The recent online storm surrounding Stranger Things stars has left fans questioning the potential reason behind the alleged tension between David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown. While nothing has been confirmed, discussions have turned toward Harbour’s candid reflection about his own battles with mental health.

In a 2018 appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast, the actor revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 25 after a manic episode. “Here’s the interesting thing, which I’ve actually never truly spoken about publicly,” he said, adding,

I actually was in this Catholicism thing … and I was sober for like a year and a half, I was 25, and I actually did have a manic episode, and I was diagnosed as bipolar.

Further in the conversation, he also opened up about his experience in the asylum and how he eventually managed to find balance and stability after his diagnosis.

David Harbour Recalled Being Committed to a Mental Asylum

During his appearance on the podcast, David Harbour revealed that his condition got so severe that his parents eventually had him committed to a mental asylum for treatment and safety.

“I have a capacity to see ‘the elves’ in the corners of the room if I really allow myself to go there. So I actually was, by my parents, taken into a mental asylum,” he shared. The actor also reflected on his experience inside the mental asylum and how it was far from what he once imagined.

“One is being in a mental asylum. Really, really not as fun as you think it is,” he said, adding, “You do have a romantic idea of it … and it just ends up being sad and smells like sh*t.”

Harbour also discussed starting medication for his bipolar disorder, as he explained that managing his condition has been a long process, marked by challenges of going on and off medication, and how it’s been part of his journey toward stability.

David Harbour Opens Up About Finding Stability With Bipolar Disorder

Further in the conversation, David Harbour also opened up about how he has learned to manage his mental health in a way that works for him personally. Reflecting on how his manic episodes often occurred when he got too caught up in spirituality or searching for deeper meaning, Harbour shared,

Generally, people are like, ‘I need to meditate more’ or ‘I need to get into yoga.’ And I need to like, eat a cheeseburger and just like, smoke cigarettes and hang out.

He also shared that he has learned that staying grounded in ordinary, everyday activities helps him maintain stability. “Because like the minute I get close to that — what I consider a flame — of like ‘the answers’ and the mysticism … it’s like I’m out of my mind,” he revealed.

The actor also advised people struggling with similar issues to relax and take it easy, because for him, staying grounded and ordinary is the key to finding stability in his mental health.

How true do you think the claims are about Stranger Things stars David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown? Share with us.

Stranger Things Season 5 will premiere on Netflix on November 6, 2025.