Dad on Pills: Fatherhood and Mental Illness
Written by Chris Gethard
Narrated by Chris Gethard
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Editor's Note
Full of humor and heart…
Comedian and new father Gethard writes about his darkest fears as a dad who struggles with mental health (like that his son will also have a giant forehead full of suicidal thoughts) with humor and heart. For fellow mentally ill parents, Gethard’s hilarious personal essay is a reassuring pep talk, full of compassion, empathy, and kindness (and, OK, sometimes a few punches to the throat).
Description
Laughing not to cry isn’t just a survival mechanism for Chris Gethard; it’s his default mode. As one of the untold millions who suffer from terrifyingly unpredictable brain chemistry—and the need to rein it in by pharmacological means—the celebrated comedian knows what it’s like to struggle with mental illness. He also knows mental health disorders can be inherited, a fact that, unfortunately, didn’t help things much when he became a father.
A poignant and hilarious meditation on the wild ride that is a life medicated, Dad on Pills chronicles the perpetual wrestling match of parenthood and partnership while refusing to shy away from the terrible loneliness at the bottom of “having a brain that doesn’t always work so good.” From the comic absurdity and unexpected dread of a birthing class to the sometimes fraught—for this father, at least—utterances of his toddler son, this tragicomic memoir explores Gethard’s own upbringing, as well as his mental illness and its repercussions. “I spend so much time as a parent quietly praying,” writes Gethard. “Praying that my son, my child, this beautiful boy with his big goofy grin, doesn’t feel this thing I have felt so often in my life. The depression, the manic moments, the dangerous instincts.”
But something magical happens along the way: Gethard devises a plan for always being a good and loving father no matter what vicissitudes of biochemistry his kid experiences. Resonating with honesty and vulnerability, shining much-needed light on the very real affliction of mental illness, Dad on Pills is striking in how it challenges us to be ever more humane and understanding while also constantly sucker-punching us with much hard-earned humor.
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About the author
Chris Gethard is a comedian, actor and author. He's the host of the Beautiful/ Anonymous podcast, which was recently adapted into a 4-part series streaming on Topic, the former host of The Chris Gethard Show, and wrote and starred in the HBO special Career Suicide. He also hosts the podcast New Jersey Is The World, a celebration of his home state. In June 2021, Comedy Dynamics released Chris' new comedy special, Chris Gethard: Half My Life, which is a hybrid tour documentary and stand-up special shot in a variety of DIY spaces and independent venues all over the country in 2019. Chris has been seen on television shows such as Space Force, The Office, Broad City, Parks and Recreation, and Inside Amy Schumer. He’s also been seen in films such as The Other Guys, The Heat, Ghostbusters, Anchorman 2, and was one of the stars of Mike Birbiglia’s Don’t Think Twice. Chris can most recently be seen in the HBO Max documentary Class Action Park. Chris is also the author of the books Weird NY, A Bad Idea I’m About to Do, and Lose Well, and the founder of Planet Scum, an online comedy venue for the country’s best underground comedians.
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Reviews
What people think about Dad on Pills
4.8Reader reviews
- (5/5)A great short read for new dads,moms and anyone looking to understand mental illness a little more. Chris is funny, vulnerable and relatable.
- (5/5)Thank you for writing this, Chris. It’s so needed and impactful.
- (5/5)I love Geth. He’s so raw and authentic. You can feel (and hear) the emotion he poured into this book. As a parent with mental illness, I deeply relate to many of his shared experiences and greatest fears. This book helped me realize I’m not alone, and I’m not less of a parent because of the way my brain works. The perfect balance of comedy and a dose of reality.
- (5/5)Been a long time Geth fan, and this, among many other things he has done, is just another stellar chapter in his story that he allows us in on. Thank you Geth.
And much love to everyone livin with mental health issues. - (5/5)chapter6 narration gifted such a tender moment to share in CG's own voice. beautiful. enjoyed every second. crack that first page, press play.
- (5/5)Little on the short side, but he made sure every bit of it was good.