Crazy Is The New Black

Adam Duritz is opening up about his mental illness.

The Counting Crows lead singer is admitting publicly that he's spent the last few years battling severe depression and an inability to connect with people.

"I've been dealing with mental illness," Duritz says. "But I didn't want to say anything for a long time. I went crazy. It was scary."

After years of not being able to sort out what was going wrong, Duritz finally found a doctor who pinpointed the issue. He was diagnosed with a disassociative disorder, which can distort reality for those who have it.

He needs to have a nice long chat with Britney. It'll be good for her to have peers that have gone through similar issues.

The new Counting Crows album, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings, is a double album inspired by the painful journey Duritz went through.

"The album is about a downward spiral, losing my mind and about trying to get it back," he says. "Not about getting it back but trying to get it back."

Seems like he's doing much better and that's a good thing!

[Image via WENN.]

Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 4:20 pm / Email this »

See All 142 Comments

142 comments to “Crazy Is The New Black”

More comments: [1] 2 »

SHANNON says – reply to this

1

I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE ADAM DURITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
$cientology Kills says – reply to this

2

RECONNECT . ORG
XENU . NET
Protest April 12th - Operation Reconnect
Scientology kills !!!
CMS says – reply to this

3

aren't we all?
pig says – reply to this

4

3
kk says – reply to this

5

firsttttt!
emily says – reply to this

6

seems like he's just trying to get press for this new album and tour…just sayin
nicki says – reply to this

7

hey !
Suzzz says – reply to this

8

Last.
ANNETTE says – reply to this

9

BEING CRAZY IN NOW.
Anonymous says – reply to this

10

scientology is a cult !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rachelle says – reply to this

11

First!
squintz says – reply to this

12

I LOVE the Counting Crows. Poor Adam. No doubt the album will be boss, though.
could it be says – reply to this

13

first
jo says – reply to this

14

i luv u perez… please email me… idluv to talk
Storey says – reply to this

15

wow he's UGERLY first ?
Mariela says – reply to this

16

hope he gets better. and hopefully he gets much success.
val says – reply to this

17

snd???
e says – reply to this

18

LOVE YOU ADAM!
Cait says – reply to this

19

Spelling error. It's "DISSOCIATIVE"
Kate says – reply to this

20

Poor guy. I know how he feels.
god says – reply to this

21

duh. you're late. read the new rolling stone
uhh says – reply to this

22

umm..errr..yeah, he looks like he went crazy
wow says – reply to this

23

shannon rocks
Shireen says – reply to this

24

Adam Duritz and Britney Spears are far from "peers". Adam Duritz is a brilliant and talented musician and songwriter. Britney Spears is anything but.
blah says – reply to this

25

perez is HOOOTTTT STUUUFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
loooll says – reply to this

26

Re: SHANNON – alright you retard calm down lol
Liar says – reply to this

27

duritz is a freakin' ego maniac liar…this is a cry for attention….fat sideshow bob ass!

www.mutationscomics.com
xuszerep says – reply to this

28

Wow! Kinda shocking. and I can't believe he went out with Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox-Arquette.
dANNY oCENA 13 says – reply to this

29

HEY FATSO, LISTENING TO HOWARD HUH…. GIVE THE BIG NOSE JEW BOY SOME CRDIT WHEN YOU RIP HIM OFF
erin says – reply to this

30

I give him credit for speaking out about what he goes through and trying to help people. You shouldn't call him crazy.
CVD says – reply to this

31

I've never understood the hair. Ya'll know those aren't real right? He has fake dreads.
nat says – reply to this

32

I would just like to say that you coming off as incredibly rude and slightly hypocritical. You claim to support his endeavors of getting better, yet you appear to mock mental disorders with your (a) doodles on his picture as well as your (b) title- crazy is the new black. Mental disorders are no laughing matter- and especially for someone coming out with them. Please stop.
what an idiot says – reply to this

33

IT'S "DISSOCIATIVE DISORDER" NOT "DISASSOCIATIVE DISORDER" YOU EMPTY-BRANIED SCUMBAG, YOU'RE SO STUPID IT HURTS
d says – reply to this

34

1st, you are so hollow you have to mock someones illness. Get help.
2nd, "Crazy Is The New Black" doesn't even make sense.
P-stupid, hang it up!
what an idiot says – reply to this

35

IT'S "DISSOCIATIVE DISORDER" NOT "DISASSOCIATIVE DISORDER" YOU EMPTY-BRAIN SCUMBAG, YOU'RE SO STUPID IT HURTS
fuck it says – reply to this

36

look at his jew fro. it's AMAZING
Tedstar is Beautiful! says – reply to this

37

Everybody has bad times..it takes a brave person to get help though. Sarcastic people and quirky people are pretty funny. Good for Adam!
me says – reply to this

38

Love him! Love Counting Crows!!! All best wishes to him!
Cecily says – reply to this

39

Going public and speaking about your mental illness takes balls. Looks like he`s got `em!
Good for him!
tamara nixon says – reply to this

40

TOUCHE' TOUCHE' YOU ROCK PEREZ
Smokey says – reply to this

41

I go crazy every day, I'm a mom with two little kids. I just don't have a huge bank account, that I can use to find a good doctor or go live in a huge beautiful house in malibu. I just suck it up like the rest of us. Sorry fame must be a bitch.
Cecily says – reply to this

42

#31 - CVD
I think his hair is Crazy and I love it!
Excuse me, but Bitch is still the new Black says – reply to this

43

*Hillary 2008*
erin says – reply to this

44

i love counting crows—and if anybody makes fun of them—i hate you!!

I LOVE ADAM!!

–erin
sackte says – reply to this

45

and the new album rocks!!!!
jacquie says – reply to this

46

Kudos to Adam Duritz for being brave enough to share his illness and recovery with the public. How many would be that unselfish? He will undoubtedly help countless others who suffer the same problem. I salso agree with poster #32 … not the time or the place.
christine says – reply to this

47

he looks like psycho bob from the simpsons. you should put a comparison pic next to him
Claudia says – reply to this

48

Depression is terrible, good luck to Adam to overcome it, and thanks to him for sharing his story - it effects so many people that don't know they need help. Good luck to all who are working through it.
WEtv says – reply to this

49

Okay I know we all have skeletons in the closet but this show is absolutely outrageous. It’s called the Secret Lives of Women and it’s premiering on Tuesday, April 1 at 10/9c on WE tv. It covers everything from fetishes and fantasies to polygamists to the dirty little secrets of suburbia; go inside their very different worlds for a glimpse at what makes these women tick. Here is a link to the homepage http://wetv.com/shows/secretlives/ Happy viewing!
bucket says – reply to this

50

It is a dissociative disorder, not a "disassociative" disorder.
maynardjk says – reply to this

51

Re: WEtv –
No love for the source, Howard Stern show? You are usually giving him the respect but not today?
Corey says – reply to this

52

I thought he was black?????!!!!!!
HEAD_ROYCE_RULES says – reply to this

53

he went to my high school so he's awesome. GO JAYHAWKS!!!!!!!!
babba boey says – reply to this

54

Nice giving Howards show on sirius credit..tsk tsk
countingcrap says – reply to this

55

HE ISNT MENTALLY ILL. I THINK MAYBE HES BEEN DOING TOO MANY DRUGS AND NAILING TOO MANY HOES
MIKEY says – reply to this

56

TRY SHAVING YOUR HEAD AND TATTOOING THE WORDS "GET R DUN" ON YOUR FOREHEAD!

MAYBE THAT WILL WORK FOR YOU…………
fatfuck says – reply to this

57

You're so rude discussing someones personal problems. We all know what a real winner you are so why exactly do you feel you are above us? You're so sick. Such a hypercrite. Such a sad, little fatso.
Timmy says – reply to this

58

Let me guess, and for a while he thought he was gay!!!
upupup says – reply to this

59

Take care, my bru-tha.

Hang in there it gets better!!!
EINSTEIN says – reply to this

60

HE LOOKS VERY HEBREW IN THAT PICTURE
paula says – reply to this

61

at least fucking spell it right, you moron.
Bob says – reply to this

62

No love for the source, Howard Stern show? You are usually giving him the respect but not today?
taryn says – reply to this

63

i just want to credit mr. duritz about speaking about mental disorders. it's not about crazy being the new in…it's about the fact that it's better to discuss these types of things and realise they are as prevalent in society as something like diabetes…that way people that have these disorders to not have to suffer needlessly. they can realise that having a sickness such as this is quite normal…and fighting to get help won't seem so shameful. crazy is a swear word.
James says – reply to this

64

How in the hell can this guy be depressed? He's got money. He's slept with many hot celebrities. I just don't get it.
ashley says – reply to this

65

i think he's part crazy, part genius. especially genius in the lyrical department. that dude can write a song like it's a fucking poem.
nikki says – reply to this

66

ok…come on perez you so i guess you were listening to howard stern this morning too huh?? at least be honest about your source.

bababooey!!!
Shannon 2 says – reply to this

67

i love adam duritz, etc. (see shannon #1). Why has no one commented on the fact that madonna named her new cd the SAME NAME as a counting crows cd–hard candy. madonna is not worthy to be a pimple on adam's butt.
jimmyjazz says – reply to this

68

DON'T MAKE FUN OF HIS DEPRESSION. I'VE HAD THAT TOO. MY SOLUTION WAS TO CUT OUT ALCOHAL AND SUGAR AND HIT THE GYM. I USED TO BE DEPRESSED B/C I WAS CALLED FAG AND MY FATHER DOESN'T LIKE ME.
nikki says – reply to this

69

i saw them in concert. he didn't exactly sing as much as he did blabble..he is nuts. i love him, but he's nuts.
JASON says – reply to this

70

THAT IS ALSO A BIG OLD NEW WIG ON ADAM'S HEAD.. he hasn't had that much hair in YEARS!!! money well spent..
Bri says – reply to this

71

Adam Duritz was one of the first writers I really respected and saw as great talent. It saddens me that someone who has had such an impact on others thought low of himself. He's a wonderful writer and credit him for getting me involved in writing as a career. Oh yeah, and he can actually sing. Woot woot! I can't wait to but their new CD…bout damn time!
Tox says – reply to this

72

*** S I D E S H O W B O B ***
cran-grape says – reply to this

73

I dnt really know who he is but I love P.H. but crazy is the new black is kind of racisit…..
rearviewbeer says – reply to this

74

That is a horrible picture.

I saw him last month at the PX airport and he looks really good right now! Not heavy or made up at all.

Hope he stays well.
Haley says – reply to this

75

I've had sever dissociative symptoms as a result of borderline personality disorder. From what I know you aren't actually crazy you just think you've gone crazy (if you think you're crazy, you're not) which can be terrifying and depressing. You feel detached from the world and sometimes your own body. It makes you feel like the world isn't real.
NeNe says – reply to this

76

You better give credit to The King Of All Media, Mr. Howard Stern, where he publicly admitted this
day says – reply to this

77

ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN! ALL YOU DO IS BAG ON OTHER PEOPLE I MEAN LOOK AT YOU PEREZ; YOU LOOK LIKE A CLOWN!
douches says – reply to this

78

He needs to "open up" about all that makeup he's wearing. What a turd.
fattuesdays says – reply to this

79

"He was diagnosed with a disassociative disorder" in other words I am a puss ball that cant suck it up and deal with being a has been ! Reality will be when you are bankrupt and are forced to create some songs !!! Pooooooor meeeee !!!!!
lindsey's tampon says – reply to this

80

…WHY DONT YOU GIVE CREDIT TO THIS STORY TO WHOM IT BELONGS TO AND THAT ON TRUE KING OF ALL MEDIA HOWARD STERN….DURTZ WAS ON THE SHOW TODAY, AND YOU LIFTED THIS STORY RIGHT FROM THE SHOW…DONT BE LIKE ALL THE OTHERS WHO RIP OFF HIM AND LIFT STORIES WITH NO CREDIT….VERY DISRESPECTFUL..
Lisa says – reply to this

81

side show bob hair.
T says – reply to this

82

ACTUALLY. NOT TRUE. It is featured in an article in the new Rolling Stones magazine. He has been making the rounds on his latest press tour and has been speaking about it publically pretty much everywhere being that its had such a HUGE influence on this album.

Sorry. Just hate to see Howard Stern getting credit for ANYTHING. Gross.
Sherry says – reply to this

83

Boy oh boy, I'm sure glad that I spent all this time getting a Ph.D. in psychology because now my career is trendy. Whoop de doo!
Tabatha says – reply to this

84

I just saw him in concert and he's lost like 70lbs. He's so amazing.
jimmyjazz says – reply to this

85

I WANNA SEE REP SALLY KERN R-OK IN A LEATHER JOCKSTRAP
Lulu says – reply to this

86

Re: SHANNON –

DITTO!
Paula says – reply to this

87

I just love him! There is such beauty in his music.
chickie says – reply to this

88

Well gotta hand it to him, I think admitting you have a mental disorder would be pretty hard…so hard in fact I havent admitted mine yet. HA

Anyway, wish him the best….Im on a nice roll today, must be the coffee. Im loving everyone…well not that fug amy wino. seriously that girl should wear a bag over her head and poke holes for eyes and mouth. she's assaulting my senses with all those ugly drug scabs on her.
figure it out, bitch says – reply to this

89

it's dissociative, not dissAssociative…and it's way more than "distorting reality".
Rooky says – reply to this

90

WHAT THE HELL DOES "CRAZY IS THE NEW BLACK MEAN"????????????? i MIGHT JUST HAVE TO STOP COMING TO THIS SITE I AM REALLY OFFENDED BY THAT STATEMENT!!!!!!
moon says – reply to this

91

Oh so that explains the terrible hair. He's CLEARLY deranged to wear a 'do like that!!!!!
Persian Boy says – reply to this

92

Re: jimmyjazz – Jimmy, you just needed some sweet sweet tender lovin', that's all. A tender word, a tender touch.
howard_fan says – reply to this

93

nice of you, perez, to cite your source. did you not garner these citations for the howard stern show on sirius satellite radio? yes, you did, so why not say so… no one else gets an interview like howard. STERN rules!
eastcoastgossip says – reply to this

94

the album is great.
taylove says – reply to this

95

i saw them at a superbowl event in phoenix
their new albums gonna be awesome.
for real!
you can download 2 songs for free on their website still i think.

yay counting crows!
kel says – reply to this

96

i love him
ginger says – reply to this

97

Perez, its not "dissassociative" disorder….is dissociative disorder.

DUH!
Kerri says – reply to this

98

Anyone notice that he looks like the clown guy off of the sSmpsons? The one that is always trying to kill Bart!! LOL
hot mess says – reply to this

99

go shave your head . your hair is mentally ill
Mandy says – reply to this

100

I totally agree with Shannon!

More comments: [1] 2 »

Beyonce SHINES At Revel! WERKS Single Ladies & Halo! Watch!!

Sparkle it up, gurl!! Let us see that seXXy shine!!

Still thrilled from Beyonce's intimate behind-the-scenes video, we're ready to DANCE after watching this Single Ladies performance!!

The crowd was WILD for Bey when she made her first stage debut since giving birth to beautiful Blue Ivy. And from the looks of this performance, she gave 'em their money's worth and then some!

But don't even get us started on Halo (below)! She even tributes Whitney Houston with

Advertising info