'Stranger Things' Star Discusses 'Mental Breakdown' During Show's Conclusion: 'I Wouldn't Wish it On My Worst Enemy'

David Harbour isn’t shying away from talking about his highly publicized behavior near the end of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

In a new interview with Variety, the 51-year-old actor pointedly addressed concerns about his abrasive behavior right around the time Stranger Things wrapped up its run on the popular streaming provider.

“I had a breakdown,” Harbour explained to the outlet. “I do suffer from some confusing stuff — it’s confusing as hell. I think a lot of people have a friend or a brother or a co-worker that deals with mental health stuff, and they’re probably pretty confused when that person gets depressed or gets manic or has an episode.” 

Discussing his own mental health, Harbour said he appreciates fans’ support, although he is also tired of how ongoing conversations around mental health continue to unfold in today’s culture.

“There’s a lot of irresponsible nonsense going on out there,” Harbour said, going on to reference Scottish disability-awareness campaigner John Davidson, who interrupted this past year’s BAFTA Awards by involuntarily yelling racial slurs. “That poor guy with Tourette’s and that unfortunate situation — we’re either going to acknowledge that mental illness is a thing or we’re not. We can stone everyone to death if you want!”

“Under times of extreme stress, that can cause somewhat erratic behavior, and it’s embarrassing, and I’m ashamed of it,” Harbour went on to say of his mental state. “It’s not something I choose, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I do feel like, for some of us, our gifts are inextricably linked with our illnesses. To have a nervous system that reacts to the world in a too-delicate way can allow me to have that moment that I love on the swings with [DTF St. Louis co-star Jason Bateman]. But it can also force me, in moments of extreme stress, to act a little weird.”