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Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has opened up on a host of mental health disorders that he has been suffering from for some time now. The former New South Wales cricketer has claimed to have been struggling with sadness and lack of motivation.
One of the most successful middle-order batters for Australia in Tests and ODIs, Clarke has had a troubled personal life. He mysteriously called off his engagement with Lara Bingle. The 43-year-old and Kyly Boldy announced their separation in February 2020 after marrying in May 2012. On the health front, the Aussie had skin cancer removed from his forehead in September 2019.
Speaking on the Mental As Anyone podcast, Clarke said sadness has hit him quite hard at times but added that he has never gone for a diagnosis or taken medication. He explained:
"I have never been checked, I think it is a given. It is like ADD, it’s a given. Definitely, ask my parents, you don’t need to take me to a doctor. I’ve certainly been extremely sad, devastated, floored, can’t move for days can’t get out of bed. Losing family members, losing a couple of my closest friends, so I think I’ve felt the deepest of sadness, but I think it was sadness. I don’t know if it was depression. I’ve never gone to a doctor to be diagnosed with depression, for example, or to seek medication for depression."
Former Aussie opener Phillip Hughes' death in 2014 left Clarke quite distraught. The 115-Test veteran notably delivered a speech during his funeral, but could barely finish it as he broke down.
Michael Clarke has taken up commentary after finishing his international career
Meanwhile, the 43-year-old has taken up commentary after retiring from international cricket in 2015. He has commentated in the 2022 T20 World Cup, the 2023 World Cup, and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Clarke finished his ODI career by captaining Australia to the 2015 World Cup and played a match-winning knock of 74 in the final against New Zealand.
