Geezer Butler Opens Up About Depression

In a recent interview with TalkShopLive, Geezer Butler, the legendary bassist of Black Sabbath, opened up about his past struggles with depression.

At 74, Butler reflected on his battle with mental health, revealing the challenges he faced. He shared:

“Unless you’ve experienced true depression, you can’t describe it. It’s like you’re going to this awful black hole.”

Butler described how he used to cope by channeling his emotions into writing, notably for the classic Black Sabbath track “Paranoid.” Despite not being depressed all the time, the bouts he experienced were profound and isolating, making it difficult to explain his feelings to others.

Butler recounted how, in earlier years, advice like “go and have a drink or take the dog for a walk” felt insufficient. He recalled:

“The doctors would say, ‘Go and watch television or read a book.’
“And, of course, you’ve got no interest in anything.”

It wasn’t until 1999 that Butler was properly diagnosed with clinical depression. He was prescribed Prozac, which began to lift the heavy cloud hanging over him after six weeks of use. “It was great,” he said, describing the relief he felt as the medication started to take effect.

Previously, in an August interview with NPR’s Bullseye With Jesse Thorn, Butler elaborated on his experiences. He noted that societal stigma around mental health made it difficult to seek help. He said:

“Back then nobody ever said anything about depression… people were terrified to mention that you might be depressed.”

This fear prevented him from seeking help sooner. It was only during a nervous breakdown in the 1990s that he finally received a proper diagnosis.

“After six weeks on Prozac, I finally came out of the depression. And I thought, ‘Oh, yeah. This is what I’m supposed to feel like.’”

Butler also revealed that he struggled with feelings of isolation and misunderstanding. He said:

“When I did get depression, people used to think I was moody and miserable.
“They’d say, ‘You’ve got all the money you want, your house, your cars… What’s wrong with you? Cheer up.'”

He emphasized that depression is not related to external success or material wealth. He explained:

“You can have everything you want in the world, but when you get into those dark, depressing days, nothing matters.”

In a more intimate revelation, Butler mentioned that he had resorted to self-harm during his darkest moments. He described a particularly distressing incident where he cut himself deeply, leading to a serious injury. He said:

“Nobody talked about it and nobody understood it.
“People used to think I was really moody, but it was when the depression hit me I couldn’t get out of it.”

Butler has remained on antidepressants since his diagnosis, which he started taking during a tour of America. He has spoken about the ongoing nature of his condition, referring to it as a “disease” with a “big black hole” inside him. He said:

“When you’re in it, you don’t think you’re going to get out of it.
“Once you’re in it, you can’t remember what normal life was like.”

Butler’s struggles and recovery are detailed in his autobiography, Into The Void: From Birth To Black Sabbath – And Beyond, released in June 2023. The book offers a deeper look into his life and career, including his battle with mental health.