'It doesn't really matter': Alan Ritchson says people don't notice his depressive state as he's focused at work

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alan Ritchson, the 'Reacher' star, 41, opened up about his mental health struggles and how he copes with them.

Ritchson described about dealing with bipolar disorder which he was diagnosed with at 36 years old and how it has affected his daily life.

How does bipolar disorder affect Alan Ritchson's work and life?

Ritchson told Men’s Health on February 27 that his depressive state can go unnoticed by others.

“It doesn’t really matter, because I am so focused at work,” he said, adding “I could go weeks without people even knowing I feel a certain way.” However, his manic episodes are more noticeable and disruptive.

“When I’m manic and I feel like something isn’t living up to its best potential, it usually comes out in a very — not in a mean way — but in a ‘this has to be better’ way,” he continued.

“Like a very, almost obsessive ‘this has to be better.’” He gave an example of how his mania can affect his decision-making and behavior.

“This thing like — ‘I gotta find a perfectly white pair of shoes that look like a tennis shoe but aren’t.’ Three days later, eight pairs of shoes show up that are all identical. And I’m like, ‘Oh, s****, I’m manic right now,’” he said.

How did Alan Ritchson manage his bipolar disorder while filming 'Reacher'?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes “extreme mood swings,” including “emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression),” according to Mayo Clinic.

The symptoms can impact energy, sleep, personal choices and thought patterns.  Ritchson experienced both highs and lows while filming the first season of 'Reacher', which premiered in 2022.

He recalled that the stunt coordinator quit after the shoot because he thought Ritchson was too reckless and did not follow his instructions.

“I was like, ‘I’m doing the f*****g stunt,’” he told Men’s Health, remembering how he refused to leave the set when the coordinator intervened. “It was manic behavior," he added.

Alan Ritchson finds support from his family and friends

Alan Ritchson said that he relies on his loved ones and his colleagues for support. He has three children, Calem, 11, Edan, nine, and Amory, eight, with his wife Catherine Ritchson. The couple married in 2006 and celebrated their 15th anniversary in May 2021.

“15 years ago today two kids got married,” Alan wrote in an Instagram post, adding "They had no idea what splendid and terrible things lie ahead of them when they made that vow to remain each other’s partner in life, come what may."

"Despite the precarious highs and the suffocating lows, they’re still holding hands," he added.

He also mentioned that he had an assistant who was aware of his bipolar disorder and helped him monitor his mood changes on the 'InstaChurch YouTube channel in 2021, Us Weekly noted.