Hugh Laurie Regrets Speaking Out About His Struggles With Depression
Posted on 02. Apr, 2009 by CSS in Depression, Entertainment, Interview, Quoting
Last year, Hugh Laurie really opened up about his battle with depression. He was extremely honest about the daily and yearly struggles he’s faced, and many applauded him for speaking with such eloquence and candor. As it turns out, Hugh regrets being so forthcoming and honest. He gave an interview to Parade Magazine (quotes via Showbiz Spy) in which he says he wishes he’d kept his mouth shut. He thinks, in retrospect, it sounded like whining from someone who lives a very privileged life. I disagree, but I do see his point:
Hugh Laurie regrets divulging details about his battle with depression – because it riles him when other celebrities whinge about their privileged lives.
The British star recently revealed he was once so low he sought treatment in the mid-1990s – and immediately wished he hadn’t been so forthcoming with details about his personal life.
He tells Parade magazine, “I wish I’d kept my mouth shut about that… Now an undue weight has been given to this aspect of my life.”
“I don’t like to be thought of as this guy who has nothing else to talk about except how miserable my lot was.”
“I remember watching Mel Gibson on some show once, and he was being asked about his belief in the afterlife. Gibson said, ‘Well, I can’t believe this is all there is.’ And I thought, ‘Wait a minute. You’re Mel Gibson. You have millions of dollars. You’re a great-looking chap with every conceivable blessing that could be bestowed upon a man. And that’s not good enough?’”
“So you can see why I’m hesitant to talk about any trivial pain I have. I find myself going, ‘Oh, for God’s sake, Hugh. Pull yourself together.’”
“I do know depression is a disease… It is the last great taboo – something people still don’t want to talk about.”
From Showbiz Spy
I can understand how Hugh would, in an attempt to be self-deprecating, refer to his own battle with depression as “trivial pain.” But I doubt that’s how it really feels to him, or to the millions of people who are really struggling. I do see his point, though. It will be difficult for some to see anything but a fraud or a whiner with a rich and famous actor trying to educate about depression. I still love him, though!
