Lena Dunham’s Memoir ‘Famesick’ Details Career, Health, and Relationships

Lena Dunham’s memoir, Famesick, was published on April 14. The book details her experiences creating and starring in the HBO series Girls, her medical diagnoses, and various personal and professional relationships. Accounts from the book were reported by The Hollywood Reporter, which obtained a copy prior to release. Adam Driver, Scott Rudin, and Jenni Konner have not publicly commented on the memoir's content.

Professional Experiences on ‘Girls’

On-Set Interactions with Adam Driver

Dunham writes about working with actor Adam Driver on Girls.

She describes an incident where Driver threw a chair at a wall during a rehearsal and another where planned blocking was altered during a sex scene.

Dunham states she did not feel violated but questioned her directorial authority. She notes they were close during the first season but grew apart afterward, and they had not spoken for three years prior to his final day of filming.

Conflict with Producer Scott Rudin

Dunham recounts leaving a project with producer Scott Rudin to focus on Girls.

She states this prompted a series of emails from Rudin, who she says called her a "spoiled little girl" and threatened legal action.

Following this exchange, Dunham states she perforated her eardrum with a Q-tip during what she describes as a dissociative episode. This incident was later incorporated into the plot of Girls.

Dissolution of Partnership with Jenni Konner

Dunham details her professional and personal relationship with Jenni Konner, who served as a showrunner on Girls. She cites several points where their relationship changed, including Konner suggesting she gain weight for the show and questioning her during medical procedures.

Dunham also points to a joint statement defending a Girls writer accused of rape as a regretted action.

She writes that a final therapy session ended with Konner leaving and asking her not to write about their relationship immediately.

Personal Relationships

Relationship with Jack Antonoff

Dunham details the end of her five-year relationship with musician Jack Antonoff. She cites his frequent touring schedule and her medical issues as strains on the relationship, and recalls an instance where he arrived late to the hospital after a surgery.

Dunham states they entered couples therapy before eventually separating.

Subsequent Engagement

Following her hysterectomy and before her official separation from Antonoff, Dunham writes that she reconnected with a childhood boyfriend named Nick. She states they became engaged three months later, but the relationship ended after she learned he also struggled with substance abuse.

Health and Treatment

Medical Diagnoses and Surgeries

Dunham writes about being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and endometriosis.

These conditions required multiple surgeries, including a hysterectomy, and daily pain management.

Substance Use and Rehabilitation

Dunham states she developed an addiction to the anxiety medication Klonopin.

She entered the Center for Motivation and Change rehabilitation facility for substance use treatment.