On Sunday, General Hospital stars Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) and Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase) sat down to chat on State of Mind, where Benard revealed he has a nickname for his anxiety: “Freddy Krueger.” By Tuesday, however, he reconsidered that label — all while Buddy the goat hilariously photobombed his thoughtful message. Read on for the details.
A Serious Conversation About Anxiety
ABC soap fans are well aware that both Maurice Benard and his on-screen alter ego, Sonny Corinthos, struggle with mental health challenges. Benard frequently opens up about his experiences on his podcast and across social media. This week on Instagram, though, he found it difficult to keep things entirely serious.
Maurice stepped outside to share with fans that he had experienced an anxiety attack “last night.” Rather than trying to run from it, he explained that he chose to “stay in the moment” and face it head-on.
Don’t Turn Anxiety Into a “Monster”
Benard then reflected on why labeling anxiety as a monster may not be helpful. Quoting advice from his wife, Paula, he shared: “Stop giving it power. It’s not a monster. The monster is in your thoughts.”
However, while Maurice was explaining that managing anxiety is something mental health sufferers must face — simply because life keeps moving — his granddaughter TT and his goat Buddy unexpectedly stole the moment.
TT & Buddy Bring the Smiles
It’s hard to stay serious when a sweet granddaughter is laughing, giggling, and wrapping him in hugs. Add Buddy the goat into the mix, and there’s really no choice but to laugh the anxiety right out of the moment.
Animals and grandchildren seem to have a way of pushing anxiety aside, and the warm interaction completely transformed what had been a rather somber-looking Maurice Benard.
‘GH’ Fans React
Unsurprisingly, fans quickly filled the comments section with support. One follower reminded him just how supportive his wife Paula is — something General Hospital viewers already know — along with his son, Joshua Benard. Many agreed that if everyone had a Buddy and a TT in their lives, the world might feel a little lighter. Sadly, not everyone is so lucky, though they are fortunate to find comfort through the GH star himself.
One fan shared a particularly emotional message:
“My loneliness is what creates the monster anxiety. No family here and no friends. Not sleeping properly. Missing my late husband. Heavy load, Maurice…”
In response, Maurice replied with two red hearts and a praying hands emoji. While it’s impossible to know whether that lifted the fan’s spirits, the gesture showed that even a small moment of kindness can remind someone they’re not truly alone.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to check back often for all the latest General Hospital cast news and updates.
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