Pete Davidson, the comedian and actor known for his candid discussions about his life, has openly shared his struggles with mental health, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In a revealing interview on the “Real Ones With Jon Bernthal” podcast, Davidson delved into the deeply personal reasons behind his PTSD, primarily stemming from the tragic loss of his father, a New York City firefighter, during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This event, occurring when Davidson was just seven years old, has had a profound and lasting impact on his mental well-being, shaping his experiences with trauma, self-harm, and borderline personality disorder.
The 9/11 Tragedy and Loss of His Father
Scott Davidson, Pete Davidson’s father, was a dedicated firefighter who served with the FDNY and tragically lost his life during the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. For young Pete, the day began with a normal promise from his father, who said he would pick him up from school. However, that promise was irrevocably broken when Scott Davidson responded to the call of duty and never returned home. The immense grief and sudden loss of his father at such a formative age became the foundational trauma that Pete Davidson has been navigating ever since. The public perception of Davidson sometimes focuses on his jokes about his father, but as he clarified in the podcast, these jokes are a way for him to keep his father’s memory alive and are not intended to solicit sympathy. His defensiveness on the topic underscores the deep emotional connection he still holds for his father and the pain associated with his loss.
The Promise and the Trauma: A Child’s Perspective
The specifics of 9/11 for Pete Davidson were particularly traumatizing. His father’s promise to pick him up from school that day created a child’s anticipation that turned into devastating confusion and loss. Instead of his father, his mother was the one who arrived, marking the beginning of a life-altering realization. Weeks passed before the full weight of the tragedy became clear to young Pete. He recounted the moment he learned about his father’s death: it wasn’t a personal conversation, but rather the stark announcement on television news reporting the fatalities of firefighters from the World Trade Center attack. This indirect and public confirmation of his father’s death amplified the trauma. In therapy, Davidson and his therapist have pinpointed this broken promise and the subsequent manner of discovering his father’s fate as significant contributors to his PTSD. This event instilled in him a deep-seated sense of abandonment and insecurity that has permeated his life and relationships.
PTSD, BPD, and Self-Harm: Manifestations of Trauma
The trauma of losing his father on 9/11 manifested in various ways throughout Pete Davidson’s life. Beyond PTSD, he has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a condition characterized by an intense fear of abandonment, which he directly links back to his childhood trauma. As Davidson explained, “dad says he’s coming to pick you up and he doesn’t,” this childhood experience created a foundational distrust and expectation of abandonment in his relationships. This fear of abandonment is a core component of BPD and profoundly impacts how he forms and maintains connections with others.
Furthermore, Davidson has openly discussed his struggles with self-harm, including cutting and banging his head against walls. These acts were coping mechanisms, albeit destructive ones, for dealing with overwhelming emotions and distress. He described self-harm as a way to escape unbearable feelings, a desperate attempt to find relief when emotional pain became too intense. His journey towards healing involves understanding these self-destructive impulses and developing healthier coping strategies.
Therapy and Healing: Path to Recovery
Therapy, particularly trauma-focused therapy and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), has been instrumental in Pete Davidson’s journey to manage his PTSD and related mental health challenges. DBT has equipped him with practical skills to cope with intense emotions and self-destructive behaviors. He shared specific techniques he uses, such as taking cold showers or listening to music, to manage self-harm urges. These methods help him to redirect his focus and ride out the intense emotional waves, which he notes usually subside within fifteen to twenty minutes.
Davidson emphasizes the importance of understanding that temporary setbacks do not equate to complete failure. This perspective is crucial for someone with PTSD and BPD, conditions that can amplify negative feelings and create a sense of instability. Therapy has also helped him process the complex emotions surrounding his father’s death and the subsequent impact on his life. He acknowledges the long and ongoing nature of healing, recognizing that while he is “getting better,” it is a continuous process of self-awareness and management. Learning to accept and even embrace happiness, after a long period of discomfort, is a significant part of his recovery, indicating substantial progress in his mental health journey.
Conclusion
Pete Davidson’s PTSD is deeply rooted in the childhood trauma of losing his father in the 9/11 tragedy. The broken promise, the manner of learning about his father’s death, and the profound grief of losing a parent at a young age have collectively shaped his mental health journey. His openness about PTSD, BPD, and self-harm not only provides insight into his personal struggles but also contributes to broader conversations about mental health, trauma, and the importance of seeking help. Davidson’s commitment to therapy and his willingness to share his experiences offer a message of hope and resilience to others facing similar challenges, demonstrating that healing and progress are possible even in the face of profound trauma.
