David Harbour Opens Up About Shame, Stress and Mental Health
David Harbour said he experienced a mental health “breakdown” in 2025 and spoke openly about how bipolar disorder can affect his behavior during periods of extreme stress.
People reported that the 51-year-old Stranger Things actor made the comments in a recent interview, where he described the experience as painful, confusing and embarrassing.
In that interview, Harbour said he suffers from mental health issues that can be “confusing as hell,” especially for the people around someone who is depressed, manic or going through an episode.
He also said extreme stress can cause “somewhat erratic behavior,” which he described as “embarrassing” and something he does not choose.
Harbour describes the shame around mental illness
In the interview, he said he would not wish the condition on his “worst enemy,” which is a blunt way to describe how difficult bipolar disorder can feel for the person living with it.
People also stated that Harbour also pushed back on what he called “irresponsible nonsense” in public conversations about mental health.
That point is important because mental health can get flattened online. One person’s difficult behavior becomes a headline. Another person’s diagnosis becomes a debate.
Harbour seemed to be saying there’s more going on beneath the surface, even when the behavior itself is painful or hard to explain.
When did David Harbour’s bipolar diagnosis begin?
Harbour has spoken before about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 25. The WTF with Marc Maron episode featuring Harbour was released in June 2018, and its episode description references his experiences with anxiety, mania, sobriety and building his identity before Stranger Things made him widely known.
People also previously reported that Harbour said he began taking medication after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and that he has struggled at times with going on and off medication.
What is bipolar disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. These changes can affect a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
The American Psychiatric Association states that bipolar disorders involve intense mood episodes that can last from days to weeks. Those episodes may be manic, hypomanic or depressive.
That’s why casual language can be risky. Being moody is not the same thing as having bipolar disorder. A real diagnosis needs a medical professional.
Symptoms families may notice
Mental Health America adds that symptoms of bipolar disorder generally fall into two categories, mania and depression. Manic symptoms can include unusually high energy, less need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive decisions or behavior that seems out of character.
Depressive symptoms can look very different. A person may feel very sad, hopeless, slowed down, tired, unable to focus or uninterested in things they usually enjoy. Some people may also have thoughts of death or suicide during depressive episodes.
For families, that swing can be the confusing part. Someone may seem energized and restless during one period, then withdrawn and low during another.
When to call a doctor
Call a doctor or mental health professional when mood changes affect sleep, work, relationships, spending, judgment, safety or normal routines.
The Mayo Clinic highlights that bipolar disorder is often treated with medication and talk therapy, and that following a treatment plan can help manage symptoms.
Urgent help is needed if someone seems unsafe, is acting in a way that could harm themselves or others, is showing signs of psychosis, or is talking about suicide.
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