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How Ted Lasso’s Mental Health Struggles Showed Me My Own
I’ve been a broken record on Ted Lasso since the moment I heard it was being released. Jason Sudeikis’s mustachioed coach had been cracking me up for a while thanks to a couple of viral commercials I would often rewatch on Youtube.
I thought we were in for a fun treat — I was of course wrong in the best way. None of us could have seen that, in fact, Ted Lasso was to become the show that moved us, made us happy, made us feel. The show that for just a moment would be a salve on the constant, draining sore that was 2020 and the pandemic.
His relentless optimism, folksy quotability, and vocal disdain for tea was just the ticket to capture our attention — but his purpose to make those around him the best they can be gave us hope.
Ted would never give up on us. He was our rock that we could break against and he’d be there for us with a silly story, an incredible pop culture reference, and a delicious home-made biscuit
And then came my favourite and most relatable moment — no spoilers, but at a moment of great joy and victory, Ted has a huge panic attack.
I knew this experience all too well.
The sudden loss of control, the ringing in your ears, the spiked heart rate, the feeling of being trapped, the confusion. What’s wrong? Why do I feel like I’ve been pushed out of a plane with no parachute? WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?
I knew exactly how Ted felt and my heart broke for him. I just wanted to give him a hug — but it’s okay. Ted has a Rebecca. Everyone needs a Ted, but a Ted needs a Rebecca.
Some of you may not have discovered this, but part of the genius of Ted Lasso is its rewatchability. It hits the same every time. The jokes are just as funny, the new jokes you missed the first time because you were laughing at the other jokes are even funnier, the emotions, the sadness, the embarrassment all hit. As does the panic attack.
My first panic attack confused the hell out of, and scared the shit out of me. I was walking my dogs but my subconscious was convinced I was being robbed at gunpoint. My heart was beating out of my chest, my skin was…
