David Harbour Talks ‘Intense Psychotherapy’ Amid Struggles

Following a bipolar disorder diagnosis at the age of 25, David Harbour has been taking medical steps to improve his health, and he’s now going even further.

The “Hellboy” star has endured an intense personal battle. While managing his mental health, Harbour also faced a separation from his wife, Lily Allen, and stepped away from a major project.

Now, Harbour is opening up about the progress he’s making as he continues his journey toward better health.

The “Thunderbolts” actor peeled the curtains back on his personal journey, highlighting the work he has been doing privately to support his well-being and stability.

“I have been in therapy since I got sober in 1999,” Harbour shared in a Future of Personal Health article, per Entertainment Weekly. “When I quit drinking, it forced me to confront a lot of demons that rose to the surface,” Harbour added, emphasizing how important therapy has been for him in getting through. 

The 50-year-old Netflix star noted he “has not had a manic flare-up since I started psychoanalysis with a good therapist.”

Describing those episodes, Harbour explained that his thoughts become “disordered and chaotic,” with meaningless details suddenly taking on significance. 

He added that the flare-ups were accompanied by what he described as a “fundamental narcissism,” which made him feel like the center of everything.

According to Harbour, a recent change in his approach has made a significant difference. “Only recently have I started intense psychotherapy, and it has made a world of difference in my treatment,” he said.

Harbour’s candid remarks come just days after he reportedly stepped away from his role in the upcoming Searchlight Pictures drama “Behemoth!”

Harbour was last seen on set on December 10, when he and co-star Olivia Wilde were photographed filming in Los Angeles.

According to The Blast, insiders say that the 50-year-old decided to focus on his health following an exhausting promotional run for the final season of “Stranger Things.”

Before exiting the forthcoming project, Harbour’s repeated absences during the Netflix show’s global press tour had raised questions. He skipped the London premiere on November 13 and did not attend a New York City event celebrating the final season on December 18.

In addition to missing several public appearances, Harbour allegedly caused a disturbance at a California bar last month after taking another patron’s hat. 

As The Blast previously reported, a video circulating online showed the actor grabbing the man’s cap and running outside while shouting, as the visibly confused patron followed behind. Fortunately, the situation was resolved without physical confrontation, and the item was returned.

Witnesses claimed Harbour made unsettling remarks before the incident, later throwing the hat to the ground, asking questions about the Iraq War. At one point, he became emotional and briefly knelt to pray.

One source said they “wouldn’t be surprised” if Harbour’s bipolar disorder triggered the incident, noting that the demands of work combined with public scrutiny may have made it harder for him to maintain stability.

Alongside opening up about his mental health, the “Black Widow” actor has also spoken about his broader life experiences, including past regrets and missteps.

In a November 2025 interview, Harbour was asked whether he would change anything about the last 50 years of his life.

Per The Blast, he acknowledged that regret is complex, noting that “even the pain and the slip-ups and the mistakes” have shaped his identity. According to the New York native, to change an experience would mean erasing the lessons and growth that came with it.

Amid Harbour’s personal struggles, rumors surfaced accusing him of bullying his co-star Millie Bobby Brown. Brown soon addressed those claims, stressing that their relationship remains strong.

“We’ve been doing that for the last 10 years. I mean, we have always been united in that. We love this show with everything, and we value our friendship more than anything,” she said, as The Blast reported.

The show’s co-creators echoed her remarks, emphasizing that the cast shares a close, family-like bond.