London, April 6 (IANS) British cycling star Mark Cavendish has revealed he successfully came out of a two-year battle with clinical depression, saying he was “dark” but is now on the “other side”.
“It’s not just been my physical health which has been dealt a blow over the last couple of years,” he told The Times as quoted by france24.com.
“I’ve battled quite hard with depression during this time
“I was diagnosed with clinical depression in August 2018.”
Cavendish said he refused to take anti-depressants but did seek expert counselling.
“I didn’t take any medication,” he said.
The Tour de France, where the 34-year-old is four stage wins away from equalling Belgian legend Eddie Mercx’s record of 34 stage victories, is now due to start on June 27 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Like, this isn’t the time or place — we’ll do a thing on it at some point — but I received help.
“I was dark. And I’m on the other side, thank you.
“Well, as much as I can be. I think I’ve come out of that. And it’s nice to have come out of that.
“And to look for the positives.”
He said he is getting to spend time with his kids during this break which is a silver lining during hard times.
“It could have been easy for me to go through my whole career and only see the kids once they’re teenagers,” said the father of three and who has a stepson.
“So to be able to absorb this… to be able to do what mums and dads do, it keeps me happy, it keeps me super motivated, and it keeps me sane I guess.”
–IANS
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