perform against opponents he knew he could beat. The mental struggle associated with dartitis can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of defeat and frustration.
While there is no single cause of dartitis, many players attribute its (7)______ to anxiety and fear of (8)______. Dr. Duffy emphasizes that dartitis is not unique to darts; rather, it is a cognitive disorder similar to other anxiety-related conditions. She advocates for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an effective treatment approach, encouraging players to (9)______ their (10)______ with dartitis as a challenge to overcome. Kevin Painter has been exploring various therapeutic options, including hypnotherapy, in an effort to conquer this condition.
Hypnotherapy, as practiced by Chris (11)______, aims to (12)______ confidence and motivation in players suffering from dartitis. During sessions, clients are guided into a trance where they visualize improvements in their performance. After eight sessions, Painter initially felt he had overcome dartitis, but the condition resurfaced during a televised match, leading to renewed disappointment. He continues to work with O’Connor to find a long-term solution, demonstrating the ongoing struggle many players face with this mental health issue.
In contrast, Jack Langston found success by switching to throwing darts with his left hand. This decision transformed his (13)______ to the game, allowing him to compete successfully in amateur tournaments without the need for alcohol to manage his nerves. His experience illustrates that recovery from dartitis is possible, and he has since embraced a healthier (14)______. Similarly, (15)______ Painter has started to reduce his alcohol (16)______, showing his commitment to overcoming dartitis. Both players highlight the importance of support and communication in dealing with mental health challenges in sports.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on how mental health issues can impact performance in sports?
2. How would you feel if you were in a situation where you couldn’t perform a skill you had mastered?
3. Do you think that athletes should openly discuss their mental health struggles? Why or why not?
4. What is a common mental health challenge you think people face in competitive environments?
5. How do you think anxiety and fear of failure can be managed in high-pressure situations?
6. Do you like the idea of using hypnotherapy or similar techniques to overcome mental blocks? Why?
7. How would you feel if you had to change a fundamental aspect of your approach to a sport or activity to overcome a challenge?
8. Do you think that switching to a different technique or method can be an effective way to deal with mental blocks? Why or why not?
9. What is a personal experience where you had to overcome a mental barrier?
10. How important do you think support from friends and family is when dealing with mental health issues in sports?
11. Do you think cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a suitable treatment for everyone? Why or why not?
12. How would you feel if you were encouraged to visualize success as a way to improve your performance?
13. What is a way you cope with stress or anxiety in your own life?
14. Do you think that the stigma surrounding mental health in sports is changing? Why or why not?
15. How would you approach a friend who is struggling with a mental health issue related to their hobbies or interests?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. dartitis
2. debilitating
3. cooperate
4. hesitation
5. demoralized
6. cognitive
7. therapy
8. hypnotherapy
9. trance
10. visualize
11. resurfaced
12. disappointment
13. amateur
14. consumption
15. communication
Meanings:
(A) To appear again after having disappeared
(B) A psychological condition affecting darts players, preventing them from releasing the dart
(C) Feeling a loss of confidence or hope
(D) A state of deep relaxation or focused attention
(E) To form a mental image of something
(F) Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder
(G) A type of therapy that uses hypnosis to help with mental health issues
(H) The act of using or consuming something, such as food or drink
(I) Related to mental processes such as thinking, understanding, and learning
(J) Engaging in a pursuit or activity for pleasure rather than for financial gain
(K) A pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear
(L) To work together or comply with someone or something
(M) The exchange of information or ideas between people
(N) A feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations
(O) Causing a loss of strength or energy, making it difficult to function
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is dartitis?
(a) A physical injury from throwing darts
(b) A type of dart game
(c) A training technique for darts
(d) A psychological condition affecting darts players
2. Who is Kevin Painter?
(a) A former professional darts champion
(b) A darts referee
(c) A psychologist
(d) A darts coach
3. At what age did Jack Langston first encounter dartitis?
(a) 10
(b) 15
(c) 8
(d) 12
4. What treatment does Dr. Linda Duffy advocate for dartitis?
(a) Medication
(b) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
(c) Physical therapy
(d) Surgery
5. What technique does Chris O’Connor use in hypnotherapy for dartitis?
(a) Physical exercises
(b) Group therapy sessions
(c) Visualization of performance improvements
(d) Medication management
6. How did Jack Langston successfully cope with dartitis?
(a) By quitting darts entirely
(b) By switching to throwing darts with his left hand
(c) By increasing his alcohol consumption
(d) By practicing more frequently
7. What has Kevin Painter started to reduce in his lifestyle?
(a) Alcohol consumption
(b) Physical training
(c) Practice time
(d) Social interactions
8. What does the article suggest about the mental health challenges in sports?
(a) They can be ignored
(b) They only affect amateur players
(c) They require support and communication
(d) They are easily overcome with practice
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. The encounters of players with dartitis can differ, with some facing a sudden increase in hesitation before releasing the dart.
2. Anxiety and fear of failure are commonly attributed as triggers for the onset of dartitis among players.
3. Kevin Painter, a retired professional darts champion, has not been impacted by dartitis despite a successful career and substantial prize money earnings.
4. Jack Langston successfully overcame dartitis by switching to throwing darts with his left hand, allowing him to compete without the need for alcohol to manage his nerves.
5. Neither Kevin Painter nor Jack Langston stress the significance of support and communication in dealing with mental health challenges in sports.
6. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended as an effective treatment for dartitis, helping players reframe their experiences.
7. Dartitis is a psychological condition that affects darts players, making it difficult for them to release the dart when throwing.
8. Dr. Linda Duffy, a psychology professor, characterizes dartitis as a cognitive disorder distinct from other anxiety-related conditions.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!
1. What are the psychological effects of dartitis on players like Kevin Painter and Jack Langston?
2. How does anxiety contribute to the onset of dartitis according to Dr. Linda Duffy?
3. What treatment methods are being explored by players suffering from dartitis, and how effective are they?
4. In what ways did Jack Langston’s approach to playing darts change after experiencing dartitis?
5. How do Kevin Painter and Jack Langston demonstrate the importance of support and communication in overcoming mental health challenges in sports?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is dartitis and how does it affect darts players?
Dartitis is a psychological condition that affects some darts players, preventing them from releasing the dart when they throw. It can cause significant mental struggle, leading to feelings of defeat and frustration.
2. How did Kevin Painter describe his experience when he first encountered dartitis during a match?
Kevin Painter described his experience as being in shock, explaining that his arm simply would not cooperate, preventing him from letting go of the dart during the match.
3. What were the initial symptoms of dartitis that Jack Langston experienced at the age of 12?
Jack Langston initially noticed a slight pause before releasing the dart, which escalated to the point where it took him an entire minute to throw just three darts.
4. According to Dr. Linda Duffy, what are some common psychological factors that can lead to the onset of dartitis?
Many players attribute the onset of dartitis to anxiety and fear of failure, which are common psychological factors associated with this condition.
5. What treatment approach does Dr. Duffy recommend for players suffering from dartitis?
Dr. Duffy recommends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an effective treatment approach, encouraging players to reframe their experience with dartitis as a challenge to overcome.
6. How did hypnotherapy sessions with Chris O’Connor aim to help Kevin Painter with his dartitis?
Hypnotherapy sessions aimed to instill confidence and motivation in Painter by guiding him into a trance where he could visualize improvements in his performance.
7. What alternative strategy did Jack Langston adopt to overcome his struggles with dartitis?
Jack Langston found success by switching to throwing darts with his left hand, which allowed him to compete successfully in amateur tournaments.
8. In what ways have both Kevin Painter and Jack Langston demonstrated their commitment to addressing their mental health challenges in darts?
Kevin Painter has started to reduce his alcohol consumption and continues to work with a therapist, while Jack Langston has embraced a healthier lifestyle and successfully competed without relying on alcohol to manage his nerves.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) condition
(2) players
(3) Painter
(4) professor
(5) darts
(6) compelled
(7) onset
(8) failure
(9) reframe
(10) experience
(11) O’Connor
(12) instill
(13) approach
(14) lifestyle
(15) Kevin
(16) consumption
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. dartitis
Answer: (B) A psychological condition affecting darts players, preventing them from releasing the dart
2. debilitating
Answer: (O) Causing a loss of strength or energy, making it difficult to function
3. cooperate
Answer: (L) To work together or comply with someone or something
4. hesitation
Answer: (K) A pause or delay due to uncertainty or fear
5. demoralized
Answer: (C) Feeling a loss of confidence or hope
6. cognitive
Answer: (I) Related to mental processes such as thinking, understanding, and learning
7. therapy
Answer: (F) Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder
8. hypnotherapy
Answer: (G) A type of therapy that uses hypnosis to help with mental health issues
9. trance
Answer: (D) A state of deep relaxation or focused attention
10. visualize
Answer: (E) To form a mental image of something
11. resurfaced
Answer: (A) To appear again after having disappeared
12. disappointment
Answer: (N) A feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations
13. amateur
Answer: (J) Engaging in a pursuit or activity for pleasure rather than for financial gain
14. consumption
Answer: (H) The act of using or consuming something, such as food or drink
15. communication
Answer: (M) The exchange of information or ideas between people
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is dartitis?
Answer: (d) A psychological condition affecting darts players
2. Who is Kevin Painter?
Answer: (a) A former professional darts champion
3. At what age did Jack Langston first encounter dartitis?
Answer: (d) 12
4. What treatment does Dr. Linda Duffy advocate for dartitis?
Answer: (b) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
5. What technique does Chris O’Connor use in hypnotherapy for dartitis?
Answer: (c) Visualization of performance improvements
6. How did Jack Langston successfully cope with dartitis?
Answer: (b) By switching to throwing darts with his left hand
7. What has Kevin Painter started to reduce in his lifestyle?
Answer: (a) Alcohol consumption
8. What does the article suggest about the mental health challenges in sports?
Answer: (c) They require support and communication
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. The encounters of players with dartitis can differ, with some facing a sudden increase in hesitation before releasing the dart. (Answer: False)
2. Anxiety and fear of failure are commonly attributed as triggers for the onset of dartitis among players. (Answer: True)
3. Kevin Painter, a retired professional darts champion, has not been impacted by dartitis despite a successful career and substantial prize money earnings. (Answer: False)
4. Jack Langston successfully overcame dartitis by switching to throwing darts with his left hand, allowing him to compete without the need for alcohol to manage his nerves. (Answer: True)
5. Neither Kevin Painter nor Jack Langston stress the significance of support and communication in dealing with mental health challenges in sports. (Answer: False)
6. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended as an effective treatment for dartitis, helping players reframe their experiences. (Answer: True)
7. Dartitis is a psychological condition that affects darts players, making it difficult for them to release the dart when throwing. (Answer: True)
8. Dr. Linda Duffy, a psychology professor, characterizes dartitis as a cognitive disorder distinct from other anxiety-related conditions. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
