You may have heard that Robert Pattinson recently had a bit of a freak-out, or what some are calling a nervous breakdown, after being caught in the rain while filming Bel Ami. This is what Twitter had to say about the incident:
“Just saw #RobertPattinson and heard he had a nervous breakdown on set because of the rain. Very sorry to hear that. He was brilliant in Bel Ami.”
Well, what happened? Let’s unpack this. First off, we need to establish what a nervous breakdown actually is. Merriam-Webster defines a nervous breakdown as:
- a psychological crisis resulting from severe stress or anxiety
- a temporary state of great mental or emotional stress due to extraordinary circumstances
- a mental or emotional collapse caused by internal or external pressure
So, as you can see, not a lot of clarity there. Mental_floss clarifies that a nervous breakdown is a momentary loss of composure or control:
“A nervous breakdown is a temporary loss of composure or control that is usually caused by extreme stress or anxiety. It is often accompanied by insomnia, irritability, and extreme shyness. When this occurs, it can be very confusing for the person experiencing it, especially since many of the symptoms are similar to those of a depression. It is important to note that a nervous breakdown is not the same as a depression; however, it can occur alongside or after a major depressive episode. Nervous breakdowns usually last from a few hours to a few days before a person gradually returns to their baseline functionality. Some people also experience a complete recovery within a few weeks or months of having one.”
Which brings us to our next point. Is Robert Pattinson really having a nervous breakdown? Well, it’s hard to say. While most people are using the term ‘breakdown’ to describe the incident, Pattinson himself has been using other terms. On February 7, he tweeted:
“Sometimes life gets so busy that you don’t stop to smell the roses. When that happens, you’d better believe it’s time for a break. Taking a step back from all the activity helps you see things more clearly and appreciate what is important to you. I’m very lucky to have a wonderful family and friends who make life feel less complicated. I’m also grateful to be working on projects that I love. Everything in moderation :)”
So, we have a celebrity tweeter using the term ‘break’ instead of ‘nervous breakdown’, which can mean one of two things. Either he is copping out and using the easier term, or he truly didn’t experience a nervous breakdown, which is what we want to believe. For the time being, let’s go with the former – that he is just using the term ‘break’ because he doesn’t want to admit defeat. What might be happening is that he believes this is the best way to cope with his anxiety. Some mental health professionals might advise against taking a break in order to solve your problems. However, since this is a personable and likeable celebrity with an engaged audience, it seems he is doing exactly what he should be doing.
Why Did He Have Anxiety?
For many of us, anxiety is a fairly common reaction to a major life change or transitioning phase. Whether you are leaving behind your comfort zone and heading into the unknown, or are taking on a new role or responsibility, it is not uncommon to feel some anxiety. This can be a good thing. It can also be a bad thing depending on how you look at it. The good news is that there are ways to deal with your anxiety, and Robert Pattinson is no different.
In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, Pattinson opened up about his anxiety:
“I think a lot of it comes from touring. I don’t like being away from home, and then you’re in a different country for a couple of weeks, and then you’re gone for another two weeks. Especially when you’re on the road – you get this loneliness. I think a lot of it comes from not wanting to be away from home for too long, and then you get home and you’re like, ‘Ahhh, I’m glad I’m not on the road anymore.’ It’s just like when you watch a horror movie and it gets to the part where everyone is getting their freak on and stuff, and you’re like, ‘No, stop, don’t do that! Don’t do that!’ You just want to hug them and be like, ‘Please don’t attack me!’ It’s the same with horror movies. You’re just in this state of fear, where anything can happen, and then you’re like, ‘Oh, it’s not so bad, it’s not so bad.'”
Now, it is important to note that being on the road for so long doesn’t have to be the cause of your anxiety. It might be that you are experiencing anxiety whether or not you are on the road. This is why it is important to seek help from mental health professionals if you are seriously concerned that this might be the case.
Will He Be Back?
Well, it seems that Robert Pattinson will be returning to the big screen, albeit in a reduced capacity. On February 8, he tweeted:
“I just watched the documentary about my life. It was fascinating. Lots of good stuff in there. I’m glad people found it interesting. There are lots of stories in there that haven’t been told before. Lots of things I wish I had said before but maybe didn’t have the nerve. I think there’s a part two. Maybe I’ll do a third as well. The journey continues. Thanks for the support. Love you guys.”
So, while we wait for more information on part two, it seems that Pattinson will be back. In the meantime, let’s take a moment to appreciate his work. In the above video, Pattinson provides a stunning portrayal of a Dom/submissive personality type. Check out his work in the trailer for Bel Ami, which is currently available to stream on Netflix:
What Does This Mean For Fans?
Now, for the real question: what does this mean for Robert Pattinson’s fan base? First of all, we need to establish that these fans are not all girls. I mean, clearly, they are. But, while they can be very persuasive, they are not all that. This is important to remember. Secondly, this means that there are other things to look forward to besides Pattinson’s upcoming work commitments. Thirdly, this might mean that we will see more of him on our screens. Fourthly, this might mean that he will be open to performing live, which could be a bonus for all of us. Lastly, this might mean that he will be looking for other outlets – possibly writing? – for his creative energy. This is certainly a rich reward for all of us who believe in karma, because without getting into all the nasty details, let’s just say that he has not always been so considerate of the people around him.
In the end, this might be a good thing for all of us. The important thing is that this is not a bad thing. It just is. That’s all. You might not like it, but that’s all. We are all human, and none of us are perfect. Some of us might be doing better than others in some areas, but that doesn’t mean we are not struggling in other areas as well. We all need help sometimes, and that’s what we find with Dr. Jennie Breyer, Founder and Director of The Jennie Breyer Group, LLC.