Heston Blumenthal fears watching TV series The Bear could trigger bipolar episode

Heston Blumenthal has expressed concerns that the intense portrayals of kitchen life in the TV show The Bear might provoke a bipolar episode.

The restaurant owner and television chef revealed that he was diagnosed with a mental health issue earlier this year. This followed a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that he received in 2017.

At 58 years old, Blumenthal oversees several restaurants, such as the Fat Duck, which has received three Michelin stars, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, awarded two Michelin stars, the Hind's Head, which has one Michelin star, and the Perfectionists' Cafe.

He mentioned that he hasn't been able to watch the acclaimed series The Bear because it portrays the intense pressure found in a kitchen environment.

Blumenthal shared with BBC Newsnight, "I have a few close chef friends who have contributed to this project, so I believe it must be quite reliable. I look forward to watching it someday, but right now, it's a bit too early for me."

Melanie Ceysson, Blumenthal’s wife, mentioned that he hasn't seen the show, as she believes it could significantly worsen Heston's condition.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health issue characterized by significant shifts in mood, which can differ widely in both frequency and nature. Some individuals may have more episodes of elevated mood or mania, while others tend to face more bouts of low mood or depression. Additionally, many of those affected—but not all—may also struggle with psychotic thoughts. Episodes can be triggered by stress and a lack of sufficient sleep.

Although a lot of individuals remain undiagnosed, the charity Bipolar UK reports that around 1.3 million people in the UK are affected by this condition.

In October of last year, Blumenthal was admitted to a facility following a mental health emergency during which he experienced intense mania, struggled with sleep, had thoughts of self-harm, and faced hallucinations. He has mentioned his desire to share his experiences to help raise awareness and combat stigma surrounding mental health issues.

He was diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder, characterized by episodes of mania that may be succeeded by shorter phases of depression. He now takes medication to help stabilize his mood.

He has thought about whether there were any warning signs earlier in his professional journey. In a BBC interview, Blumenthal mentioned that he put in 120 hours a week during the first decade of his career, stating, "I had no other option."

"I was only getting about 20 hours of sleep each week," he shared. "The restaurant was in its early days, and I would wake up at five in the morning, head to the kitchen, and not leave until midnight. My bipolar disorder didn’t really show itself while I was working in the kitchen."

Blumenthal expressed that he doesn't view his diagnosis in a negative light. Instead, he sees it as an integral aspect of his identity.