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DJing, particularly if a lot of touring is involved, is not a walk in the park. The pressures can be extreme and difficult to manage. DJs don’t always make the right decisions about how to care for themselves while under those pressures, and the results can be disastrous.

Avicii, for instance, had to remove himself entirely from the scene not long after he made it big. Too much drinking and other poor lifestyle choices put him in hospital twice over a five year period. He was finally faced with a choice: take care of his mental health or die.

Sounds extreme, but ultimately, that’s how it goes down.

Erick Morillo had to take control of his ketamine addiction or lose an arm … which would certainly have impacted his ability to DJ. Benga had to take a couple of years off to deal with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

This list of DJs who have had to stop doing what they love because of mental health problems is a long one.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the party lifestyle offered by success. There’s alcohol, drugs, sex … quite literally, anything you want all around you all the time. Becoming rich and famous doesn’t create mental illness. Nor does an intense touring schedule. But, put it all together and it could mask or trigger problems that were already there.

The fact that anyone working in creative fields is more prone to mental health issues is no secret. The pressure we put on ourselves combines with the pressures put on us by others can be stifling. It’s amazing that anything creative gets done, really.

It’s not all bad news. There are ways to protect your mental health. Make sure you’re sleeping enough, eating properly, taking breaks from people and pressures, staying connected to your real support networks, like close family and friends. Stay away from competitive colleagues and internet trolls.

The only hard part to it is that you’re the only one who can take care of you. You have to step up and tell your promotors how much you can work. Mental health – whether good or bad – goes largely unseen until a crisis occurs. Don’t let it get to that stage. Seek support as soon as possible.