'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Season 3, Episode 6 'Josh Is Irrelevant' Recap: Addressing Misdiagnosis and Mental Illness Stigma [SPOILERS]

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” is more than a musical-comedy, the show is also helping destigmatize Mental Health. On the sixth episode of Season 4, Rebecca (Rachel Bloom) is in the hospital and all of her friends are there to support her. Paula (Donna Lynne Champlin) is being a little too clingy and protective to the point of kicking a nurse out of Rebecca’s room. Meanwhile, Valencia (Gabrielle Ruiz) and Heather (Vella Lovell) are trying to help out in any way they can. Unlike other episodes of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” it didn’t center around love or Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III). Instead, the episode took the time to present how attempted suicide and a diagnosis affects everyone, especially if you have been misdiagnosed or in denial of your own mental illness.

‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Finally Gives Us The Diagnosis

In the beginning of Season 1, Rebecca was taking meds to keep her anxiety and emotions in check. Rebecca is convinced she was depressed, had anxiety, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). She has been treated over and over again by doctors but never getting any better. But it wasn’t until her suicide attempt that she was informed that it’s been a misdiagnosis all along. This somewhat cheers Rebecca up and hopes that it’s something easily cured. It then cuts to a musical number called “A Diagnosis,” where she sings about how it can help her find out who she is. But when she finds out her diagnosis, she was confused.

Dr. Dan informs Rebecca she fits the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. Looking back at the past few seasons, Rebecca checks all the boxes but refuses to accept her diagnosis. Despite her doctor telling her not to look up what it is, she did, and it makes her feel even worse. She continues to believe she is truly broken. But Paula, her continuous enabler, tells Rebecca to get a second opinion. They go to Rebecca’s old therapist to consult about her new diagnosis. Instead of insisting Rebecca or helping her deny her diagnosis, she gives her a checklist. After hearing the set of symptoms, Rebecca took a step back to realize how each symptom fits.
A misdiagnosis is quite common for mental illness, especially along the lines of BPD. Most doctors diagnose it as bipolar disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or unipolar depression. It’s refreshing to see a TV series address mental health and suicide in this manner while placing in comedy and a catchy musical number to explain BPD and mental illness.

Everyone Reacts Differently

Aside from Rebecca, her friends have been acting quite differently as well. It’s common for loved ones to grieve or feel differently after someone they love attempted suicide. Others try to be protective, pretend everything is normal, or over-do it with the support. Paula, who has always been a mother figure for Rebecca, decides to help her every step of the way. And she means it, including helping her wipe after going to the bathroom. Valencia, on the other hand, took it upon herself to be the voice of Rebecca. She posts inspiring videos about Rebecca’s road to recovery and sings about starting a movement, despite it being her bowel movement. She is trying to spin Rebecca’s narrative into an inspiration with every live video she posts. Meanwhile, Heather tries to keep the situation neutral. She isn’t as maternal as Paula or starting a movement like Valencia. Instead, she tries to be the voice of reason. She tries to keep Valencia in check on her video posts. Heather tells Valencia that her posts are more about herself than it is about Rebecca.

It’s not only Rebecca’s friends who are having a hard time wrapping their heads around the situation. Nathaniel (Scott Michael Foster) is experiencing PTSD when he heard the news of Rebecca’s attempted suicide. He insists that when he was 10-years-old, his mother tried to kill herself. He ended up ruining his parents’ lamb dinner by confronting them about it. His parents deny his accusations. But it’s clear that they are trying to hide a suicide attempt with the flu. Josh, on the other hand, believes Rebecca tried to kill herself because of him. He is so convinced of this idea, he feels guilty and hopes to make amends.

Accepting Rebecca’s Diagnosis

In the end, everyone accepted what happened. When Rebecca went to the bathroom with her earphones on, her friends start to panic. She wasn’t answering their knocks or calls. Valencia panics because she left her nail clippers inside. Paula tries to convince everyone Rebecca will not hurt herself. Then there’s Heather with an ax ready to knock the bathroom door down. Rebecca reassures them she won’t hurt herself but can’t promise she would not. Valencia breaks down into tears. She doesn’t want her friend to attempt suicide ever again. But this is where Rachel Bloom makes Rebecca seem real.

Rebecca tells Valencia she doesn’t want to be in a dark place and would work hard in getting better for herself. Rebecca finally accepts she has BPD and attends group therapy. Nathaniel’s mother finally admits about accidentally overdosing on sleeping pills and reassures him she is no longer in that dark place. In the end, we see Rebecca’s first step in getting better. Because BDP is a complex disorder, it’s something hard to diagnose and overcome. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” was able to give a message about the realities of mental health under an hour. It isn’t an easy fix of romantic entanglements or pills alone. After 3 seasons, Rebecca is finally addressing her issues.
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” continues Dec. 8 with “Getting Over Jeff,” 8/9c on The CW.