Herschel Walker Reveals Personality Disorder

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NEW YORK (April 14) - Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker once played Russian roulette with a loaded pistol as he struggled with a personality disorder.

Coping With Mental Disorders

Herschel Walker has documented his struggle with dissociative identity disorder in his book "Breaking Free." However, the Heisman Trophy winner is not the only sports figure to battle a mental disorder. Source: AP

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Barret Robbins' NFL career ended in a psychiatric ward before Super Bowl XXXVII. Robbins, seen here in 2005, has received treatment for his bipolar disorder, but his present whereabouts are unknown. Source: USA Today

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The popular English boxer Frank Bruno was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003. Source: The Guardian

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Former Cowboy quarterback Quincy Carter washed out of the NFL and was treated for drug addiction and bipolar disorder in 2004. He still struggles with his drug addiction, but now plays football in the Arena Football League's minor league. Source: Shreveport Times

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Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Alonzo Spellman, who battles with bipolar disorder, has been in trouble with the law numerous times. Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Dolphins running back Ricky Williams' social anxiety disorder has played havoc with is football career. Williams hopes to return to the Dolphins depth chart this year. Source: CBS

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Steelers great Terry Bradshaw was diagnosed with clinical depression nine years ago. Source USA Today

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Pitcher Donnie Moore battled depression until his death in 1989 when he shot his wife, who surivied, and himself. Source: New York Times

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Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone got an endorsement deal with Pfizer after her public battle with depression. Source: SI

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Jimmy Piersall played for four teams during his 17 year MLB career. However, some might remember him better for his battle with bipolar disorder, which became the subject of the movie 'Fear Strikes Out.' Source: IMDB

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"To challenge death like I was doing, you start saying, there's a problem here," he said during an interview to be broadcast Monday night on ABC's "Nightline."

Walker suffers from dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. His experiences are chronicled in his book, "Breaking Free," which is released this week.

In an interview Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America", Walker's ex-wife, Cindy, said that she sometimes feared for her life around him.

"We were talking and the next thing I knew, he got a gun, and he put it to my temple," she recalls. When asked what Walker said to her while he had a gun to her head, Cindy replied, "I'm going to blow your [expletive] brains out."

The 46-year-old Walker was a star running back at Georgia and in the pros. He says he had the condition during his playing days but didn't realize it. He doesn't remember winning the Heisman in 1982 or darker events, such as threatening his then-wife.

Walker has been in treatment for eight years but doesn't take medication. He believes he has improved greatly.

"I've totally changed from back then to where I am today," he says.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.