Mood swings fuelled Heston Blumenthal's genius. But the highs got higher and the lows got darker

Heston Blumenthal, the world-renowned chef famous for his innovative dishes like bacon-and-egg ice cream and snail porridge, has recently opened up about his long struggle with bipolar disorder. For many years, Heston did not realize that his extreme mood swings were symptoms of a mental illness. His son Jack recalls how difficult it was to have a simple, relaxing conversation with his father because of his unpredictable behavior. Jack, who is now a restaurateur himself, remembers how they would prepare for weeks just to spend a short time with Heston, only to find it challenging to connect. This emotional distance caused pain for both father and son.

At the height of his career, Heston’s creative genius was fueled by what he thought were just natural mood changes. His highs brought bursts of inspiration, but over time, the lows became deeper and more troubling. He describes moments when he had to lie on the floor to manage his feelings during filming. In late 2023, his condition worsened dramatically, leading to hallucinations and paranoia. This crisis resulted in his first hospital admission and a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Heston expressed surprise that it took until he was 57 years old to receive this diagnosis, highlighting the challenges many face in recognizing and treating mental health conditions.

Following his diagnosis, Heston began a careful process of changing his medications under medical supervision. He was moved onto lithium, a mood stabilizer considered the gold standard for bipolar disorder treatment. Although the transition was difficult and initially made him feel numb and forgetful, over time, the medication helped him regain his energy and focus. Heston’s openness about his journey aims to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment. His story also sheds light on the impact of mental illness on families and the need for better mental health support systems.