David Letterman Discusses Longstanding Anxiety Issues in Personal Reflection

In 2015, David Letterman candidly shared his long-standing struggles with anxiety, hypochondria, and alcoholism, which he had battled for nearly four decades. During an interview, he reflected on how these issues set him apart from others, stating, "For years and years and years—30, 40 years—I was anxious and hypochondriacal and an alcoholic, and many, many other things that made me different from other people." Letterman revealed that he found a path to calmness through a combination of Transcendental Meditation and low doses of medication. This approach not only helped him manage his anxiety but also provided him with a sense of peace that he had been seeking for years. Additionally, Letterman identified as a Presbyterian, a faith instilled in him by his mother, and humorously noted that he was often motivated by 'Lutheran, Midwestern guilt.' His openness about these personal challenges has resonated with many, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and the potential benefits of meditation in coping with anxiety.