Michael Phelps, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has revealed that severe anxiety and depression for much of his life drove him to consider suicide.
Camera IconMichael Phelps, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has revealed that severe anxiety and depression for much of his life drove him to consider suicide. Credit: AFP

Michael Phelps reveals depression battle nearly drove him to suicide after 2012 Olympic Games

Staff WriterNews Corp Australia

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OLYMPIC legend Michael Phelps has revealed how his battle with severe anxiety and depression nearly drove him to suicide after the 2012 London Games.

Phelps told a mental health conference in Chicago he rock bottom after the 2012 Games, remaining in his room for four days without food or sleep.

“After every Olympics I think I fell into a major state of depression,” the 23-time Olympic gold medallist said.

“I didn’t want to be in the sport anymore,” he said. “I didn’t want to be alive.”

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Swimming champion Michael Phelps has talked openly about his long battle with crippling depression and is encouraging others to get help like he did.
Camera IconSwimming champion Michael Phelps has talked openly about his long battle with crippling depression and is encouraging others to get help like he did. Credit: AFP

“We’re supposed to be this big, macho, physically strong human beings, but this is not a weakness,” he said. “We are seeking and reaching for help.”

Phelps won his first gold medal in 2004 at the Athens Olympic Games. That same year, as a 15-year-old, he said he experienced his first “depression spell”, The Telegraph reports.

His mental health issues led to him abusing drugs and alcohol when he was older, the Olympic champ said.

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The swimmer wants to remove the stigma around mental illness.
Camera IconThe swimmer wants to remove the stigma around mental illness. Credit: AFP

Phelps said as he got older his depression led to his abusing drugs and alcohol.

“It would be just me self-medicating myself, basically daily, to try to fix whatever it was that I was trying to run from,” he said.

The swimming legend told CNN he wants to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.

Michael Phelps after winning gold at the London Olympic Games for the Men's 4x100m medley Relay Final. The swimmer hit rock bottom after the event.
Camera IconMichael Phelps after winning gold at the London Olympic Games for the Men's 4x100m medley Relay Final. The swimmer hit rock bottom after the event. Credit: Supplied

“(Mental illness) has a stigma around it and that’s something we still deal with every day,” he said.

“I think people actually finally understand it is real. People are talking about it and I think this is the only way that it can change.”

Phelps married his longtime love Nicole Johnson in Mexico in October 2016. The pair are now expecting their second child, a younger sibling for their toddler son Boomer.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.