I am not a doctor or a psychologist, and yet despite Donald Glover’s protestations otherwise, I feel fairly confident in the fact that Glover is actually depressed. On Monday, he posted a series of notes to Instagram, in which he denied that he quit Community to focus on his rap career. He quit, he noted, because he’s been feeling sick. He feels “helpless.” He’s “afraid of the future,” and he’s “afraid he will let people down” he’s afraid that “Dan Harmon hates him,” and he feels lonely.
But he’s not depressed?
Glover explained to People what he was feeling when he posted those notes earlier this week.
That night, we had a show, and then afterwards, I had this moment of feeling like, ‘What’s the point? Why am I even here?’ ” Glover told PEOPLE exclusively Wednesday. “I just wanted to write down my feelings. I definitely was just expressing myself.”
“If I’m depressed, everybody’s depressed,” he says. “I don’t think those feelings are that different from what everybody’s feeling. Most people just don’t tell everybody.”
“I was just tired of telling people I was tired. It felt like every day someone would ask, ‘What’s wrong. Are you OK?’ ” says Glover. “And I would say, ‘I’m tired, I’m tired.’ I didn’t want to do that anymore. I guess sometimes not telling the truth is just as bad as telling a lie.”
Does that not sound like a depressed guy? Here are some symptoms of depressions:
1. Fatigue and decreased energy.
Glover: “I was tired of telling people I was tired.”
2. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
Glover: “This is the first time I’ve felt helpless.” “I’m afraid people hate who I really am. I’m afraid I’m here for nothing.”
3. Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Glover: “I’m afraid I’ll let everyone down.” “I’m afraid my show will fail.”
4. Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable
Glover: Quits the show he once loved.
5. Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Glover: “I’m tired. I’m tired.”
6. Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
Glover: “I’m afraid I’m here for nothing.” “I’m scared I won’t know anything ever again.”
That sounds an awful lot like depression to me, and all I can think is: Dude. Get some help. Glover is a wicked talented guy with an incredible future ahead of him, and he needs to be able to recognize this about himself. I’m not saying the notes he posted to Instagram were a cry for help, but they were totally a cry for help. The man’s whole brain is crying.
(via)
