Matt Berninger, frontman of The National, openly shares his experiences with depression and anxiety, which have become particularly acute following the release of I Am Easy to Find in 2019 and his solo project Serpentine Prison in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated his condition, leading to a creative crisis and a sense of “emotional paralysis” where he was unable to write lyrics and felt like “the train had derailed.”
In an interview with David Letterman, Berninger described how the lack of touring and isolation exacerbated his depression. He noted that switching between his public persona and personal life has been a source of stress for him. The song “Smoke Detector” from the album Laugh Track contains the line “pharmacy slippers”, referring to his experience getting medication for depression .
Support from family and coworkers played a key role in his recovery. Berninger’s wife, Karin Besser, helped him realize that depression is an illness, not a personal weakness. Her words, “It’s not you, it’s just your brain right now” inspired the song “Tropic Morning News” .
Berninger also noted that stopping alcohol and marijuana use, as well as starting to take antidepressants, helped him return to his creativity. He stressed that depression is a “real illness” and it’s important to recognize it and seek help .
Matt Berninger’s story serves as a reminder that even successful and talented people can face mental health challenges. His openness and honesty inspire others to not be afraid to talk about their feelings and seek support.