Marko Hietala Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles and ADHD Diagnosis After Leaving Nightwish

In⁤ a deeply personal interview with Metal Global’s Jorge ⁤Botas, Marko Hietala,⁣ teh​ former bassist and vocalist‍ of the iconic symphonic metal band Nightwish, revealed the⁣ mental health ⁢challenges that led to his‍ departure⁤ from ‌the band four years ago. His candid reflections ⁤shed light⁢ on the toll of depression, anxiety, and ⁤a recent ADHD diagnosis that reshaped his understanding of his struggles.

Hietala’s decision to leave Nightwish in 2021 was not just about stepping away from⁢ the band but a complete​ withdrawal from his ​professional and personal life. “Of course. I was regretting it already when​ I was‍ leaving. But‍ it was not just Nightwish.I’ve said this quite a few times,⁢ that ⁤I actually left everything,” he shared.

The ⁤musician’s battle with depression and ‌anxiety had been a​ constant companion, worsening over the years. ⁤“My trouble ⁣with depression and ⁣anxiety was‌ constant. it ⁤just wouldn’t go away and have‍ gotten worse ​and worse and worse during the ⁢years,” he‍ explained. The breaking point came when the band began planning post-COVID tours. “I grit my teeth and held​ on until I felt that — yeah,it was when COVID was over,started to be over,and they said that,‘Okay,we got these plans for the spring and then these plans for ⁤touring’ and all that.And ‌then I kind of realized, ‘I don’t want to go. I’m feeling too ‌bad. And ​if ⁤I go on the road, it’s just gonna ⁤be a​ stress. I’m‍ gonna be alone.’” ‌

Seeking solace, Hietala retreated to⁤ Spain with his wife and⁤ dog, distancing himself from the pressures of his life. “I wanna⁣ leave everything, ‌all the responsibilities, everything.I need to ‌find out​ what’s wrong with me,” he⁤ said. During this ⁣period of introspection, he began ⁣therapy sessions with psychiatrists in Spain and Finland. It was ‌during these discussions that ⁤a ‌potential clarification⁤ for his struggles ‍emerged: ⁢ADHD.

“One of ⁢them just suggested that ‘you ‍might have ADHD,’” Hietala recalled. Initially skeptical,he researched the condition and⁤ found it resonated deeply with his experiences. “It’s that feeling of difference​ that you do not match the other people’s capabilities of handling their daily tasks or ⁣whatever. And I was ⁤just always lost — everything was a mess and all that. And what do​ you no? There it is​ — the ADHD.”

The diagnosis was a turning point for hietala, offering clarity and relief. “Yeah, as ‌now I know. It’s a relief to know that there are things‌ in your‍ history ⁢and in yourself that you‍ just cannot help. That’s⁣ what⁢ you are,” he said. This understanding⁢ allowed ‍him to forgive himself ​for past mistakes and regrets. “so a lot⁤ of kind of guilt about things that‌ were left undone or unsaid or went straight to hell from the things⁢ you⁤ did and said, suddenly you find out that, okay, actually, no matter how ⁣much you wish‌ you would have acted differently, you ⁢couldn’t, with the knowledge you had that ⁣time… And you can forgive yourself for the shit. And then‌ again, you can ⁣also forgive quite a lot ⁤of other people for not understanding.”

Today,Hietala feels a weight lifted off his shoulders.⁢ “So,​ yeah, it’s ​a relief. ⁣You get a load off your chest,” he said. His journey highlights the importance of mental health awareness‍ and the transformative power of understanding one’s⁣ own struggles.

| Key Takeaways | ‍
|——————–| ⁣
| Marko ⁢Hietala ‌ left Nightwish in 2021 due to worsening depression and anxiety. |
| He retreated to Spain to escape the pressures of his life and ⁤began ⁣therapy. |
| A psychiatrist suggested ‍he might have ADHD, a‍ diagnosis he later⁤ confirmed. |
| The diagnosis provided clarity and allowed​ him‌ to forgive himself for past ⁢regrets. |
| Hietala now feels a sense of relief⁣ and understanding about his mental health struggles. |

For more⁤ insights into Hietala’s journey, watch the full interview ⁤ here.

Want more metal news? Subscribe to‌ our daily newsletter for the ⁤latest updates and headlines in⁣ the world of metal.

Marko Hietala Opens ‍Up About Mental ⁤Health Struggles and‍ ADHD⁤ Diagnosis After Leaving Nightwish

In a deeply personal interview with Metal Global’s Jorge Botas, Marko hietala, the former ⁣bassist‍ and vocalist of the ‍iconic symphonic metal band Nightwish, revealed the‍ mental‍ health challenges that led​ to his departure from ‌the band four years ​ago. His candid reflections shed light on the toll ​of depression, anxiety, and a recent ADHD diagnosis that reshaped his ⁣understanding of⁣ his struggles.

The Decision to leave Nightwish

Jorge Botas: Marko, your decision to leave Nightwish in ⁤2021 was ​a ‍shock to many fans. Can you tell ‌us more about what led to that decision?

Marko Hietala: Of‌ course. I was ⁣regretting ⁣it ‍already when I was leaving. But it was ⁤not just Nightwish. I’ve said this quite a few times,​ that I actually left everything. My ⁢trouble​ with depression and anxiety was ⁤constant. It just wouldn’t go away and had ‍gotten worse and ⁣worse during ​the years. The breaking point came when the band began planning post-COVID tours. I grit ⁢my teeth and held on until I felt ​that — ‍yeah,it was when COVID was over,started ‌to be over,and they‌ said‌ that,‘Okay,we got these plans for‌ the⁢ spring and⁣ then these plans ⁣for touring’ and​ all that. And then I kind ‍of realized, ‘I‌ don’t want to go. I’m feeling ‍too bad. And​ if I go on⁤ the road, it’s⁤ just gonna be a stress.I’m gonna be alone.’

Seeking Solace in⁣ Spain

Jorge Botas: ⁣After leaving the band, you retreated to​ Spain. What​ was that experience like for you?

marko Hietala: I ​wanna⁣ leave everything, all‌ the responsibilities, everything.‍ I need to find out what’s ‌wrong ⁤with me. During‌ this period of introspection, I began‍ therapy sessions with psychiatrists⁤ in Spain and Finland. ⁢It was during these discussions‌ that​ a potential clarification for my struggles emerged: ADHD.

The ADHD diagnosis

Jorge Botas: ⁤ How did you⁣ react when a psychiatrist suggested you might have ADHD?

Marko⁤ Hietala: One of ‍them just suggested that⁤ ‘you might have ADHD.’⁤ Initially skeptical, I⁢ researched the‌ condition and⁢ found it resonated deeply with my experiences.‌ It’s that feeling of difference that you do not match the other people’s ⁢capabilities of handling their daily tasks or whatever. And I was just always ⁣lost‌ —⁣ everything was a mess ​and all that. And⁤ what do you know? There⁤ it is indeed — the ADHD.

Clarity and Forgiveness

Jorge Botas: How ​has the diagnosis changed your​ perspective on your past struggles?

Marko Hietala: ⁢ Yeah, as now I know.It’s a relief to know that there​ are⁢ things‌ in your ⁢history and in yourself that ⁤you‍ just cannot help. That’s what you are. This⁣ understanding allowed ⁣me⁣ to forgive ⁢myself for past mistakes and regrets. So a lot of ⁤kind of guilt about things that​ were left undone or unsaid or went ‌straight to hell from the ⁢things you did ⁤and said, suddenly you find ⁤out that, okay, actually,⁣ no matter how much you ‍wish ​you would have acted ‌differently, you couldn’t, with the knowlege you had that time… And you can forgive⁤ yourself⁢ for the shit. And then again, you can also forgive quite⁢ a lot of other ‍people for not understanding.

A Weight lifted

Jorge ‍Botas: How do you feel ‍now, after this journey⁤ of self-discovery?

Marko Hietala: So, yeah, it’s a relief. You get a load off your chest. ⁣His journey ⁤highlights ​the‌ importance of ‌mental health awareness and the‍ transformative power of understanding one’s own struggles.

Conclusion

Marko Hietala’s candid conversation with Metal Global’s Jorge ​Botas sheds light on the mental health ⁤challenges that led to ‌his⁣ departure from Nightwish and his subsequent ADHD diagnosis.‍ His journey underscores ⁣the importance ⁢of mental health awareness and the power of‍ self-forgiveness.

For more insights⁢ into Hietala’s ⁤journey, watch the full interview here.

Want more metal news? Subscribe to our daily newsletter⁤ for ​the latest ⁤updates and⁣ headlines in the world ⁢of ⁣metal.