Success Saturday - Pete Davidson
Pete Davison is a superstar by most peoples standards. Money, fame, romance and influence. His list of successful tv shows and films is long and seems to keep growing. To mention a few: SNL, Set It Up, Big Time Adolescence, The King of Staten Island, and The Suicide Squad. As well as a successful stand up comedian selling out crowds and making Netflix specials. His reported net worth is over $8million.
As much as acting, comedy and writing are a part of Pete’s life, his health, too, has been on the forefront of his identity and voice. Going down memory lane, the first blow came to his mental health after losing his father. Pete Davidson found it tough to confront his demons and deal with everything he was going through. Even before he turned ten, he struggled with mental health issues that began as early as nine. “I’ve been in and out of mental health facilities since I was 9.”
In a recent article with Variety’s annual Power of Young Hollywood issue, Pete shared, “I tried to drown myself in the pool when I was in the fourth or fifth grade. I was trying to get my head stuck in the ladder in the deep end, so I would not be able to get up.” Davisson lost his father, a Staten Island firefighter when he was seven years old during the 9/11 attacks. Learning about death so early in life can’t be easy on anyone, and it certainly took a toll on Pete. “If my dad didn’t die, I wouldn’t be a comic. I’d be a construction worker in Staten Island or a basketball coach. I learned what death was. And you’re not really supposed to learn about that until high school, when one of your friends falls asleep in the garage, or whatever,” he said.
Grunge shared his mother’s account of Pete’s difficult childhood. Amy said, “It was sad how sad he was growing up.” So deep was his sadness that he ended up pulling out all his hair in frustration. After the emotional debacle faced by his family, Pete was constantly in touch with physicians trying to understand children’s experiences of victims of the terror attacks. On remembering these days, Davidson admitted to thinking of himself in many ways as a “lab rat” for physicians. By the time Pete Davidson turned 17, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and established himself as a comedian. The condition took a toll and drew him to marijuana. Pete said, “My stomach would just be in pain all day, and I wouldn’t be able to eat, and then I’d smoke, I’d be able to eat and be able to do my shows.”
In a February 2020 interview with radio personality Charlamagne Tha God, Davidson described himself as “depressed, all the time.”
He elaborated: “I have to constantly bring myself out of it. I wake up depressed, but now I know my steps. I have to go outside and be in sun for a little bit, or go for a walk. It’s all just programming yourself to trick your brain. ...I hit (rock bottom) all the time.”
He explained that a lack of self-care and abusing drugs such as psychedelic mushrooms and LSD typically worsen his mental state. Sleeplessness only adds to the problem, as he said that it makes him “go a little nuts.” He has also experienced suicidal ideation but is grateful that he’s never acted on the impulse.
Davidson said that a strong support system, career, and friends help him manage his mental illness.
Davidson also has borderline personality disorder (BPD), characterized by fear of abandonment, impulsive behavior, feelings of emptiness, identity disturbance, self-harm, intense anger, and other symptoms. By discussing his diagnosis, experts say the entertainer has helped to destigmatize BPD.
Pete Davidson says depression follows him everywhere he goes.
When ask about his ability to have a successful relationship Pete responded with:
“Normally I wouldn’t comment on something like this ‘cause fuck you,” Davidson responded. “But I been hearing a lot of ‘people with BPD can’t be in relationships’ talk. I just wanna let you know that’s not true. Just because someone has a mental illness does not mean they can’t be happy and in a relationship. It also doesn’t mean that person makes the relationship toxic.”
Davidson then posted that he is getting help for his condition. “There are a lot of treatments for mental illness and I have done/am doing all of them. And I encourage those who struggle to seek help as well... it has changed my life for the better.”
In an Instagram posts, Davidson also spoke out against the stigma that many have against mental illness.
“I just think it’s fucked up to stigmatize people as crazy and say that they are unable to do stuff that anyone can do,” he continues. “It’s not their fault and it’s the wrong way for people to look at things. Mental illness is not a joke, it’s a real thing. There’s kids out there killing themselves. And it’s fucking horrific. For all those struggling, I want you to know that I love you and I understand you and it is going to be okay.”
“I’ve spoken about BPD [borderline personality disorder] and being suicidal publicly only in the hopes that it will help bring awareness and help kids like myself who don’t want to be on this earth. No matter how hard the internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself, I won’t.”
A few things Pete has taught us:
Own your illness but don’t identify as your illness. Pete is intentional about his mental health. But that is not who he is. He is an actor, a son, a friend, an advocate, a boy friend (oh hey Kim K) etc.
You can still chase dreams and be successful with a mental illness.
Being courageous, stepping out and sharing your story can offer others hope.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for more additional resources
Follow Petes example and share your story: https://forms.gle/toKiS2W7pUXpCFUw7
