Ian Thorpe's manager James Erskine has called on the media to give the five-time Olympic swimming champion "space" after he was admitted to rehab.

The 31-year-old was taken to Bankstown hospital by police this week after he was spotted looking disoriented while standing by someone's car in Panania.

Erskine, who has confirmed that Thorpe is suffering from depression, stated that last week's reports claiming that the sportsman was in rehab for alcohol abuse "upset" him.

"There is no doubt about it, the false reports did upset him," Erskine told Fairfax Media.

"I'm not saying it sent him in a downward spiral but it did upset him. He didn't go to rehab. That's the truth. Everyone has to give him some space."

Thorpe, who failed to make the Australian team for London 2012 following a comeback in 2011, has been open about his previous struggles with depression.