Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s son, Presley Gerber, candidly opened up about his mental health struggles in a new Instagram video.
Presley, 26, detailed his mental health journey in a video posted on Monday, December 1, explaining that he wanted to discuss the topic because “honesty is the best policy.”
He shared that he is currently on several depressant medications, including Buprenorphine, Xanax and valium. Presley told his followers that he is taking the medications to treat his “panic attacks” amid his mental health struggles.
“The benzos have been fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life,” Presley said. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of loss in many different forms recently, so that is not an excuse, but it’s the reason why I am where I’m at now.”
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Presley also said that he takes Xanax “when the panic attacks are really, really bad” and “a little bit” of valium in the morning. “I don’t know if it’s a little bit or a lot, who f**king knows at this point anymore,” he admitted.
The model went on to admit that he has mixed feelings about using the medications.
Presley shared his concerns about using the medications and the different opinions he’s received from doctors about his treatment.
“The doctors say a lot of different things, so it’s kind of scary, but hopefully between my research and their research … and God, we can figure this out,” he said. “The things that scare me are the things you need to take … if you don’t take them, something not good happens. And there’s a spectrum there on how intense the withdrawal from certain medications is.”
While Presley has seen many doctors to discuss his mental health, he said he feels like he doesn’t have “as much direction as I would like to have” regarding his treatment.
“I’d like doctors to be like, ‘Take this three times a day,’” he said. “But every psychiatrist I’ve had — I’ve had 15 — are like, ‘Here’s 20 medications and take this if you feel like this … and I’m like, ‘No, don’t get me that much leeway.’ I need some direction.”
In addition to taking medication, Presley explained he’s been able to manage his mental health by working out and cutting out alcohol. Additionally, he has surrounded himself with people who have “good influences on me.”
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“As I’ve grown up in Hollywood, there’s a lot of people around me that I love to death, but right now I try not to be around them,” he said.
Presley concluded the video by saying he hopes his message “reaches people in many ways.”
“So you feel like you’re not alone, because that is how I feel most of the time and I have a feeling that if I say all of this, a lot of people will at least know that there’s someone else going through it,” he said. “And the second thing is, hopefully I find some people out here and are willing to help or know someone that can help.”
Shortly after Presley shared the video, several social media users took to the comments section to praise him for his transparency.
“That’s really good that you haven’t had a drink in a couple of months !!! That’s amazing. I respect you for speaking truth,” one person wrote, while another added, “God bless you Presley and we support you always.”
A third social media user chimed in, “You are amazing. Thank you so much for your honesty on your journey and please know that it is helping lots of people. I have been where you are. It is horrible to feel like a science experiment as you figure out what medications are helpful. Stay the course there is light at the end of the tunnel. Much love.”