DOCTOR REACTS TO BOJACK HORSEMAN | Psychiatry Doctor Analyzes Depression on Bojack

I love Bojack Horseman. I truely believe it is one of the most accurate depictions of depression and addiction I have seen on a TV show. This episode focuses in on Bojack's depression, including how it makes him feel, think and act. There's also some interesting stuff about addiction and dementia too.
There are many shows that use mental illness as a basis for plots and characters, but often, it simply depicts cliches and stereotypes that can misrepresent what being mentally ill is really like. What's incredible about this episode is the non-stop internal monologue where you can see how Bojack's thoughts influence his emotions and his behaviour. It's accurate, real and respectful. Amazing!

[@craZgirl1091]

I think "insight doesn't equal change" might actually sum up the entire series XD

[@phoebegordon2444]

Agreed. Self-deprecation is not accountability.

[@machematix]

I should get that tattooed

[@od3910]

It sums up my entire life

[@1980rlquinn]

"It doesn't glamorize anything... but maybe it normalizes it." I always thought this quote was the most self-aware, not of any particular character, but of the series itself.

[@MichelangeloBeats]

Sums me up too

[@tiltingplanet2869]

I've never seen Mr. Peanut butter be described as having toxic positivity and that is such a good descriptor for him and his nonsense

[@tedarcher9120]

Toxic positivity, yes

[@leah6029]

Yup!! Total deflector

[@cameronmcguire1599]

Is that why I hate Mr. Peanutbutter so much? Could never pin down why, but this sounds correct

[@jubilantwolf9798]

@@cameronmcguire1599 I don't know if I outright hate Mr Peanutbutter but like he said, I wouldn't want to hang out with someone like him in real life.

[@narkivari7892]

Same tho

[@relaxationstation7634]

The nurse is a bear... making her a Care Bear. I love this show so much - you can re watch it over and over and notice new little things every time.

[@forestgrump4723]

I think it's also the same bear that was Herb's nurse. Could specialize in working with celebrity personalities?

[@moongirl8807]

@@forestgrump4723 or that's just the normal carrier path for bears in that world😂

[@sharathpv3054]

Tina the bear is so adorable and a warm teddy.

[@Wow-xp9dp]

@@moongirl8807 but Sarah Lynn’s step dad was a bear but he was a photographer

[@moongirl8807]

@@Wow-xp9dp ah didn't remember that. Well maybe it is the same nurse, which would give that bear a whole new meaning🤔

[@Brisbizzle]

The saddest thing about rewatching this episode is that he's so completely afraid of losing Hollyhock. Which then he does.

[@alexsaundersyates]

Came looking for this comment...its such a shame theres no resolution there but sometimes there just isn't and that's life.

[@katitax508]

@@alexsaundersyates I think they could reconnect after Bojack does more healing, which would probably be some years after the show ended

[@drewjohnson6487]

Bro you just broke me again the whole Interview he did just hit me again One of the best and most emotional shows I've watched in my life

[@leah6029]

I'm sad he lost her too but I applaud the realism they chose to go with in the show because in reality your friends will often end up leaving when you're toxic

[@trees____383]

@@leah6029 yeah. that’s one of the reasons i like that they didn’t end on “the view from halfway down”. although it would’ve been realistic in some sense but the show seems to be about how life goes on and you make mistakes but it goes on. plus that there is no happy, definite ending, like life

[@strangerdragos9511]

I just realised that in this conversation : - Give me back the baby, you worthless waste of my husband's j*sm! - ah so you do know who I am! - govern yourself, Henrietta. That was foreshadowing, she was really insulting Henrietta and not Bojack

[@FreeStuff11TakeItBy12]

Jesus, didn’t even notice it, wow.

[@nanahb9286]

Who is Henrietta?

[@MartyOfEarth]

@@nanahb9286 Well if you're watching BJ for the first time don't read - SPOILER. It's his father's mistress. Hollyhock isn't actually his daughter, but his sister.

[@LunaCorbden]

Yeah I’ve seen the show almost 3 times and just got to the Hollyhock reveal again, then saw this and it finally clicked.

[@DecemberDaydreams]

@@MartyOfEarth i knew this and still somehow felt spoiled when i read it lmao

[@yes2527]

I find it interesting how at around 3:15 Bojack calls himself an "oaf" in his inner monologue, and not long after his mother also refers to him as an oaf. Self loathing is a learned behavior

[@nya8482]

Don’t you mean self-oafing?

[@thebelen2359]

His dad also referred to him as an oaf when he was proposing to Beatrice

[@oz_jones]

@@nya8482 Get out.

[@scottchaison1001]

@@oz_jones No.

[@SiRenfield]

Another interesting note is that in a later episode Butterscotch self-deprecatingly called himself in an oaf when he proposes the shotgun wedding to Beatrice. Could it be possible that was a rare moment where instead of seeing him as Henrietta she thought he was Butterscotch, at least for a moment?

[@lonely_viking6219]

Free churro is one of the best pieces of media i've ever watched

[@LasTortugasAzules]

Totally agree. It's such an incredible journey through his conflicting feelings about his mother. And then the comic payoff at the end...

[@jankubat2694]

Yes, Free Churro and View from the half way down are probably the best, albeit very heavy episodes

[@LasTortugasAzules]

@@jankubat2694 View From Halfway Down is among the best episodes of any show I've ever seen. But my unpopular opinion is that it should have been the last episode. The finale tried to tie everything up in a nice package with a bow on top. It betrayed the entire tone of the series. Very few people agree me on that though

[@patrickstump6809]

It's so good

[@CoreyCadaver207]

100% agree !

[@JaredJonesAZ]

It's sad at the end when Bojack lies to Hollyhock and tells her the depression she has will fade as an adult, knowing full well that's not what happened with him.

[@bobblefish]

I choked up just rewatching it in this video. Like, halfway through her saying the line. It hurts so much and then the fact that Bojack just wanted to make her feel better

[@meensbeans_]

Knowing full well that it sticks with most of us as we age or gets worse. It was comforting that he lied to her though.

[@pixiebells]

Yet, it was very compassionate of him to tell her that, even though it's not always true, just to comfort her & maybe give her hope. And if she grows up to be well-adjusted, maybe that nagging self-doubt will lessen with emotional maturity and having a better support system and an overall better view of life, like a combination of realism and optimism.

[@WillowJordan1979]

@@pixiebells She has five Dads who love him. She has a pretty good chance of feeling better than Bojack. However, as a fat girl, her life will be hard in some ways that parents can't really protect her from. But there's also a chance for growth and confidence there. The older you are, the less you care that some rando online thinks you're gross and lazy.

[@scottchaison1001]

@@meensbeans_ ¿?

[@droptherapy2085]

It's also worth mentioning that Bojack definitely has a ton of symptoms of borderline personality disorder

[@OsKarMike1306]

He literally hits every symptom on the list, it's almost textbook

[@soaphope3398]

That’s probably why I feel like I relate to him so much. Besides doing all the terrible things to people lol

[@shane8435]

@@soaphope3398 shut up

[@taileykaye1998]

@@shane8435 was that a trigger for you Jackson? you got bpd?

[@lgbtqiarights]

didnt beatrice have some kind of disorder like that? i’ve seen people theorize that she’s bipolar

[@QueenGoldnGreen]

"Do you ever feel like, to know you more is to love you less?" Oof, that one stuck with me.

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

The writing is just incredibly

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

Incredible even

[@QueenGoldnGreen]

@@DoctorElliottCarthy That second to last episode gave me a super fun panic attack.

[@benvoliothefirst]

@@QueenGoldnGreen Translates perfectly to Mr. Peanutbutter as well. And me. Ouch.

[@hectorgravesantiagonil2118]

@Fucking grass So literally almost all of us on the planet.

[@howthetubbiestelly]

Around the time I was watching this show, I was an alcoholic, and I was okay with allowing my depression and PTSD to just swallow me up. But this show helped me connect with Bojack, and once I recognized it, DISconnect from that. I’ve been sober for a year now, I’m much happier with myself now that I can use my triggers and learn how to more healthily cope. :)

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

Congrats on your ongoing recovery. A year is an enormous achievement!

[@BeingWolfie]

Hey, congratulations! I hope you continue your recovery

[@howthetubbiestelly]

@@DoctorElliottCarthy thank you so much! that means a lot to me!

[@howthetubbiestelly]

@@BeingWolfie thank you so much!

[@sniffingdogartofficial7257]

That's so amazing; well done! Thanks for commenting!

[@samlinsubmersible946]

"He's jealous of the doll" the subtitles : He's jealous of the dog. The dog : Is this a crossover episode ??

[@DecemberDaydreams]

underrated lmao

[@mirriamsibale6661]

😂😂😂

[@nicolemenzies8438]

jealous

[@cassandra1122]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MrsDerpina3]

"The old sugarman place" is a really good depiction of how trauma passes on from generation to generation. It sums up beatrices childhood, and what made her become the cold, distant person she is. Also how this eventually got to fuck up bojacks childhood. This episode somehow hit really hard, as it shows how trauma isn't anybodys fault - and the roots go back genereations.

[@eejyool5099]

The thing that Bojack tells Hollyhock at the end: "if I'm shitty it's just because I'm shitty - just know that it's not your fault" reminded me of his relationship with his own mother, except this time he tried to not repeat the same mistakes by at least being aware of his harmful actions towards people near him - awareness which his parents didn't have. Of course he's still an ahole but it shows a glimmer of hope for change

[@olliethebum3430]

They episode severely fucked me up, it’s so horribly sad and good

[@josecperezvargas3930]

In a way, Hitler fucked up Bojack's life. No World War II, no dead uncle. No dead uncle, no as gigantic trauma for beatrice. Basically, it also shows how a horrible gigantic event like a world war fucks ups people's lives even well beyond their ocurrence.

[@tomkatt8274]

@@josecperezvargas3930 Talking animals and still a world war 2.

[@janrioangeloreyes]

Yes please I hope he does a video about that episode

[@quinnchaos8144]

As someone who has an abusive mother, I get why he didn’t indulge her delusions

[@vanderdendur4640]

Baffles me that the commentary focused so much on the dementia, and not on the history of childhood abuse and cptsd that is clearly a big issue here.

[@samanthajayne8464]

@@vanderdendur4640 Probably because as a psychiatrist its about not taking sides, pointing blame etc. I think most people acknowledge she was terrible but it doesn't mean Bojack should take it out on her when she's get old, confused and vulnerable to abuse. I relate to Bojack and his issues with his mom a lot, and I'm glad I could see what he did so I can work on myself and avoid letting bitterness poison me in the same ways.

[@vanderdendur4640]

@@samanthajayne8464 oh definitely it's not about taking sides or taking revenge, but aknowledging cptsd being a factor here, and also in the depression symptoms in general would be interesting information for anyone dealing with these kind of mental health situation ;)

[@andrewbarrett1537]

The saddest thing here is that we get to see how BoJack's mother gets the way she is via her evil father and brain damaged mother, but BoJack himself never learns this because she never tells him about it (although I have no idea why). So, it's really unfortunate since he might have been more forgiving of her, but we only get to see this whole thing from an omniscient point of view, he apparently never learns it. But that's how it is in real life... a lot of stuff can happen in the past that ISN'T talked about or passed down thru the family, then people start acting wacky and then unfortunately some other people blame them for the wackiness when it is really due to someone else in their past.

[@vanderdendur4640]

@@andrewbarrett1537 I wouldn't call abuse "being wacky". I know how it works, my mother also took her traumas out on me. It is sad and I do have compassion for her, but the abusive things she did to me and her refusal to deal with her trauma are still her responsibility. Just like now I take responsibility to not harm anyone even though I suffered abuse. I take care of myself so I won't be passing the trauma forward.

[@KingCorbinCosmos]

The fact that you get everything about the show so accurately because you study psychology is a testament to the writing of the show and it’s depiction of mental illness

[@gigahorse1475]

The grandma with the baby reminds me of this cute old lady I met in the nursing home. She had a stuffed cat and offered to let me hold it. It was clear she thought the cat was alive, so I treated the cat as if it was real. I even asked if it was a he or a she. The old lady had so much joy in her face. I was happy she had something that made her feel less alone.

[@puppywyrm]

oh thats so sweet 🥺🥺

[@errortryagainlater4240]

My nanna works in nursing homes so I've seen things like this too. That was such a sweet thing you did for her, you probably made her day 😊 even if they have dementia or alzheimer's, they'll still maintain the good mood you put them in.

[@kadesthetic]

that’s so sweet omg🥺

[@EvanONS1]

My Grandmother died after a long battle with Alzheimer's. The episode of Bojack (S4:E11 "Times Arrow") that depicts Bojack's mother's dimentia hit me hard. The people who made this show do such a great job translating mental illness into something understandable for people.

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. I agree that the show is one of the best depictions of mental illness I have ever seen

[@chrisgreen8803]

Yes that episode is definitely one of the best from a superb show

[@chadkennedy7855]

@@DoctorElliottCarthy Oh shit... That's just plain sad. 😑 Well forget that stupid show because this summer, Tuca & Bertie is about to go #AllElite

[@aeron0828]

It's one of my favorite episodes..

[@MyNeLi_cr]

Sorry for your loss, my grand father also died recently and and dementia phases at the very end, I get how hard you felt about it, my grandmother died after a long battle with alzheimer too.. They are in a better place now

[@chrissessions6108]

It's obvious this guy is a quality psychiatrist, because as he watches Bojack, his face exudes pure empathy. He feels and understands Bojack's pain.

[@righthandstep5]

Because Bojack is innocent during his youth and ost of his younger years. His older self yeah tell him off.

[@womanofseakea8715]

Thank you for also talking about Mr. PB's toxic positivity too. I feel like that's something that so often gets overlooked in this show and in society in general

[@mrbigshot150472]

It’s honestly borderline narcissistic

[@redfullmoon]

And then the one time they get a sad photo of him, he becomes the face of depression LMAO

[@tanadarko6991]

it's true - it's perfect that he's played by a Labrador. loyal loyal loyal no matter how shitty those are in his life. For dogs it's how they are, for people it's toxic.

[@andreazapata5758]

I wish more people talked about this!!!!! Also how he consistently dated young impressionable women and when they matured it was over

[@Llkc60]

he is a mirror of America's inflated + thinking. Although I think there is a lot more clarity about reality after the past few years.

[@jblask2]

I feel like bojack is honestly more genuinely mature and adult than most other adult shows I've seen so far.

[@amoixtlapaltic4690]

Right? Most 'adult shows' rely on racist, sexist jokes, alcohol and blood, but that's it, they feel almost empty

[@jblask2]

@@amoixtlapaltic4690 Yeah. I'm really tired of just "edge" humor which is what I've been mostly finding.

[@orome9793]

Absolutely. Rick and Morty (don't get me wrong I find it entertaining) is more for edgy teens. Bojack Horseman deals with real life trauma and issues. After watching the whole series, it reminds me of how I felt after watching Cowboy Bebop.

[@jblask2]

@@orome9793 Yeah I feel like that's an apt description for both. I enjoyed r&m a few years back but revisiting it I just didn't find it funny anymore. Even though I love a lot of the sci-fi art. Even though Bojack's animation is lacking compared to the sci fi art I find Bojack's writing and characters far more compelling currently.

[@spacesoarer3627]

I've liked this and Futurama

[@fruitjuiceshibe]

oh god why the fuck do I relate so much to Bojack's inner monologue that is frequently my thought process

[@fruitjuiceshibe]

thanks for the genetics, dad 😒

[@nishkaghzala762]

Same Oh shit

[@fruitjuiceshibe]

@@nishkaghzala762 oh shit oh fuck oh god

[@Madsovic999]

Read "Feeling good" by M.D. Burns and follow the exercises. You can learn to counter negative self talk, it sure helped me even if i struggle sometimes. Best of luck

[@creepercraft100]

Thats why i love this show. It actually shows pretty accurately how the mind is all scribbles, confusing, a mess, constantly moving like a sand storm not able to escape.

[@ChestersonJack]

The use of “Blood In The Cut” by K. Flay is really great in this episode. It’s progression of intensity is great backing for the spirals of self-hatred.

[@rosenrot234]

I like that they also show Bojack saying "Shut up. What does that do? Go make breakfast." It would have been easy for them to portray him believing every possible invasive thought. But nah. They really showed all the sides of dealing with those thoughts. Including those moments where you're just "Okay even I don't believe you on that one."

[@errortryagainlater4240]

Yep, at some point you really do just start beefing with your own brain 😂

[@Ashley-ro4xz]

Oh man finally that last part you said! Someone gets it. I hope to God we get better.

[@MissAmy929728]

Exactly

[@littlemoth4956]

I find a good way of combatting intrusive thoughts like that is to get good at debating them before you make decisions. Your subconscious can indeed feel like a different person in you at times, so you have to consciously confront it like you would a person saying all of those things. Be logical, and talk to it with your thoughts. The result can sometimes help you defuse the feelings from the situation, and even help you make more rational decisions.

[@jessm1327]

as someone who's mostly recovered from BPD this show resonated with me in a way literally nothing else ever has and helped me out of a very dark place. i'm glad i exist at the same time as it

[@RisaNoelRomano]

This episode is so important, and I don't understand why it's not focused on more. Watching this was what finally made me see a doctor about my mental health. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and able to take my first steps towards better mental health.

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

That's why I do reaction vids as the format for the channel. So many patients I have met have cited TV characters, musicians etc as their way of relating to how they feel and when to seek help. Thanks for supporting the channel and glad to hear you've reached our for support

[@kokujin8]

@@DoctorElliottCarthy Ok. I'm sold. *Subscribed*

[@tazmik18]

@@DoctorElliottCarthy it's hard saying this outloud, but when I was in college I always felt like bojack I mean since I had memory I always had that voice saying bad things and blaming myself and trying to be a people pleaser. At school all they told me was that I might have Adhd which school didn't cover for the diagnosis so I never got diagnose, but my psychologist said I suffered from grief. She never further explained.

[@titinerma460]

My boyfriend and I watched this show and though out the show, I noticed him (my bf) starting to tense up. Same here. My boyfriend suffers from clinical depression and anxiety disorder as well as adhd. He’s also dyslexic with executive dysfunction but that’s not important. He dealt with alcoholism in his past and drug abuse and this show made him feel not alone. He’s a lot better now and we find more and more ways to help him everyday. But this show also gave me insight on what he’s feeling and how he goes through life. The show also had moments where I felt things because I saw how bojack started to act and how the people around were being affected. Like his relationship with Gina. I loved this show because it gave a very very real depiction of issues that people often gaslight or throw around like when people say “oh I’m depressed” or “omg this triggers my anxiety” but do not actually know how debilitating it really is to have these disorders. I have OCD and it annoys me when people think because they want things “neat” or “straight” then they have it. People really sweep under the rug the real life struggle it is to have any type of mental disorder but when your own mind...your only safe haven attacks you...the mind that you can’t escape...it’s freaking hard. Thank you so much for sharing❤️ Ps. And before people start commenting my relationship assuming I’m in a toxic situation I’m just going to say mind your business because you don’t know our relationship or who we are and I can say that the man I’m with is the most caring and loving human being I’ve ever met and you can’t comment when you don’t have all the details.

[@stefanuzunov1146]

Some people will never know what it is to be truly depressed or to have some other similar problems. And thank god for that! Aldo some people for some reason do think they are depressed after having a couple depressive thoughts a month, and then they flex with it as if it's something astonishing, which bugs me a bit, but still, better not to know what it is to have your mind as an enemy. I feel ya. i know what it is like but i know that it's not impossible to repair the damage. I've had depression for years and true, I still have it, but i feel the huge progress that I've done and it kind of actually makes me proud that I've managed to go all this way from no will to live and months of constant suicide thoughts to actually managing to enjoy life, aldo not all the time. But from feeling depressed and suicidal for most of the day and even at night not being able to go to sleep for hours because of it, to feeling depressed for only small parts of the day, i call this a win. And sooner or later i know I'll make it. And if i can do it, so can others! P.s: my advice for people in this or similar situations is to develop a good analytical thinking. One's mind cannot be fully trusted, but if one has a good enough logic and restrain from viewing things from his own emotionally influenced point of view, then one must seek other ways of thought. It truly helped me a lot! Whenever i interpret anything in a bad way, i then shove my thoughts to the side and start looking analytically. And that plus countless hours spent on psychology and philosophy, plus a great great help of my friends, who mostly didn't know anything was off with me, but the fact that they were there, around me, was enough.

[@jsinmcc92]

I have to screen shot this comment it’s so good thank you for sharing this and your situation I’ve been depressed since I was a kid and it’s frustrating when they say things like “just don’t be sad anymore” or “just be happy” and I’m just like 👍😮 I didn’t know that was an option 🤦‍♂️ lol thank you for understanding i appreciate it so much

[@WatchHeadsRoll]

Sounds a lot like me

[@lynnspring2378]

I showed the beginning of this episode to my parents one time to give them an idea of what my depression is like when it’s really bad. You’re right that it’s one of the best depictions of mental health issues out there- I also think it REALLY nails what addiction is like, especially how hard recovery is, and how easy it is screw up everything you’ve worked for and find new “rock bottoms.” I’d like to see you analyze “A Horse Walks into a Rehab” for the way it talks about addiction. Other great episodes to analyze would be “Good Damage,” “The Old Sugarman Place” and “Time’s Arrow.”

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

There are so many to go through. Sign of an incredible show and reflects the depth of the characters. Really glad you liked the vid and I will def be doing more soon

[@lynnspring2378]

@GraffitiTurtle Oof. I’m sorry.

[@cbennett7480]

I also think it's a wonderful depiction of anxiety as well, when I was struggling with it my thoughts would constantly be like that and it felt awful, but seeing this make me feel understood and it was so relieving to have that to relate to if I needed to try and show someone how it feels.

[@chasingcookies]

@@lynnspring2378 How did it go for you? Were your parents understanding afterwards?

[@lynnspring2378]

@@chasingcookies They were very supportive. Worried, but kind. I’m very fortunate to have a good relationship with my parents.

[@relaxationstation7634]

If you watch the full show you'll find out that each of the main characters is one of the five stages of grief. Denial is Mr Peanutbutter Anger is Diane Bargaining= Princess Carolyn Depression=Bojack Acceptance=Todd

[@Nicalettaa]

Omg my mind is blown

[@olliethebum3430]

Bruh

[@lauren_sunshine]

Whoa, I never thought of it that way

[@reuvenknight1575]

Yep, but I think Diane and Bojack should be switched. Bojack has depression, but he uses anger and aggression to express it. Diane also has depression but is usually melancholy.

[@falalalala385]

@@reuvenknight1575 anger and depression can look similar on the outside. Both can be perceived as assholes, but are just hurting a lot

[@rileypeck8690]

You ever hear a song that perfectly describes what you feel but have never been able to put in to words? This episode is the tv show equivalent of that.

[@alexjones160]

The "shut up" part has always hit me. I constantly go through episodes like that. I feel so lost and confused and I start stressing

[@sepulpedro]

My all-time best is Time's Arrow: such powerful imagery of dementia and how non-linear their lives and memories are

[@MidnightSonnet]

The little white lie at the end, when he tells her that all those negative voices go away after her teenage years, was interesting to me. We all know too well that it doesn't just go away -- that it's not a phase. I feel like perhaps BoJack was trying to give her hope, thinking that her growing depression would disappear if she simply believed it would. It's a sentiment that can be very damaging. His mental breakdowns were hard to watch. The one you mentioned being hard to watch was especially hard for me. I felt it in my chest. It was a painful weight. I know that weight all too well. I'm still seeing therapists and I'm almost 40. I'm hoping to one day be rid of all the childhood trauma and self-hate I've held onto. Doesn't help that I'm extremely empathic. I feel emotion on every level possible and it's draining. I can tell by the look in your eyes that you have a healthy degree of empathy, as well. I liked how you looked at BoJack with sympathetic eyes as he tore himself apart mentally. I'm glad you're a therapist.

[@littlemoth4956]

"thinking that her growing depression would disappear if she simply believed it would" I mean, it's kind of right. Those who hold out hope in the future simply aren't as susceptible to depression. Depression isn't a tangible thing, or an inevitable problem that will affect you regardless of how you feel about it. It's directly tied to your psyche and emotional state, so the stronger and more optimistic you are in that regard, the harder it will be to fall into.

[@MidnightSonnet]

@@littlemoth4956 that is incorrect. Depression comes from repeated emotional turmoil. It's how the brain protects you. If we're not taught early on how to help our brain understand that we're safe after the threat is gone, we stay in a state of hormonal imbalance. More specifically, the hormones that regulate emotions. This is especially true for chronic mental health issues. I've been chronically ill, both mentally and physically, my whole life. At 42, I'm only getting worse, no matter how many medications and therapists I've seen. I've tried an immeasurable amount of times to "just be optimistic" because that's the kind of bad advice people offer when they don't understand a damn thing about how the brain works. Our brains are extremely complex, to the point where scientists still don't understand why it does what it does in certain situations. This incredibly old stigma on mental health is so damn damaging to the millions who suffer from it. As if we've never once thought that all we have to do is "just be happy" in order to heal from all the trauma we've endured. Would you tell an SA victim (one of my own traumas) to just "be optimistic" about life, which is the equivalent of telling them to just get over it and move on. Any healthcare professional would tell you how terrible that is

[@jasconius_maximus]

Free Churro. Please do “Free Churro”. That one is a masterpiece.

[@GhGh-ci8ld]

i cried for that one

[@chrisdawson1776]

@@GhGh-ci8ld You go about in pity for yourself, and all the while a great wind carries you across the sky.

[@nightangelx1513]

I just enrolled in therapy after nearly 20 years of bottling up emotions. I’m glad I did I’m learning a lot about myself

[@americaroleplayer]

I suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts for years, I've always loved this show BECAUSE of how real it is. Sure, I was a teenager and used anime as my escape instead of alcohol- but there's still a lot of connections I've made with how I felt and acted and how Bojack felt and acted.

[@GremblimArt]

Hope you're doing better now

[@americaroleplayer]

@@GremblimArt I am! :) Been depression and suicidal thoughts free for about 3 years now.

[@misss870]

This show has saved my life so many times. The vocabulary and visuals it gave me were what helped me begin recovering from my 15 years of depression.

[@misss870]

@LaBrava Altonia Thank you so much!

[@angiep.7253]

I'm so sorry you have to go thought that. My grandpa couldn't handle depression for more than a short period of time, and he committed suicide. Mental illnesses break your heart for real.

[@chrisdawson1776]

@@angiep.7253 Yeah, and I’m playing shortstop for the Mets.

[@igneousbliss2914]

I actually showed this episode to my therapist to express how I was feeling! The way they animate anxiety and depression is so spot on.

[@lumulla1326]

wt ep was that

[@sourpatchkids351]

@@lumulla1326 “stupid piece of sh*t”, season 4 episode 6

[@abigailwollam6894]

“Avoidance is classic” you’re coming for me with that one, buck-o.

[@fannylchtx3855]

I fell in love with this show especially bc as a depressed and bipolar patient, I could really empathize with the characters and I really enjoyed the way they portrayed mental health, even tho I’m no doctor

[@RisqueBisquet]

About Mr. PB's "solution" to the doll: What he's doing here is ham-fistedly taking inspiration from the biblical character King Solomon, who when presented with two women claiming to be the mother of a child proposed to cut the child in half. One woman became understandably distressed and said that the other woman may have custody. Solomon then proclaimed this woman as the true mother. PB has clearly mis-interpreted this story to mean that all bisected babies - real or imagined - are a good common ground for people in dispute. He wasn't honestly suggesting destroying the doll, he was trying to appear wise and leaderly.

[@DecemberDaydreams]

i mean even if he understood it its not a very wise solution, it shouldn't be taken realisticly lol

[@treevsy]

I've just realised why my partner might be depressed now. It never occurred to me that the reason he would never want to see my family is because his trigger is his own mum and dad who abused him. His mess, his inability to get a job. Damn.

[@liadanryan-gerhardt7189]

Oh, wow. Just realised the same about mine😱 Thank you. And good luck on your journey!

[@carlbutcher2268]

As someone who received a lot of parental abuse myself (and only realised years later just *how* much) I've had almost the opposite effect. I have a knack for winning the approval of my partners' parents, and find it validating when they like me.

[@treevsy]

@@carlbutcher2268 my partner has a newfound love for gardening, he's definitely getting better as time goes by. He told me that he'd actually forgive his mum so he could move on with his life. He's said nothing about his dad though.

[@KD-ou2np]

@Lemons Oranges its hard to be mad at this comment because I mostly just pity the miserable person who goes around the internet looking for people with problems to make fun of, like making fun of them somehow makes you exempt from your own problems.

[@lurkmo4r]

The genuine compassion you look at the clips with is heartwarming

[@johnmartin9846]

The Old Sugarman Place is one of the best episodes and would make a great breakdown with Bojacks avoidance and comparing him to Eddie and Honey.

[@therealjesterguys]

As a person with bpd I hugely relate with bojack. The anger he gets to his mother to the point there's a voice in his head egging him on to do things he will eventually regret and feel guilty about. Believing that you're somehow cursed and that people hate you because you are well.. you.

[@WatchHeadsRoll]

Good for you for being self aware

[@brookejackson4532]

Bojack is one of my favorite series because of how it depicts mental illness. I can defiantly identify with the seemingly endless and negative internal dialog. I really appreciate your channel and the insight that you provide. Thank you for reviewing this episode, it would be cool to see more reviews on Bojack.

[@МаринаДилан]

My grandmother started to develop dementia when I was 10 years old, and she lived with us for 10 years. It was heartbreaking to see how my loving and caring grandma's personality is cracking and altering. My parents upbrought me as a religious kid, so I kept asking myself - what was going on with her soul at that period, she wasn't herself anymore, but god didn't take her either. She loved babies a lot (she also lost a baby when he was only 18 days old) and when she got dementia, she played a lot with dolls, like they were her babies. I really loved her, but it was really hard for me to process, I couldn't understand what was going on (at the beginning esp, after all I was only 10 years old), my parents shut themselves down in their religion and their sorrow, so they didn't talk to me properly, we never discussed our feelings. Episodes related to Bea's dementia were really heartbreaking to watch, I know that everybody's experience is unique, but I felt like I could understand my Grandma's experience. I also listened to almost the whole "Caretaker", but I couldn't make through the final 40 minutes Also once (again when I was a little kid) my Granny put an electic kettle on a real fire and there was a lot of toxic smoke, since then my parents started to lock every room in apartment (for safety) and you had to bring a key every time if you wanted to drink some water for example

[@Supergirl9909]

10:12 “imagine to live in the mind of somewhere where that’s really happening” oh buddy i don’t have to imagine 😕🥺

[@AlexAutoAxe]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Do the episode where hes speaking at his mom's funeral! It's just one giant episode of him grieving and talking, and my favorite episode!

[@aesopenjoyer1827]

I agree!

[@Kwekwe]

Free Churro......l agree it's my favourite episode of the whole series

[@61oline]

Soooo, now I want alot more these breakdowns for Bojack, and not just him but so many of the characters have different issues they deal with. There is just so much material, and I really like how you broke it down.

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

Thanks so much. Todd is a favourite of mine

[@61oline]

@@DoctorElliottCarthy ah good ole Todd, able to constantly do haywire schemes throughout the show and also do alot of self discovery and growth.

[@alphamega9532]

I think adding insight to the part in season 3 episode 5 (Love and or Marriage) where he says " settle! Because, otherwise, you're just gonna get older and harder and more alone. And you're gonna do everything you can to fill that hole- with friends and your career and meaningless sex, but the hole... doesn't get filled. And one day you're going to look around and you're going to realize that everybody loves you... but nobody likes you. And that is the loneliest feeling in the world." would be really helpful too. That quote is a direct transport to the way he values life, love, and many other things. I'd have to say it's one of my favorite quotes, if not my favorite quote ever.

[@merabmcfarland2150]

Please do more episodes!! Having a professional analyze the show is amazing, watching Bojack helped me find the words to explain how I have felt for most of my life, but I know it's just a show. Having a real professional go through it is both gratifying and immensely entertaining.

[@briemichelle9479]

I had a Grade 3 ankle sprain in May of 2020 and could not work or even walk for over a month. I was so depressed and felt so worthless because I couldn’t even go to the bathroom without struggle. During that month, I binge watched the entire series of Bojack Horseman. It helped me realize that I was not alone and that I would be able to crawl out of the hole I was in. This show saved me. Free Churro is my favorite episode. As it should be. But he won in the end, he saved himself. I saved myself. I thank this show for helping me in realizing I was capable of saving myself.

[@Torthrodhel]

"Good Damage" is a great episode in a similar vein but covering Diane's creative anxiety and self-limiting. Always feel like that episode and this episode make a good thematic pair.

[@kristinr4928]

Time's Arrow, Free Churro, Long way down, and any episode with Sara Lynn's backstory

[@Trideen]

This and Times Arrow were probably two of my "favorite" Bojack Episodes. The way Times Arrow tries to show the dementia Bojack's mom was suffering from her perspective was both heart wrenching and informative.

[@kyokosgarden3779]

Please do more on Bojack. This show has so much depth into it. Like I personally feel Bojack on the childhood trauma.

[@kittensinstars]

I recommend watching Tuca and Bertie, it’s a wonderful show and it may seem wacky at first but inside it truly has some deep aspects about it. It also was made by the creator who made Bojack Horseman.

[@tanadarko6991]

uGH god this show is so amazing. I've watched it through like 3 times. I lost my marriage to addiction and this is also a really incredible depiction of how complex addition really is. The arc with bojack's mom is incredible. You see how she was twisted into the terrible mother she became, that she was a victim and a victimizer.

[@Foobymaster1]

This is easily one of the best shows ever. The depiction of so many things is so powerful and real.

[@Crayolapup]

As someone who was just diagnosed with Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, this video is comforting.

[@madelinevlogs5898]

I love this show. I found Diane’s portrayal of depression to be so relatable, especially in season 6 with the Good Damage episode (which you should definitely react to!) That quote from Stefani about how she holds herself and everyone else to such high standards and gets depressed because she can never reach them hits home.

[@leongeds1397]

This episode really gets into the core of BoJack's problem - his constant self hate is actually a big part of what prevents him from making a change. He's mistaking the pain of constantly berating himself as punishment for his bad actions, but the negativity just spirals into even more bad behvaiour that hurts people. True change must start from a point of kindness to yourself - because if you hate yourself you won't think you are deserving or capable of getting help/changing.

[@carrat1903]

This episode resonates with me a lot! You rock, thanks for the video

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

My pleasure. Thanks for supporting the vid and the channel 😊

[@jonathanharvey5478]

I absolutely adore this show and I adore your description of it. I have all of the issues discussed, so I find it relatable. But also, it helped me accept the loss of a friendship, which is really hard. The show The Good Place, by the way, is great to accept death/grief.

[@Broganrileym]

When I first started this episode o got maybe 5 minutes in before having to put my phone down... it was that accurate I literally couldn’t watch the show for a month because mentally I just wasn’t able to watch such a genuine and realistic depiction of these feeling and what they do to your life

[@frankm.2850]

I’ve had depression since high school, and oddly enough, watching Bojack has helped me through a couple particularly rough patches. Not sure if that’s healthy or not or if anyone else has had that experience.

[@derekhasabrain]

I always thought it was insane how his mother can care for a doll and love it and immediately turn around and abuse her older, very real child.

[@googoogaga7986]

Bojack is one of my favourite pieces of media everrrr! So pumped to have found this video

[@paulhesketh4289]

100% you need to do the episode from Beatrice's perspective through her dementia! Really powerful episode

[@lilithlaney1759]

I would really like to see a professional talk about BPD and Bojack. I have BPD and I see so much of myself in Bojack. Neglectful dad who wasn't around but when he was he was abusive, a mother who wants to live her life through you but despises you for taking her youth and taking it out on you (and not ever growing attached too or feeling loved by either even once), being hypersexual to avoid intimacy, covering every emotion up with substances, the huge blowup fights when he feels abandoned...the list goes on and on. He's become the face of depression but I believe there's something more going on.

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

Several people have commented similar things. I'll be honest, I was saving that material for another episode to spread things out a wee bit. I think talking through borderline features and what they mean to the person experiencing them is really important. That's a long winded way of saying yes, its coming soon. 😊

[@smurpo2956]

This is a fantastic channel, I've been really getting into "professional reacts to _____" videos and you offer some of the best insight and have a really calming voice too. I wish I had someone like you as my therapist, keep up the good work!

[@DoctorElliottCarthy]

Thanks so much. Means a lot

[@StephanieDouglassMusic]

This was really great to hear your insight. Another episode that deals with Diane's experience kind of lifting her out of depression is "Good Damage" from season 6. I like the ones where you can hear their inner monologues.

[@DrSilvestri]

I hope you do more bojack horseman episodes! Lots to unpack throughout

[@briannarip003]

I am obsessed with Bojack Horseman as a series- it’s wonderfully horrible hilarious profound, and I relate to the material and characters in such a way that I just adore and admire ✌️IRL I’m just starting therapy for the first time... watching you break this down encouraged me in a way that was just delightful and warm. You articulated a lot of thoughts/insights that I think I felt watching the show, but could NOT have articulated myself. A small, but significant part of me feels really affirmed and uplifted by your analysis and warmth!! I needed some warmth today so thank you thank you! I just subscribed to your channel!! thanks again- looking forward to your other videos! 🙏

[@corizard08]

“Free Churro”, “Old Sugarman Place”, and “Good Damage” are my personal favorites. And really good episodes to breakdown and discuss

[@hicough]

This was a fantastic analysis. As someone who went through depression, I found these scenes really resonated with me. Good to hear it's actually backed up by professional opinion, it was so difficult to know what was real and what wasn't.

[@GeorgeProwse]

There are several episodes in Season Six where he goes to therapy. Could you do a video on whether it's a decent depiction of both one to one and group therapy? The first episode is called (unsurprisingly) "A Horse Walks into a Rehab"

[@livwhatido]

Doctor Champ is a therapy horse, not a therapist 🐴🥼

[@GeorgeProwse]

@@livwhatido 😂😂😂😂 So true!

[@Jotari]

Doesn't that plot line end with his therapist reverting to alcoholism? Probably not the ideal result of therapy.

[@GeorgeProwse]

@@Jotari Hmmmmmm, another good question for the doctor then... how does a therapist (or therapy horse) deal with his own issues that may need therapy in itself? Like therapy Inception!

[@mahtabmohammadi8868]

this is my one favorite show. I loved watching your video. you watching it raising your eyebrows with some pity in your eyes for bojack, laughing at PB's joke, made me realize I'm not the only person who connect with the characters this much.

[@readmarx420]

I remember this episode and it spoke to me. This show actually helped me get over my depression

[@kaustralishamal2054]

notice that 3:04 his inner voice called him "oaf", and then her mother calls him the same. It's pretty likely that those same insults in his mind are the ones his mother used to called him, or at least used to said around him.

[@HeyCaaars]

I've always wanted to see a professional give insights on Bojack. Would love to see more!

[@michaelkyle2150]

“Insight doesn’t equal change”. Simple and brilliant observation. That hits close to home. Would love to see you look at other episodes and clips. Maybe even touch on narcissism in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia?

[@simiolatona9311]

I have seen this show a couple of times and the end where he lied to Hollyhock always made me tear up. Lol he said the voice goes away....I can only wish for that.

[@lu.ciel8770]

Oh man same here. It still hurts to watch that. I remember being her age and just hoping that i would grow out of my depression....sadly it just got worse. I finally decided to start seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist just before turning thirty. When I first saw my psychiatrist i told them I was struggling but for the most part doing alright. He just goes "but you're not...you wouldn't be crying otherwise." I was constantly crying at that point and could barely function but it had just become my "normal" at that point. Misery was my thing it's what I did. It's been a few years and things have gotten better. It's scary to look for the help and it can be hard but it's so worth it. I'll never be without depression and anxiety but i can manage then better and I know I'm much more than my mental illnesses.

[@RAWowner333]

i have honestly shown multiple people what it's like in my head by showing this episode. it's the only way I can describe how ruthless and prominent the voice is. [also the lie at the end always shatters my heart]

[@TheFrugalVideoGamer]

I'd love to see more reactions from you on episodes of this, including Todd's "It's YOU!" declaration during the previous season's finale. It's a horribly rough one, but reflective of how others might need to cut a toxic person out of their lives for their own well-being, and that having horrible stuff happen to you in the past doesn't necessarily justify continued poor behavior.

[@riarivera5995]

Honestly watching Bojack horseman in AIT has just...really helped me put s nsme to a face, for a lack of a better word...my mental health has gotten worse and my NCO's brought be to the hospital when i told them my breakdowns were getting longer and more intense steadily. I really relate to Bojack, and the insight really helps motivate me to cope better...

[@gray2578]

As someone with the same issues (and someone studying psychology in university), I want to say self loathing like this is not always somebody’s fault like it is Bojack’s mother. There are things I can connect back to my own trauma, and there are things I’ve done to myself that are both the source of self loathing. You can have the most supportive relationships alive and if you’re depressed, you will still hold onto the negative more. It’s nobody’s fault alone. Growing up I was called a “brat” a lot by my own abusive mother, and as an adult I’ve spent countless therapy sessions trying to fight that. It’s my personal “stupid piece of sh*t” mantra. That is a clear example of self loathing I LEARNED- but I’ve had just as many moments of completely innocent remarks made by people I love and trust to have my best interest at heart that I internalized and warped. Your brain LOOKS FOR THAT when you’re in this position. Even when you know it’s wrong, you want to prove it right, and every little comment with sub text turns into proof. I wanted to point this out because while this episode is meant to be relatable for those of us with these issues, it’s important to remember there are other people too. There’s so many good people out there, and one of the hardest lessons of this show is the last episode discussing how those people (like Diane) cannot fix all of us (like Bojack). It’s not fair on anyone to try. All you can do is be there for the people you love as much as you can and focus on what you CAN control- maybe not yourself all the time, but how you behave. That’s your own. Nobody can take that from you. Even if the voice never goes away, it doesn’t have to be the source of NEW trauma, and it doesn’t HAVE to be anybody’s fault.

[@havenmiller8925]

Bojack Horseman is my favorite show! I've had major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder since I was a kid, and watching this show really helped me laugh, cry, and process through a lot of what I have been feeling. Thank you for your insight from a psychiatrist's perspective, it was interesting to hear! And nice to rewatch even this small clip after finishing Bojack last year and missing it. I would love to see your reaction to the episode "Time's Arrow" (s4 e11) from Beatrice's perspective and if it is an accurate portrayal of someone with dementia and also the episode "The View From Halfway Down" (s6 e15) which is inside the mind of Bojack during his overdose. I think these two are the best of the series and they really dive head first into difficult subjects.

[@siracastori01]

I can absolutely relate to catastrophising and having paranoid thoughts towards the ones around you, it needs to be noticed tho', that if you know Beatrice and what she does later to Hollyhock, Bojack was not wrong here.

[@harleyharris472]

I only just discovered your videos through a friend and after watching your always sunny videos I was ecstatic to see you’d reviewed Bojack. It’s my favourite show and very comforting for me as someone who’s experienced living with mental illnesses since a teenager. One scene that I find incredible is the last seen of the season 2 finale. The Baboon line about “it gets easier” is something I’ve used to help deal with adversity. Love your content and insight and I’d love to see you cover any other Bojack episodes. Not only is it a show that brilliantly depicts living with mental illness but it does amazing social and political commentary and is so clever and funny and writes so well. Thanks again for making great content!

[@JacobChrabaszcz]

This show is my absolute favorite and is made for this channel

[@Unownshipper]

I love this episode and how authentic it feels, like they really knew what they were doing in depicting all these facets of mental health. Having a professional confirm that, and react to this as entertainment as well, is fantastic.

[@MikesterMF]

Dude, first time I saw this episode, I curled into a ball and shook. Fucking hit so hard.

[@Wizzardgirl]

I loved Bojack because it helped me explain A LOT of what I saw in my own family and why I am the way I am. (Bojack and I have a scary amount of the same toxic origins.) Watching you explain all this stuff, amazing. Thanks for this .. and I am looking forward to your explanation of the folks on "Always Sunny"- with whom - Thank God .. I share NOTHING in common! Oh .. and the relief on your face when Tina turned off the stove - life giving. You're face lit up when she addressed the impeding doom.

[@emilystewart8445]

I have borderline personality disorder n Bojack is too relatable! Love this, thank you!

[@onyxnathan2978]

when i first saw that episode i was like " wow except for the alcoholic part this is exactly my way of thinking "

[@joaquinbaume1291]

The mental gymnastics i do sometimes just to put myself down like bojack does, too relatable

[@myriadmyriad7209]

This actually gave me enough courage to seek mental help instead of just giving up...Thank you

[@AnastasiiaKuznetsova-f9w]

"The view from halfway down", I'd love to see your analysis of it... Or like literally any other episode. Love this show. Some character analysis would be cool, too! How would you diagnose Princess Caroline? Enjoyed watching your take, btw~

[@enriquehuamanyauri8651]

please do another episode of bojack, your analysis is amazing!