Concern is mounting among fans of psychologist Jordan Peterson after his daughter shared a cryptic Father’s Day message, alongside a downbeat update on his private health struggles.
Peterson, 64, rose to global prominence as a bestselling author, public speaker and clinical psychologist, becoming especially well known for his influence within the “manosphere” and his often polarizing views on gender, politics and society.
The author, whose net worth has been reported at more than $100 million, reportedly began facing serious medical problems late last year and was admitted to intensive care.
His attempts to address those health issues have included several controversial approaches, among them a strict red meat-only diet and a “rapid detox” carried out through a medically induced coma.
According to his daughter, Peterson has been dealing with akathisia, a condition associated with extreme restlessness, difficulty remaining still and an overwhelming sense of fear or inner distress.
People who have experienced the debilitating disorder have described it as among the most terrifying forms of suffering imaginable, with some cases reportedly linked to suicidal thoughts or actions.
Nearly a year on, however, signs of improvement appear limited, with a Father’s Day post from his 34-year-old daughter, Mikhaila, prompting renewed worry rather than reassurance.
A photo of the pair from years ago was shared on X by Peterson’s daughter, accompanied by the words: ‘Happy Father’s Day. Miss you.’
Jordan Peterson, 64, became a major figure among young men as a bestselling author, speaker and clinical psychologist, but concerns remain as his health battle appears to continue following a somber update
Peterson’s daughter, 34-year-old Mikhaila, shared a cryptic post on Father’s Day that left fans and followers confused and wondering if the influencer had passed from his health battle
The message left fans and Mikhaila’s followers confused, with many questioning if the author was still alive.
One user commented: ‘Miss you? Is he still alive?’
‘Is he dead,’ another wrote.
‘Wait where is he?’ a third comment read.
The post also received backlash, including one user who said: ‘This is the most blatant engagement post, that’s so sad that you are using your dad for that smh.’
‘Miss you? Kinda weird to write when he’s been battling for his life… Would be disgusting to use your father’s illness for engagement,’ another wrote.
However, plenty of users showed their support for Peterson and his daughter, wishing the author a speedy recovery.
‘Love this picture. Thank you for sharing. I hope your Dad returns to full health soon. The world needs him,’ one said.
A second read: ‘Get well soon, Jordan, we need you!’
‘We miss you Jordan. Get well soon,’ another user shared.
‘Happy Father’s Day to a man who has been a father figure for many. Wishing you all the best, Sir. Mikhaila, keeping you and the family in our prayers,’ a fourth wrote.
The Father’s Day message was soon followed by Peterson’s own announcement on Instagram that gave little hope for the influencer’s recovery.
‘Hi everybody. I’m pleased to let you know that we’re going to release a lecture a week from my extensive tour archive, beginning this Sunday and then repeating every Sunday after that,’ Peterson wrote on Sunday.
‘This allows me to do something interesting and useful while I’m otherwise incapacitated. My health is such at the moment that I can’t really return to podcasting or public lecturing.’
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Peterson went on to say that the recordings were created ‘with the express intention of preparing them for release, and we’ve determined that this is a very good time to do that.’
‘So that’s what’s going to happen.’
Peterson also announced that he would be released recorded lectures reminiscent of his early work on YouTube whilst he is ‘incapacitated’ by his ongoing medical woes
He went on to add his hopes that the recordings would be ‘useful and compelling,’ particularly for fans of his early work on YouTube ‘that was very lecture focused.’
‘It’s a return to my roots, I suppose, in some ways. And I’m as happy as I can be under the current circumstances, given my ill health, to be participating in this process and to have these lectures prepared for release. Thanks a lot for your continued attention and support,’ he concluded.
Peterson recently celebrated his 64th birthday on June 12, as his daughter posted a photo of the pair from the year before and wished her father a happy birthday.
The celebratory post, however, also came with a sad sentiment as she revealed that both she and her mother skipped their birthdays.
‘This isn’t the year for parties unfortunately but maybe next year,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Mikhaila, who appears to be managing her father’s affairs in his absence, said she believed his condition was triggered by anti-anxiety medication that he was prescribed following his wife’s cancer diagnosis in 2020.
His daughter – who has been criticized for embracing unproven medical theories – additionally claimed that her father was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition triggered by exposure to toxic mold.
Known as CIRS, it is hard to diagnose and not widely accepted in mainstream medicine.
Mikhaila, who appears to be managing her father’s affairs in his absence, said she believed his condition was triggered by anti-anxiety medication that he was prescribed following his wife’s cancer diagnosis in 2020
She says too that complications from fighting life-threatening pneumonia and sepsis simultaneously landed Peterson in intensive care last summer.
Her father was, she said, ‘near death.’
Friends and family describe Peterson’s daily life as a grinding struggle.
The condition is, as Peterson’s daughter Mikhaila describes it, ‘the worst thing I’ve ever seen anyone go through’ and has got worse over the last few months.
Peterson has long struggled with bouts of depression but his serious health issues began at the height of his fame in 2019, when his wife Tammy, now 60, was diagnosed with kidney cancer and he began increasing his anti-anxiety medication to cope.
Peterson himself described his condition at the time as ‘dire’ and confessed he had been left ‘hoping that I would die.’
Most doctors say akathisia can be treated by slowly weaning patients off their medication.
Peterson and his daughter in Russia where he had a radical detox to treat his akathisia in 2020
But Peterson pursued bizarre medical treatments. Against his doctor’s advice, Peterson flew to Moscow in January 2020 to be placed in a medically induced coma for more than a week to force a ‘rapid detox.’
He had also adopted his daughter Mikhaila’s radical red meat-only diet, which medical professionals warn against.
After a brief moment of improvement, October 2025 brought another blow to his recovery as he was rushed to hospital and his tour across North America and Europe was scrapped.
Fans continue to anxiously wait for Peterson’s return to good health, and pour in messages of support, hope and love in the meantime.
