Drew Carey has never been shy about discussing his challenges, and now he’s sharing the deeply personal details of his long journey with mental health.
In a candid interview with UsWeekly, the 66-year-old Price is Right host reflected on the profound struggles he faced over the years, including depression, trauma, and a past suicide attempt.
The Impact of Early Loss and His First Struggles with Depression
For Drew, the beginning of his mental health journey started at the young age of eight when he lost his father.
This event marked the start of what would become a lifetime of emotional battles.
Carey shares that the loss of his dad left him feeling empty, and he began dealing with feelings of shame, self-hate, and overwhelming sadness.
It wasn’t just emotional pain that he dealt with, but physical signs too.
His childhood anxiety manifested in extreme nail-biting, to the point where it caused him physical pain. “It hurt to hold a pencil,” he recalls.
He even became embarrassed about his hands, trying to hide them from others.
The Dark Times and Struggles with Self-Worth
As Drew entered his teenage and college years, his self-doubt continued to spiral.
He describes having feelings of not deserving anything good in his life.
“I thought of myself as just little Drew Carey from Cleveland,” he says.
“I felt like I was in the way, so I’d tell jokes to get people to like me.” It was during this time that he tried to take his own life twice—once at 18 and later in his twenties.
He remembers how, at 18, he took a large amount of Sominex in an attempt to end his pain.
Thankfully, he wasn’t successful, and his friends stepped in, taking him to the medical center.
“While I was throwing up, my friend started singing the jingle for Sominex, and I started laughing.
It made me feel a lot better,” he says, describing how humor helped him through that dark moment.
The Road to Healing with Therapy and Self-Help
Although Drew faced those devastating struggles, he credits self-help books and therapy for helping him navigate his way out.
One book that had a significant impact on him was written by Wayne Dyer. “It taught me about guilt and letting go of it,” he shares.
He explains that it changed his mindset, particularly when it came to his tendency to apologize for everything.
“I’d say sorry for things like just walking in front of someone.
I didn’t think I deserved anything good, and I wasn’t able to look people in the eye,” Drew reflects. But slowly, through self-help books and later therapy, Drew began to change the way he saw himself.
The Devastating Loss of Amie Harwick and Its Lasting Impact
In 2020, Drew’s mental health was once again tested when he lost his ex-fiancée, Amie Harwick, in a heartbreaking tragedy.
Amie, a therapist, was murdered by an ex-boyfriend just days after Drew and Amie had texted about meeting up to talk about their relationship.
Drew shares that Amie had reached out to him about forgiveness and they had planned to meet. “I loved her madly, even though we had broken up,” he says.
Drew admits that Amie’s death profoundly affected him, and he hasn’t been able to date anyone since. “I think about her every day.
It’s such a loss, and it still affects me,” he says.
He notes that her death has changed his ideas about intimacy and relationships forever.
Embracing Mental Health and Finding Balance
Despite the hardships he’s faced, Drew has found ways to cope and heal.
He continues to advocate for the importance of mental health, saying everyone should see a therapist.
He also shares that meditation played a major role in his emotional recovery, especially after attending a life-changing 10-day meditation retreat.
“It was based on Buddhist teachings, and it took me to another level,” he says, noting that the practice helped him gain a sense of inner peace.
Drew also emphasizes the role of humor in his healing.
He recognizes that sometimes, even dark humor can help people cope with difficult situations.
However, he stresses the importance of balance: “Sometimes I need serious time to reflect and think about life,” he says.
He also recommends staying off social media at night, a practice that helps him avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Drew Carey’s Journey and Life Today
Looking back, Drew Carey has overcome many challenges.
His journey from the tragic loss of his father to his ongoing struggles with mental health has shaped him into the person he is today.
He continues to be open about his experiences, hoping his story can inspire others.
Drew has lost 80 pounds in recent years, and though he still reflects on the pain of the past, he also acknowledges how far he’s come. “I feel a lot better now,” he shares.
“I’m really looking forward to what comes next.”
Now, as the host of The Price is Right since 2007, Drew has embraced a new chapter of his life.
Through all the highs and lows, Drew Carey continues to be a voice of resilience, using humor and therapy to face life’s challenges head-on.
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