Will Friedle's Hidden Battle: Anxiety Behind the Laughter

Will Friedle, known for his iconic role as Eric Matthews in the beloved sitcom "Boy Meets World," recently shared his personal struggles with anxiety during the show's final season.

At just 17 years old, Will landed the role that would make him a household name. However, by the time the show's seventh season rolled around, he was grappling with severe anxiety that left him bedridden and self-medicating with alcohol.

A Difficult Reflection

Reflecting on this challenging period, Will admitted that watching the first episode of Season 7 was particularly difficult. He had only been on medication for about a month, which contributed to significant weight gain, but his life was spiraling out of control.

During a wig fitting, he experienced a panic attack so intense that he considered climbing out the window to escape. Despite his internal turmoil, Will managed to hide his struggles from his colleagues, later referring to it as "the best acting I've ever done."

Support from Co-Stars

His co-star, Rider Strong, recalled how Will would often pull over every 15 minutes during drives to Lake Arrowhead due to panic attacks.

Will also shared a harrowing experience from filming the 1999 movie "H. E. Double Hockey Sticks," where he had a panic attack mid-scene. This incident made it into the final cut of the film, marking a turning point in his life.

Overcoming the Struggle

Will's anxiety was so severe that he became bedridden for three weeks and heavily medicated. He even had a panic attack on a plane ride home, curling up in his seat and wishing he could open the plane door to escape.

Despite the challenges, Will managed to complete the season and has since learned to manage his anxiety. He now advocates for talking about mental health struggles, emphasizing that holding it in only makes things worse.