Anthony Bourdain Talked Depression & Isolation

Anthony Bourdain Talked Depression &              Isolation In 'Parts Unknown' Episode

 

Former President Barack Obama offered a touching tribute to him, who died Friday  at the age of 61. Obama tweeted about a meal he shared with the chef, author, and television host in Vietnam in 2016 and honored him for his efforts to make 

us a little less afraid of the unknown.”

Anthony Bourdain revealed he suffered from depression during a 2016 episode of 'Parts Unknown'  

in which he said something as simple as a bad burger could send him into a downward spiral.

He addressed the issue while visiting Argentina, a country that fascinated him because it embraced 

psychoanalysis and mental health treatment. 

 

The episode featured several scenes of Bourdain speaking with his therapist and addressing real issues in his life. And, even though it seems like a joke at first, it becomes clear he's not kidding around. 

 

When asked what brought him into the office, Bourdain says "I'll find myself in an airport, for instance, and I'll order an airport hamburger. It's an insignificant thing, it's a small thing, it's a hamburger, but it's not a good one. Suddenly I look at the hamburger and I find myself in a spiral of depression that can

last for days."

 

He goes on to explain how he often feels alone. "I feel kind of like a freak and I feel very isolated.

I communicate for a living but I'm terrible at communicating with people I care about."

 

The episode ended with Bourdain saying he has positive moments too. "There's the evil cheeseburger

that sets me off. Suddenly I'm super depressed for days. It's like that with the good stuff too. I have 

a couple of happy minutes there where I'm thinking, life is pretty good."(*)