Wentworth Miller stars as Captain Cold in the CW’s Legends of Tomorrow and will reprise his breakout role as Michael Scofield in Fox’s drama Prison Break next year. In order to pursue an acting career, Wentworth needed to overcome both his battle with depression and years of compulsive eating. Unfortunately, once Prison Break ended in 2009, his depression returned. After indulging in comfort eating to combat his depression, Wentworth was taunted online about his appearance. Instead of giving in, Wentworth opened up about his struggles and ultimately his sexuality all as a way to advocate for both mental-health and gender-identity issues.
On his reaction to the fat-shaming meme
“[I had] a very reactive experience. I was having a really strong emotional [response], and I needed to get it out.” [The creators of the meme] “didn’t have a clue what kinds of issues they were bringing up for me. And I think that’s a pretty common mistake.” [Online commenters] “have no idea what someone else is going through but [are] judging them anyway.”On coming out in 2013 while refusing to attend the St. Petersburg Film Festival
“I was grateful I was able to thread my [coming out] narrative into a larger one.”The tools he uses to stay mentally healthy
“I’m watchful when it comes to [things] like sleep. If I don’t sleep well, the next day I know I’m going to be tired and a little bit sensitive, and small things that wouldn’t normally upset me do. Now something’s in motion and it can snowball. I try to stay really aware of where I’m at. I don’t put pressure on myself to stay positive. Off days happen. It’s like, ‘I’m human. Keep moving.'”He’s an advocate for mental health and gender identity issues
“What you say matters less than getting the conversation started. Just letting [people] know they’re not alone can make a difference.”
[From People, print edition and premium]
I appreciate that Wentworth is giving people mocking his appearance online the benefit of the doubt by saying they are looking for a cheap laugh and not to deliver a paralyzing blow to the person targeted in their joke.
Depression is a heartless thief. Wetworth wrote in his Facebook post earlier this year, “I considered myself damaged goods,” which sums up the experience concisely, damaged goods incapable of being repaired. It takes a lot of strength to open up for the sake of others. After cycling out of an episode, generally all you want to do is leave it behind, kudos to him for keeping it present in order to help. Wentworth says he has not had a major depressive episode in about three years. That seems to be about my cycle too, three to four years. Having just cycled within the last year, I would like nothing more than to walk away from this topic but as Wentworth says, getting the conversation started is important.
Love him/his character in Legends of Tomorrow. Am going to go watch the first round of Prison Break on Netflix.
Hecate, best of luck with your own depression. Every time I read about Wentworth Miller, I am impressed by his honesty and humanity, because thinking of others is so rarely part of being a celebrity. I wish him the best and all success. And you too!
Seconded on both counts!
Wentworth Miller always seems so clearheaded about his struggles, which is so impressive considering I’m sure his head isn’t actually clear all the time. He is also a very talented writer, he wrote Stoker, which was an excellent atmospheric horror.
Also, Hecate consistently makes me laugh, and I’m so blown away that she does that while struggling with something which can really take, take, take all your positivity.
👏👏👏
“I considered myself damaged goods.” That’s exactly it. That’s how I feel too when I’m having a particularly down day, but it’s there in the background always. Like there’s something irreparably wrong and damaged inside. Glad he mentioned that sleep aspect — a good reminder. Good to hear he’s doing better.
i have insomnia since i was a kid. for years i thought it’s normal to sometimes just not sleep or sleep very little. i also thought it’s normal to feel rather blue and melancholic, to always long for something without knowing what it is. imagine my teenage surprise to find out that most people like themselves and they go to bed and fall asleep, just like that.
sleeplessness and depression are linked via serotonine-levels right? anyway, those non-depressive people are missing out on some deeply beautiful meloncholic moments, but in comparison, they sleep like babies. and i guess they like themselves. so for that i hate them 🙂
Thanks for posting, love him, and sharing your struggles, too. Last summer was a horrible low point for me but things are much better now. I have described it as living with a broken limb that never really heals. I can function and do fine, but there’s that added burden that’s always present.
I’m not as worried about myself as I am about my teenage son, whose struggles with depression and anxiety are far greater than mine have ever been. Hearing from other people, especially high profile ones, though, does help him feel like he’s less alone.
Love him, and wish him the best. Same to you, Esmom and to your son. I have somehow managed to stay out of the black depression pit for a few years but I see the anxiety in my son – luckily not full blown depression but it’s scary because I know how easily one can transition from a regular, no big deal kind of day to a really bad place. Stay strong! I think the teenage years can be tough anyway for most kids, but the ones who worry and stress have it worse, that’s for sure…
Thanks, vauvert. It’s a roller coaster for sure. Right now I’m hanging in there, mostly on pins and needles, hoping his slow upswing continues. Best to you.
That man is gorgeous. I once went to a wine tasting, had too much and almost hit on a look-alike limo driver. Thank God for eyeglasses and good friends. Once I had the glasses on – Wentworth turned into an extremely unattractive man with a really bad case of acne. The only thing I took home that night was some wine.
It’s been so great to have him and KBell talking openly and unashamedly about their mental health struggles. Very brave of them and ultimately, I hope, freeing.
I’ve had depression for 25 years now, and I’m only starting to realize that it might have been long cycles of major depression all along and not just dysthymia, so I’m having to reevaluate my own perceptions of myself and my illness. It helps a lot to have other people, even other commenters, say they’ve had similar experiences.
He is so adorable. I wish him all the best. Someone does need to talk about depression and anxiety because it affects a great number of people, and it can be difficult and expensive to get help. My daughter has anxiety and finding someone who takes insurance is not easy.
This is wonderful to read. I hope more people in the public eye open up about their mental struggles & future generations will not have to deal with the stigma around mental illness.
Thanks for posting this Hecate!! <3
I love what he said about not putting pressure on himself to be positive, and I hope I’ll remember that. I had severe depression when I was younger. While it has smoothed out ALOT I still do put pressure on myself. I have people in my life who are very positive, and I am happy for them. I try to be grateful, but I can’t get with the the idea that everything happens for a reason, or the belief that everything works out in the end. Because it doesn’t, for so many people. So there are days I can’t wake up beaming because the sun is shining…and that’s ok.
<3
I´ve had two depressions, the last one nine years ago, when I was on maternity leave with my daughter. I know the feeling Wentworth is voicing, its a thought pattern that tries to beat you down with constant negative thoughts about yourself. I deal with it everyday and find it helpfull to take note of the thoughts, but not alowing them to have the right to define me. I try to find three positive thoughts, when the negative thoughts tries to push their way in.