Long after the Game of Thrones final season, Kit Harrington opens up about his mental health journey.
The Journey Begins
Our Jon Snow, Kit Harrington, has been riding a roller coaster of fame, stress, and personal issues since catching the limelight in 2011.
The actor, known for his iconic role in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones, has taken a detour from his previous path to address the darker aspects of his life.
Struggles Amidst Stardom
Harrington’s ride to fame was a rocky one, with personal challenges lurking in the shadows.
As the final season of Game of Thrones aired in 2019, the British actor sought refuge in a luxury wellness retreat in Connecticut.
The retreat, known as Privé-Swiss, offered him a sanctuary from the stresses of public life and the pressures of his drinking problem.
A Much-Needed Escape
The retreat, known for its specialized programs for various mental health conditions and executive burnout, provided the actor with a much-needed break.
Featuring a week-long ‘Independent Intensive Program,’ the facility offered a unique blend of cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, yoga, and meditation sessions.
The luxurious retreat, which costs a hefty sum, aims to teach clients how to cope with stress and negative emotions.
The Battle With Alcohol
A close source revealed that Harrington was primarily at the facility to deal with stress, exhaustion, and alcohol issues.
The actor had previously been in the headlines for his drunken escapades at a New York City bar, where he had to be forcibly removed by the staff.
However, Harrington’s retreat into wellness came at a time when he was deeply impacted by the end of the long-running HBO series.
The Impact of Game of Thrones
The HBO series was not just a job for Harrington; it was a significant part of his life.
The show’s end hit him hard, which was evident in the two-hour documentary released by HBO after the finale.
Behind the scenes footage showed the actor tearing up as he learned about the fate of his character.
The Rehab Experience
Speaking on the Hidden 20% wellness podcast recently, Harrington opened up about his rehab experience.
He admitted to entering the rehab facility under the influence and sobering up in there. However, he was not comfortable with the treatment approach and decided to leave the facility shortly after.
“I realized that my life was hinging on this,” he said. “Luckily, it was the right place at the right time. I managed to forge a new life from there.”
The Emotional Turmoil
Harrington’s emotional turmoil was not limited to the series’ end.
In a previous interview with Variety, the actor revealed that he sought therapy during the height of his Game of Thrones fame, particularly after his character’s brief death at the end of the show’s fifth series.
He expressed his discomfort with the entire show’s focus shifting onto Jon Snow, which made him feel incredibly vulnerable.
“My darkest period was when the show seemed to become so much about Jon when he died and came back,” the actor revealed.
“I didn’t like the focus of the whole show coming onto Jon. When you become the cliffhanger of a TV show and a TV show probably at the height of its power, the focus on you is f—–g terrifying.”
The ADHD Diagnosis
During his stint in rehab, Harrington was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Although he initially tried to deal with this diagnosis on his own, he eventually realized the importance of professional intervention. Now, he claims to be sober and “present,” focusing on his two young children.
The Struggles of Parenthood
Parenting, however, comes with its own challenges for the actor. Harrington admitted to sometimes being “restless” while playing with his children due to his ADHD.
However, he is determined to stay present and focused for them.
The Downward Spiral
The actor confessed to trying to maintain an image of sophistication and coolness despite being terrified inside.
This fear and insecurity led him down a dangerous path, where he found himself obsessively reading online comments about his performance.
Potential Jon Snow Spinoff
In the midst of all this, HBO is reportedly considering a Jon Snow spinoff.
Although the project is still in the exploratory stages, if it comes to fruition, Harrington is expected to reprise his role.
This potential development could mark a new chapter in the actor’s career, hopefully one that is less taxing on his mental health.
The Journey Continues
Today, Harrington stands as a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health issues in the limelight.
As Harrington continues his journey towards wellness, we wish him all the best and look forward to seeing more of him on our screens.