Stephen Fry: "An Uppy-Downy, Mood-Swingy Kind of Guy" | Big Think

Stephen Fry: "An Uppy-Downy, Mood-Swingy Kind of Guy"
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Stephen Fry’s own experience with manic depression lead him to create a documentary about the condition.
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STEPHEN FRY:
Comedian, actor and writer Stephen Fry was born in 1957 in London and brought up in Norfolk. He attended Queen’s College Cambridge from 1979, joining the Cambridge Footlights Dramatic Club where he met Hugh Laurie, with whom he forged a highly successful writing partnership. His first play, Latin! or Tobacco and Boys, written for Footlights, won a Fringe First at Edinburgh Festival in 1980. He wrote again for theatre in 1984 when he rewrote Noel Gay’s musical Me and My Girl (1990). This was nominated for a Tony Award in 1987.
He has written for television and screen, and as a newspaper columnist - for the Literary Review, Daily Telegraph and The Listener. Stephen Fry's four novels are The Liar (1991), The Hippopotamus (1994), Making History (1996) and The Stars' Tennis Balls (2000). He has also published a collection of work entitled Paperweight (1992); Moab is My Washpot (1997) - an autobiography; and Rescuing the Spectacled Bear: A Peruvian Journey (2002) - his diary of the making of a documentary on the plight of the spectacled bears of Peru.
His book, Stephen Fry's Incomplete History of Classical Music (2004), written with Tim Lihoreau, is based on his award-winning series on Classic FM and is an irreverent romp through the history of classical music. The Ode Less Travelled - a book about poetry - was published in 2005. His latest book is Stephen Fry in America (Harper Collins 2008).
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TRANSCRIPT:
Question: Can you discuss your experience with bipolar disease?
Stephen Fry: Yes. I was first diagnosed actually not to my knowledge as being possibly bipolar when I was about fifteen. I didn’t know this until much later when I made a documentary about my life as a manic depressive or someone with bipolar disorder, whatever you choose to call it, an uppy-downy, mood-swingy kind of guy. In fact, technically I believe the correct diagnosis for my condition is psychothymic, which is like also known as bipolar light in America, which is rather nice and makes it sound like a variety of cola, but bipolar disorder is a mood disorder rather than a personality disorder such as that might mean to anybody, but I think we all kind of get what that is. To me mood is the equivalent of weather. Weather is real. That’s the important thing to remember about weather. It is absolutely real. When it rains it rains. It is wet. You get wet. There is no question about it. It’s also true about weather that you can’t control it. You can’t say if I wish hard enough it won’t rain and it’s equally true that if the weather is bad one day it will get better and what I had to learn was to treat my moods like the weather. On the one hand denying that they were there and saying I can’t… I’m not really depressed. Why should I be depressed? I’ve got enough money. I’ve got a job. People like me. There is no to be depressed. That’s at stupid as saying there is no reason to have asthma or there is no reason to have the measles. You know you’ve got it. It’s there. It’s not about reason. You don’t get depressed because bad things happen to you. That’s getting pissed off and annoyed. That’s reasonable. Someone hits you in the face you go ow, you know that’s… but depression is something that happens like weather to you inside you and it’s not about… It could be triggered by something unfortunate, but it isn’t… You know it’s not enough to talk yourself out of it by saying but I shouldn’t be depressed because I’ve got people who are nice to me, which is frustrating for people outside. They go, “Don’t be depressed.” “Everyone loves you.” “You’re really happy.” “You’ve got a good life.” I know. That is what is so depressing. I can’t help it. So but once youo take a lot of alcohol with it as well, so for many years really I never went out without at least four or five grams of cocaine powder on my person and I would ingest it intranasally as was the fashion through the use of some sort of straw or rolled up currency note and managed to get by on it. I never did that when I was working. I didn’t do it onstage or on while filming or anything. It was a way of ending…
Read the full transcript on bigthink.com/videos/an-uppy-d...

[@zXJulianXz]

I love that Stephen describes it like weather inside your head, that's so beautiful. It reminds me of Charles Dicken's Bleak house and the character of John Jarndyce. He always did strike me as the kind of fellow which might have bipolar. One of the things I remember most about that character was when he used to say 'the wind is in the East today', meaning he was in a bad mood. Yes, I am very taken with the idea of inclement weather as an allegory for mood disorders. Why would I expect any less from somebody like Stephen Fry?

[@jenadill]

Calling Stephen Fry a "Comedian" is absurdly understating his career

[@Kevin-vr9np]

It's like calling hitler a vegetarian... It's true, but it's hardly the whole story.

[@ethanpintar5454]

@Sam Raffield How is he a polymath? His career is as a comedian, as well as acting and writing of course. A polymath would be if he was, say, also an accomplished architect and economist or something. Just because he's intelligent or "gives off the vibe of a polymath" isn't what polymath means.

[@ethanpintar5454]

@Sam Raffield I don't think just being smart what makes someone a polymath. Would you say Stephen Hawking is a polymath then? I've never heard him described as one, despite the fact that he was one of the most intelligent people in the world. Polymath generally means someone who is highly qualified in a particularly wide range of disciplines. If you look up famous polymaths- Leonardo, Benjamin Franklin, al-Biruni, Francis Bacon- they're all particularly known for the fact that they made contributions to an unusually wide number of different academic or artistic fields. As much as I like Stephen Fry, the fact that he's well-spoken and generally knowledgeable doesn't really fit the definition of the word, according to the way it's always been used.

[@ethanpintar5454]

@Sam Raffield Well you just said in your last comment that just being intelligent makes someone a polymath, so that's what I was responding to. Glad we can agree on that now. I mean "comedy to drama to filmmaking" isn't a particularly wide range. Half of comedians are also actors, most prominent actors have also written films. By that standard Steve Carell is a polymath. Again my point here isn't to demean him, it's just not what the meaning of the word polymath is. Being an actor who also does comedy and writes films is relatively typical.

[@ethanpintar5454]

@Sam Raffield But again it's a range that's not particularly notable. Most great actors end up doing some directing or filmmaking, it's within the same field. I don't see how he's unusual in his range really. Is Steve Carell a polymath? He's been hugely successful as a comedian, as well as an actor in both comedy and drama and in directing and producing.

[@RzzRBladezofoccham]

Many people in death are named the Great for no good reason at all. Why not do it right for a change? Stephen the Great.

[@momlulu66]

RzzRBladez I'm with you!

[@akshade93]

RzzRBladez yeap! I'm with you, too!

[@adamhope9030]

+akshade93 yessss

[@self-transforming_machine-elf]

Aren't you getting a bit ahead of yourself?

[@xw591]

Uhhhh did he die???

[@philonaut662]

I love Stephen. Watching his documentary, The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive, was a revelation to me. For a long time, I thought that I was "just a fucked-up person"; that the whole world was as it should be and I am a defective puzzle piece. I hope to one day meet Stephen and thank him for making the film. Thank you, Mr. Fry.

[@IOBYNot]

I love that he calls it "cocaine powder."

[@coreycox2345]

That could be what Sherlock Holmes called it.

[@darkdaxterversionz]

I love the way he describes it. He's spot on. I can relate a lot despite being only chronically depressed.

[@cameronchurchill2749]

It made me cry when he started talking about looking outside for medication. It's so true and so sad and so confusing for everyone else

[@TheGrant59]

Cameron Churchill yeah I knew exactly what he meant sadly

[@nlewis2386]

he makes coke sound so British and classy

[@soulCracka1]

Coke sucks. Snifff!!! I feel great!!!... (3 minutes later) let's do more!! Coke should be called "Diminishing Returns". Feels good at first but then you're doing your 20th line of the hour and your heart is about to explode. Ugggh!!! Horrendous drug imo.

[@andrewmartin6445]

@@SS-et4kz Only stupid self-centred arseholes take cocaine. There's a trail of blood all the way from Columbia so that wankers like you can get high for twenty minutes.

[@psychedelic_salad694]

ikr, then there’s me with a couple of my friends huddled up in the school bathroom sharing a partly bloody dollar bill cause we spent all out money on blow but we didn’t give a fuck

[@THE-WAY_THE-TRUTH_THE-LIFE.]

@@andrewmartin6445 So you do not use cocaine? But you are still acting like a stupid self-centered arsehole.

[@emr2248]

It is classy it's a posh dinner party drug.

[@FriedAbortions]

Only Stephen Fry can talk about doing cocaine and still sound classy as fuck.

[@woden5132]

My Mother respects no one more than Stephen, and when she found out I did Coke once, she called me a loser. I will show her this.

[@pikalink6450]

The key is to say "cocaine powder"

[@ingridaholmes]

@@woden5132 it's been 7 years. If you are still out there, how did it go?

[@southlondon86]

“...on my person”

[@arcane1871]

@@ingridaholmes He didn’t survive. She started doing coke with her son copiously.

[@hyperelliptik]

"When it rains, it rains". God I love this guy! Such wise analogies, I'll definitely use this to explain mental illness next time someone says to "just think positive! :)"

[@joanneroberts1529]

I myself suffer from Cyclothimia and Stephen here has described my condition better than i ever could, go stephen

[@jonjenkins3868]

i have a house full of junk right now that i bought in a mania that im kicking myself in the ass for now and im broke....but soon im gonna love that shit again and get some new shit too..... its the cycle that sucks and you can see it happening but u cant control it

[@vishaljoshi7796]

Well sir.... You aren't alone. Just try to find the why of if you want to get better... Why you want to get better. What is better. When you find the why... It's like a strong pole. So when you feel down or have urges... You can stick to that why. Its like a pole you hold on to in a bad storm

[@Karnaevale]

I wish I had known about Stephen Fry when I was depressed; he is a wonderful example of a human being

[@joanneroberts1529]

I myself suffer from cyclotyhmia and when im feeling like crap i watch this and it reminds me, im i have an illness and its not my fault

[@cachaslokas]

I am so grateful and relieved to come upon this!. For one, I have a great admiration Steven Fry, and also it is the first time that I have heard such elocuent clear and guild removing words about manic depression. Thank you ever so much for posting this

[@LifeLover818]

His analogy of moods to weather is amazing!! Love love love it because it is so incredibly true!

[@PatrickCinderflame]

Wow. I've been living with depression for a while, but his description of cyclothymia sounds pretty accurate for me. Perhaps I need to go talk with my doctor and get re-evaluated.

[@noahgreene5058]

For my family, they enjoy the manic phase... Im fun to be around, Ive got all these good ideas, I feel good, I call them to talk and have all these good things to say, I have all these wonderful experiences. But in my depressive moods Im absolutely terrible, suicidal, irritated, angry, I cant function. They have no idea what to do or what to say.

[@ianedmonds9191]

It's vitally important to be completely honest with an employer at the medical interview. I had two hospitalisations for very extreme depression including being treated with a course of ECT when nothing else worked. I went on to go back to University and finish my degree and have now worked for the same Fortune 100 company for about 12 years. I've had 3 depressive episodes during my time working there and my employer has been very supportive and worked with me to get through each one.

[@OmegaCraftable]

He is just an incredibly charming man :)

[@kiwiprincessful]

How great it is to hear someone in the ublic spotlight be so open and honest about his personal challenges...I have much respect for this man. Famous or not. Thanks for sharing Stephen.

[@disgustedfriend6516]

respect this man for just being open and out there , it encourages me at least for the moment wile we do struggle at times, ill keep it short

[@karlbuttler]

Glad to know I am not the only one suffering with these mood swings.

[@TheMasonX23]

Not at all man, you're not alone

[@AkoSiFrance]

Me too...

[@OceanObsidian]

I have bipolar 2 disorder, and watching this really helps when I am depressed, he really is an idol of mine

[@fluorosco]

Wonderful bloke. Speaks very honestly, with a great deal of common sense. The more i see of him in interviews, the more i admire him.

[@figarofog9409]

I'm so glad he said the depression was more manageable. For me the mania is the worse.

[@notrosie3339]

It's the conflict of making yourself feel freaked out or everyone around you feel freaked out, which is really better? The teeth-grinding on-edge impulsive mania side or the horribly suicidal lazy depressive side. Both have their perks but only in comparison to the other

[@dsahgkg]

i personally love the manic phase. It's the ultimate drug, the feeling to me is so much better than any kind of drug can offer.

[@coreycox2345]

Who wouldn't want to wake up some days to find himself extra smart and energetic?

[@whit2642]

dsahgkg I love my manic phase too. Most bipolar people like us love it. It’s a natural high. But also hate the apologies which are many times in order after those episodes. Also why we tend to get off our medicine so often.

[@soulCracka1]

D.Meyod I'm off my meds now because of a recent manic phase which was highly spiritual/religious. Then came the inevitable crash/levelling off and I'm like "uh oh...what have I done?"

[@aivlysplath]

I enjoy hypomania. But I have psychotic manic episodes and it's very disorienting and scary. It's not fun.

[@dream5142]

I hate it

[@joanneroberts1529]

I myself suffer from cyclothimia and the points he is making are so real

[@aboodz]

I haven't heard/seen anyone describe what I go through more accurately! Just another side of this man's brilliance :)

[@JennhasADHD]

I saw Stephen Fry at the airport in Wellington earlier this year. I wish I went and approached him and thanks him for his doco, watching that really meant alot to me.

[@DaFallenPixie]

Every thing he just described feels like my life exactly! No one else has ever been able to put it into words so accurately before. Another reason I think Stephen is just brilliant.

[@estherday2239]

As always, providing great enlightenment!

[@s.n.d.e2025]

Life is beautiful! Another day above the dirt, is another beautiful day.

[@HotTakeAndy]

So well stated, sir. I've always loved your TV appearances in Bones as the psychologist. Never expected to see the real side of you. You describe it so accurately.

[@EquinoxParadox91]

Suddenly have a lot more respect for this guy.

[@stephenwilkinson949]

Stephen is a beautiful honest empathetic guy ...& This world needs people like him ....he's not artificial or superficial but is weathered by what life has dealed out to him .

[@Venomousse]

I also have manic depression, and I agree. It can be a crippling thing sometimes, but on the other hand if you get lucky and have a real high at an opportune time, it can also work for you.

[@mamajacquelinebts9776]

I used to say,how am I so depressed when I have a beautiful little boy considering I had always wanted to be a mummy. I was diagnosed with emotional instability disorder around 3 years ago,but have just found out that it is in fact cyclothymia coupled with autism. The unfortunate thing with this disorder is how often it is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Stephen Fry is one of my favourite people,I'm so glad he has talked about a bit of his experience with this disorder 😊

[@christinevakas92]

Thank you for explaining this in a way I can remember for my exam. I enjoyed your humour too.

[@savvy_enigma]

Bless this man for his eloquent candor

[@outandbak]

I'd be a millionaire if I could put my life into words

[@ManishKumar-sr8zh]

john wadsworth 60% of bipolars are writers

[@isengrim99]

What an admirable, extraordinary person you are, Stephen!

[@mareno91]

Good honest talk.

[@seth333]

Thank you ❤

[@wozzywick]

Such a helpful video

[@carygoleman]

Amazing video.

[@moonturkey]

Thank you for telling me. It's really hard to find the details of what goes on with bipolar moods as many accounts talk more about the bigger picture.

[@AlexRoshanStewart]

Extremely helpful

[@h1ddengem]

I didnt know him before and kind of stumbled over this video, but god that guy is so intelligent and seems to be such a nice person. Wow.

[@TowardOliver]

Ending is amazing!

[@stephaniedegange2737]

thank you so much.........

[@Swordfishstick]

Stephen Fry is one of my favorite people. Great comedian, an intellectual powerhouse, and a really genuine nice guy.

[@Surrender2No1]

I have Bi-polar disorder I have also been diagnosed with major depression and honestly it is the most maddening thing in the world because no one understands my mind. But when i listen to Stephen Fry my mind calms down and i feel like he understands

[@sharon964]

ive started a cyclothymia support group on facebook if people want to join. its called cyclothymia support

[@TheEverybear]

Thank you Stephen so very much.

[@VinylSamuraisMusic]

Brilliant video. I wish he was my doctor. For years I have had an attraction to Mr Fry (Not in that way, I am straight) There is just something very soothing about him and his intelligence makes me feel that I am going to be alright. Thanks !

[@lohphat]

OK I just go the Islamic Marriage .com ad shoved at me before watching this. WTF? I'm neither Islamic, nor the "marrying kind" (well...depending on the State...) Google Ad Sense: you are dead to me.

[@fortitude9932]

Damn this helped me as a bipolar man

[@YusufNasihi]

After hearing so many people talk about how mental health carries a stigma and how it is never anyone's fault that they suffer from mental illness, I have to say that this might be the first time I am truly convinced of this hypothesis. Especially when he gets into the weather part.

[@andrewmartin6445]

Are you really that thick?

[@619wisey]

really glad that someone as iconic as Stephen Fry has opened up about such a Taboo topic such as bipolarity. I just hope that people begin to understand that it is real ; and people who have it can be ones you don't expect. We are kind you know! :)

[@elliemagic747]

Oh he's really famous! He's in V for Vendetta, and was a psychologist in Bones for a while. He's got a talk show thing on BBC too, I think.

[@annemondi]

He's such a kind guy.

[@dylanlesner8313]

Brought incredible insight to me

[@bellalee27]

This man is an absolute treasure. An inspiration

[@DimePackage]

Appreciate it, Sabeanie, immensely. I learned to maintain only because I wasn't aware there was anything to maintain. Lol Nowadays, I do as you do and let it be what it is. It sucks, but the more people come out the less stigma, the more understanding.

[@dothedeed]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="86">1:26</a> encapsulates a few conversations I've had with ppl about being depressed.

[@WatchDoggyDog]

You know I may be bipolar, we all have highs and lows though so I hope it's just depression. Regardless I am confident I can make the life I want for myself without turning to these drugs that do more harm than good. Meditation and deep breathes and focused intention can go a long way.

[@null_shock7747]

For certain people you are right, ever try to meditate or use deep breathes on a panic attack so intense it starts to effect you physically, both my arms went numb and completely useless, started to hyper ventilate, heart rate around 130 at rest, I completely freaked out, and this happens to me several times a week if I do not take my medication(less frequent with), I have tried your methods, then went to booze, then the doctor gave me xanax, which I do not understand how people get high on this though(I get told by people I am lucky and ask me to sell them some, I tell them to fuck off naturally.), I have been high, xanax just. . .prevents my panic attacks, no high period. I do hope one day I can learn to cope without meds, until then I prefer being called a "pill popper" than having constant panic attacks.

[@Parmesana]

I am glad that Steven said that it is a MOOD disorder and not that one is crazy. There are such misconceptions. I have it, I believe as so much of what he said describes ME. but...I think that many that have it are creative.

[@wilson8383ify]

this means a lot to me thanks Stephen

[@bubbercakes528]

I’m so envious of people who are bipolar and can still be normal. Everyone thinks I’m normal except that I cannot hold a job, my wife left me and I avoid confrontation. Thank heavens for my children. Bipolar sucks.

[@lisajwinter]

I really enjoy how real you are Stephen

[@suzanneh975]

I love how he reflects back to to his days of coping with BPD with the use of narcotics and alcohol goes "I can't believe how I was able do all that, how extraordinary." I do the same reflect reaction 😂 hes amazing

[@cincofone]

@PalulukanMakto Also, you should look into efficacy studies on anti-depressants. They are rarely statistically significantly better than placebo. But they carry way more side effects than placebo. Also they're very addictive (I've seen first hand what happens when people try to get off them, not a fun experience at all).

[@mrrees7558]

I suffered from depression for five years it's hard but u some how learn to manage it and put on a brave face eveyday

[@EverlastingxHope]

I'm loving this man.

[@figarofog9409]

Yass! Think they can solve the problems of the world. Just an example, when I was younger I tried to figure out how feelings are and how they are products of primary feelings. Wtf was I thinking?

[@AnyoneCanSee]

He's right that the up or manic state is usually worse for people to deal with than the down/depressed state. When I was manic people I met would often think I was arrogant or loved my own voice. Sometimes, it would work in small doses and I'd come off as the life of the party and I'd pick up girls at the club but in a normal environment it wore people out.

[@wyattgranger5870]

And then when the depressive crash brings you down You start self-effacingly mulling over every stupid thing you did or said for two weeks

[@Sindri44]

everytime i hear steven fry talk it reminds me of my brother he teaches me everything and they can be compared to each other as they talk to you in the sameish way .........TBH don;t tell my older bro i prefer fry's lectures his voice seems more carn't find the words

[@hannahhoneybourne3229]

Nailed it on the head ..finally a way for people to understand in a very quick way

[@sailorsteve77]

I also have depression with those thoughts but am now taking an SRI drug. Honestly its the best thing i ever did in my life. I feel so much better and confident and happier. Its helped my relationships and my work life. I would give medication a try if you ever feel like things get too much.

[@cincofone]

Yes, i'm also of the opinion that psychedelic substances have great potential (sorted out my once-crippling anxiety completely, basically gives you new perspective on your life) and given that they are safe (the well-studied ones at least) and are only a few-time thing (definitely not everyday like like what pharmaceutical companies push)

[@yanan3681]

Psychedelics really aren't a good thing for bipolar disorder, as a good trip can turn catastrophically bad in a split second due to the over release of mood related hormones by the brain. I'm talking from experience.

[@HenryStradford]

Stephen Fry: "An Uppy-Downy, Mood-Swingy Kind of Guy" Henry Stradford

[@MissSilentNightmare]

Moods and depression = Weather, uncontrollable. Mmm makes sense, well put

[@depourru]

He records it anyway. I remember a quote where he talks about filming QI and being all hunky dory on the outside and on the inside thinking "I want to fucking die." Quite startling and sad.

[@johncapewell7520]

He basically described my highs and then the horrific crash that happens afterwards. The longer the high the longer the crash. I'm not diagnosed because I've never bothered to get myself diagnosed but I'm feeling like I must have bipolar. For me it's unaffordable amounts of cannabis that keep the horrible feelings at bay.

[@violacat1]

i have so much to thank him for

[@bevross93]

Thanks to Stephen Fry for speaking about his personal experience of manic depression. He is helping to break the stigma. I love this guy and his cathedral brain. And funny too. He normalizes an illness which terrifies people. Bless him.

[@mollycarr7683]

My mother doesn't accept me because she simply doesn't understand me she moans if I'm depressed and hates when I'm overly happy.. Nice to feel understood

[@juliahemsworth3990]

What a relief for people who are experiencing these symptons. How brave of him to open up and I am sure he has helped many people. Well done to him.

[@eZU4nQsWN9pAGsU38aHj]

I like the way he talks ^^ Kinda poetic

[@mariafuu2027]

That is a very good point! Drugs, especially strong mood stabilizers, anti-depressants and anti-psychotics, should be a last resort. Every other possibility (apart from ect and other serious treatments) should be tried first. Therapy and other options should be explored first, and if medication is needed the milder ones should be tried first in tandem with therapy.

[@richarddegener]

thank you sir Fry for giving the world a rather splendid insight.

[@nojemifoo]

Thanks to Stephen I found out that probably one of my good friends is bipolar. This helps me soo much to handle this situation. Being open and vulnerable is a wonderful thing, love Stephen for sharing these

[@HiroPlaysGames]

I would listen to Stephen Fry talk about nearly anything for a nearly unlimited period of time. He is so intelligent, eloquent and amiable that it's hard not to be drawn in.

[@billmills]

God Bless The Queen! And Stephen Fry.

[@allaboutdmagic]

Stephen Fry's very eloquent about his condition, as he is with everything else, some of the aspects of his bipolarity sound almost Lewis Carrollesque. Having a disorder myself, anxiety, I can sympathize with some of the troubling "weather patterns". It's useful to talk about it.

[@MrEdboy10]

Just used this to explain my condition to my girlfriends parents! so easy! plus the fact they adore Mr Fry!

[@quix_9u19su]

He didn't say there was. He said that Stephen makes it /sound/ so. It is possible for words to make things seem not as they are, and it is also possible to be moved by words without being persuaded by them.

[@NLarsen1989]

Stephen Fry is an absolute gift to humanity.

[@asfarfafar]

I know right? I suggest you to watch "A bit of Fry and Laurie" and also, all the "QI" episodes :)

[@Volvandese]

I totally agree.