Model Presley Gerber, the 26-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, has delivered a raw and emotional update on his ongoing mental health struggles. In a candid black-and-white video shared to his Instagram this week, Gerber opened up about the 'scary' reality of his condition and the complex regime of medications he uses to manage it.
A Candid Confession on 'Mental Health Monday'
Under the banner of his regular 'Mental Health Mondays' posts, Gerber stated 'I feel like honesty is the best policy' as he filmed from inside a sauna. He revealed he is currently taking 1mg of Buprenorphine twice daily, a medication used to treat pain and opioid use disorders. He also discussed his use of Benzodiazepines, or 'benzos', which he said have been 'fluctuating up and down depending on what's been going on in my life.'
These medications, which the Cleveland Clinic notes help slow down brain and nervous system activity to treat anxiety, are a key part of his management of severe symptoms. He specifically cited suffering from 'night terrors' and 'panic attacks', for which he also takes a small dose of Xanax at night or during acute episodes.
Navigating Loss and a Lack of Medical Direction
Gerber linked a recent downturn in his mental health to personal loss. 'Unfortunately, I've had a lot of loss in many different forms recently,' he explained, adding this was a reason, not an excuse, for his current state. While he did not specify the nature of these losses, his family, including his mother Cindy and sister Kaia Gerber, mourned the death of their family dog, Widget, back in May after nearly two decades.
A significant part of his struggle, he shared, is the lack of clear guidance from medical professionals. Having seen around 15 psychiatrists, he expressed frustration with being given broad choices over his medication. 'I'd like doctors to be like, "Take this three times a day." But every psychiatrist I've had... are like, "Here's 20 medications and take this if you feel like this." I need some direction,' he said, admitting 'doctors say a lot of different things so it's kind of scary.'
Building a Supportive Community and Offering Hope
In his search for stability, Gerber explained he is consciously building a positive community around him, even stepping back from some Hollywood circles. 'I've grown up in Hollywood, and there's a lot of people around that I love to death, but right now, I try not to be around them,' he admitted. He has also abstained from alcohol since his birthday on July 2.
His primary motivation for sharing such intimate details is to connect with others. He expressed hope that his story helps people 'feel like you're not alone, because that is how I feel most of the time.' He added, 'I have a feeling if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there's someone else going through it.'
Gerber has spoken about mental health publicly for years, first launching his 'Mental Health Mondays' at age 23. He has previously described the struggle as 'the ultimate pandemic' and a '24/7 job'. In the past, he has also discussed removing a prominent 'Misunderstood' tattoo from his face, a visible symbol of a younger, more turbulent period in his life.
