Alan Ritchson opens up on his bipolar disorder and ADHD diagnosis, says 'wife and kids were concerned' about his mental health

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alan Ritchson bravely shared his experience with a mental health breakdown and how he overcame his past suicide attempt.

The 'Reacher' actor shared that he found himself in a dark place mentally and referred to it as his "existential crisis."

Alan Ritchson says he ended up 'stuck in bed for weeks'

In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ritchson said that his mental health deteriorated to the extent that he ended up being "stuck in bed for weeks" during the postproduction on 'Dark Web: Cicada 3301' in which he was involved as a writer, director, producer, and actor.

“My wife and kids were concerned, and I could see confusion in their eyes. Nobody knew what was wrong,” he said, disclosing that he went into his attic to attempt suicide.

“I hung myself. It all happened so fast, and I was dangling there," said Ritchson.

Revealing that his life was saved by a vision of his young sons from the future, he said the boys "calmly asked me not to do it, and told me that they wanted me to be here, alive and part of their lives."

Alan Ritchson reveals he was diagnosed with ADHD

The actor shared that after he had a vision of his children, who are now 11, 10, and eight years old, he was able to pull himself up.

He then quickly called a doctor and "was diagnosed as bipolar right after.”

Four years later, at the age of 40, Ritchson was diagnosed with ADHD. “Deep down, I was comforted to know, ‘OK, there’s a name for this,’” he said. 

He further shared that after a few months of struggle with mental health, his friend suggested he try MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy.

“I had never done drugs but I was truly, like, ‘Well, I might kill myself tomorrow, what do I have to lose?’ So, I did it. I swear to God, the biggest light bulb went off, and it rewired my brain in the best way,” said the 41-year-old.

“MDMA is a proven therapy to treat PTSD in veterans, and it’s something that can work in cognitive therapy settings.” 

“I loved it and wanted to do it every day,” he continued. “But, for me, for a year or two, it became like therapy. It allowed me to write and be productive. Thankfully, I was able to move past it," he continued.

Speaking about how his mental health disorder has impacted his life, the actor said, “Being bipolar has wreaked havoc on my life many, many times. I would wish it away if I could, but it’s so much a part of who I am now that I should celebrate it a little or, at least, accept it."

“Mental health is an everyday conversation for me,” Ritchson added.