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Tag: living with depression

  • Tallulah Willis Discusses Mental Health, Suicidal Thoughts

    Tallulah Willis Discusses Mental Health, Suicidal Thoughts

    The 25-year-old used Instagram to bring attention to smiling depression.

    Demi Moore’s long-awaited autobiography, Inside Out, has been making headlines for her confessions about her past drug abuse, and the mental health issues she dealt with growing up in a dysfunctional family. Now her daughter, Tallulah Willis, is speaking out on Instagram about her own mental health issues as well.

    Back in December 2018, Willis posted a video of herself dancing in a pink bikini, seemingly happy and carefree. Now she writes, “We are not what we show. When I filmed this video I remember everyone telling me over and over how they wished they had my energy, my freeness, a ownership of self.”

    High-Functioning Depression

    Yet nothing could have been further from the truth. “When this video was filmed I was three months into the deepest suicidal hole I had ever been in.”

    Willis’s confession was timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Day, and she continued, “I’m not ready to share my story yet, but I’m with you…Pain is pain. It’s different and enters each of our lives through a myriad of ways, but each electric stab or dull ache is real. The kind of pain that you can’t see, the pain that lives in the space behind your throat. I’m scared of my brain, the capacity for pain it has and will continue to bear. My fight is daily and for the duration of my life and each day I chose to find the glowed moments, a thefted giggle, or true peaceful pause.”

    While Willis said she’s not ready to share her story, she has spoken out about her mental health issues before in the press. In 2015, she spoke about suffering from depression with Teen Vogue, explaining, “I haven’t felt OK with who I am since I was 11 years old.”

    Her Own Worst Critic

    Coming from a famous family, Willis eventually succumbed to the taunting from cyberbullies, and she “became my own worst critic.” Willis eventually developed an eating disorder and her weight plummeted to 95 pounds. Once her depression engulfed her in college, she went into a treatment center. “It’s not night and day,” she explains. “It’s not like now I completely love myself and have no problems. That isn’t how it works. But there are the starting points of that, and that’s really exciting.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Comedians Talk Depression, Anxiety At Just For Laughs Festival

    Comedians Talk Depression, Anxiety At Just For Laughs Festival

    Comedians discussed making people laugh while dealing with depression and anxiety during a panel at the Just for Laughs Festival.

    Stand-up comics tackled serious issues at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada, where a panel discussed mental health and addiction-related issues among comedy professionals.

    The panel members—which included Byron Bowers (The Chi), Felicity Ward (The Inbetweeners 2), and Keith and Kenny Lucas (Lady Dynamite)—spoke on July 26 about working for laughs while balancing depression and anxiety, as well as the toll that this can take, as evidenced by the deaths of top performers like Robin Williams and Brody Stevens.

    The panel also focused on the support that comics have received from their peers and the industry as a whole, as well as the continued need for comics to speak honestly about their issues.

    The Mask Of Depression

    Whether comedians are, like many creative individuals, more prone to mental health issues remains an ambiguous area of research. Clinical psychologist Deborah Serani, who authored the book Living With Depression, told ABC News that many comedians turn to humor as a “counter phobic” response to their inner turmoil.

    “They often wear what we call ‘the mask of depression,’” she said. “But behind that mask, there is a terrible struggle going on.”

    Whether that condition is fact for comics remains a topic of debate, but for the comics on the Just for Laughs panel, the push and pull of depression and anxiety and laughter can be overwhelming.

    Courtney Gilmour, who won the 2017 Festival’s Homegrown Comics Competition, said that she battled both while also contending with career success. “I felt so guilty,” she said. “Who am I, to get what I’ve wanted my whole life, and I feel sad?”

    For some comics, the stand-up stage allows them a venue to put those feelings into words that can also be beneficial to their careers. “I don’t go to therapy,” said Bowers, who stars in the upcoming film Honey Boy. “I fill a room with people and talk about these things, and sometimes it’s funny and sometimes, it’s fearful.”

    UK comic/actress Felicity Ward also noted that the comedy world can provide a safer haven and greater understanding for those with mental health issues than other social or work situations. “With lots of regular jobs, if you turn up and say, ‘I’m off my meds today,’ they’ll say we don’t want to know or we don’t have a plan for that,” she said. “If you turn up for a gig and you say, ‘I’m off my meds,’ they’re cool, and say you’re on in three minutes.”

    Solomon Georgio, a writer and actor who appeared on HBO’s 2 Dope Queens, described the situation faced by comics with mental health issues as “a mental juggling act,” but added that patience and self-compassion can provide a positive response. “If I drop theball, I don’t say f— anymore,” he said. “You don’t have to take it all on. You can set something down and be okay.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Disturbed’s "A Reason To Fight" Video Puts Spotlight On Depression

    Disturbed’s "A Reason To Fight" Video Puts Spotlight On Depression

    The touching music video features fans of the band sharing their personal experiences with mental health issues and addiction. 

    Heavy metal group Disturbed recently released a music video for their single “A Reason To Fight” which addresses mental health and the stigma surrounding it. 

    According to Blabbermouth, guitarist Dan Donegan told Columbus, Ohio station 99.7 The Blitz that the tragic suicide of Robin Williams was one of the inspirations for the song.

    “I think the first time it really hit me was when Robin Williams died, I used to always get angry and think that [suicide] is very selfish, and I’d get angry and think, ‘How could somebody do this?’ Then you look at somebody like Williams, and you’re, like, ‘This guys makes everybody in the world laugh. Everybody loves him. He has family, money, success.’ Then it dawned on me that this is a disease.”

    Donegan talked to Disturbed’s lead singer David Draiman about what kinds of subjects they wanted to cover in their Evolution album. “I suggested to David, ‘I’d really like to try and find a song that can touch on depression and addiction because we’ve all had either family, friends, or people close to us that have had their struggles, or continue to struggle.”

    Stigma was another major issue that Donegan wanted to tackle with the song.

    “I thought it was important for us to try to address the issue to let people know that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s nothing to be embarrassed by. It’s a disease, and you’re not alone,” he said. “We’re not trying to claim that we’re saving the world—we’re just trying to shed light on a dark subject, and trying to encourage people that when you see the signs, jump in and do what you can to try to offer a hand.”

    In the video for “A Reason to Fight,” a number of people speak out about their struggles with depression, and Draiman tells a sold-out arena, “We keep losing soldiers in this war, and I’m tired of losing so many people that are so talented, so many people that I care so deeply about to the demons of addiction and depression.”

    The arena lights go up, and Draiman tells the audience, “To prove to you that this is not an affliction that is exclusive to the world of entertainment, by a show of hands, how many of you have dealt with the demons of depression yourselves, or know someone who has?” As countless people raise their hands, along with the members of Disturbed, Draiman says, “You are not alone. We’re in this together my brothers, my sisters, my blood.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Surfer Sunny Garcia Hospitalized Amid Depression Battle

    Surfer Sunny Garcia Hospitalized Amid Depression Battle

    Garcia has been very open about living with depression on social media.

    If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

    Professional surfer Sunny Garcia, who has been open about his battle with depression, has been hospitalized following a suicide attempt. 

    “With heavy hearts we confirm that Sunny Garcia is in the ICU in the hospital,” the World Surf League confirmed on Twitter on Monday. “Sunny has always been a great champion of surfing, both in and out of the water. Our prayers are with him and his loved ones at this deeply challenging time.”

    Garcia—whose real name is Vincent Sennen Garcia—posted a picture of himself as a teenager on Sunday, prior to his hospitalization. 

    “If I told this kid the things he would go through and things he would achieve he would tell me I’m crazy,” Garcia, 49, wrote. “Wow it’s been a crazy ride since this photo was taken.”

    On March 20, Garcia opened up about his depression on Instagram, something he had done in the past as well. 

    “Doesn’t matter what kind of mental illness you suffer from, we all suffer in silence and deal with it best we can and most people that don’t suffer can’t understand the pain and frustration that we go through,” he wrote. 

    “I have a incredible life surrounded by people that love and care for me, and I get to travel to beautiful places to surf and meet different people from all over the world but I can tell you when I get down that none of that matters,” he said. 

    Garcia wrote that he “spent the morning curled in my dark closet feeling like I just didn’t want to be here anymore”—but said that he knew that ultimately things would get better and he was determined to speak out.  

    “I just feel like nothing or anyone can help me at the particular time so I just keep sharing my feelings hoping that it helps any of you out there that suffers from anything and encourage you to reach out and talk to others like yourself because this life can really be beautiful. If we all just talk and let it out so others see that it’s ok to share and we are not alone in this suffering.”

    Garcia first posted about his depression in December 2014, when he asked his followers for advice. 

    “Depression is no joke waking up feeling like you’re ready to take on the world then a couple hours later feeling down on life and wondering what’s wrong with you,” he wrote at the time. “Well I know I’m not alone and I’m not sure what’s wrong with me because I have no reason to feel the way I do. It’s been happening for about two years and would love to hear from any of you who suffer these feelings so I can figure out what I should do.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Some Pregnant Women Turn To Substance Use When Depression Is Untreated

    Some Pregnant Women Turn To Substance Use When Depression Is Untreated

    A new study investigated why pregnant women had a lower treatment rate of depression than non-pregnant women. 

    A large percentage of pregnant women who are experiencing symptoms of depression do not get help, and sometimes turn to substance use to self-medicate, risking harms to themselves and their fetus. 

    A study published in Psychiatric Services found that just 49% of pregnant women who had experienced a major depressive episode were treated. This is compared with 57% of non-pregnant women who had a major depressive episode. 

    Researchers were surprised to find that pregnant women had a lower treatment rate, since they are visiting healthcare providers more often than non-pregnant women, and therefore—in theory—should have more access to screening and treatment. 

    “What we would expect is that pregnant women are visiting the ob-gyn more and they should have more opportunities to see a psychologist or psychiatrist,” study author Maria X. Sanmartin told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “But that is not what we found.”

    Instead, researchers saw that all women had low treatment rates, but pregnant women fared especially poorly. 

    “In general, treatment rates are very, very low,” Sanmartin said. 

    The lack of treatment could lead women—including pregnant women—to self-medicate. The study found that in the month before the study, 6% of pregnant women used opioids, 17% used marijuana, and 23% used alcohol. The real rates may be even higher, since pregnant women may underreport their substance use for fear of facing criticism or punishment. 

    For pregnant women who did seek help, medication was the most common form of treatment. While this is a good start, people with depression also need access to talk therapy to see optimal results, Sanmartin said. 

    “The easiest way to cope with these things is to just give medication, but medication alone might not be what would help the patient,” she said. Earlier this year, a government task force recommended that all pregnant women be screened for depression. Although this is a massive initiative, proponents say that the effort is well worth it. 

    “The benefits of increased maternal and infant wellness and decreased stigma to seek mental health assistance would likely lead to less of a toll on our healthcare system than when mental health concerns are unaddressed,” American Counseling Association president Simone Lambert said.  

    Jeff Temple, a University of Texas psychologist in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, told Time that the measure is important, but will require significant mental health resources. 

    “I am very happy to see anything related to prevention, whether it’s mental health generally or perinatal depression specifically. If we can prevent problems from occurring, not only do we do a great service to humans, but [the health care system] saves a great deal of money,” he said. 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Big Sean Gets Candid About Depression, Anxiety

    Big Sean Gets Candid About Depression, Anxiety

    “I wasn’t feeling like myself and I couldn’t figure out why. I just felt lost—and I don’t know how I got there,” the rapper revealed on Instagram.

    Rapper Big Sean is getting candid about mental health—and according to the BBC, it’s inspiring other men of color to do the same.  

    Recently the 31-year-old rapper utilized Instagram videos to discuss a period of his life that he says was difficult because of anxiety and depression. He says around his 30th birthday, he sought therapy for issues needing “special attention.”

    “I wasn’t feeling like myself and I couldn’t figure out why,” he said on Instagram. “I just felt lost—and I don’t know how I got there.”

    The rapper continued, “I got a good therapist. I was blessed enough to talk to some super spiritual people. They made me realize one thing I was missing in my life, and the one thing I was missing was clarity. Clarity about who was around me, what I was doing.”

    Sean also mentioned that since the age of 17, he has leaned on meditation to manage depression and anxiety, but this time around he needed more. Sean says that seeking therapy brought him “clarity,” especially in relationships.

    “I had a lot of toxic relationships around me,” he said in the videos. “Even the relationship with my mum was getting to a point where we weren’t talking like that. It was just weird because it had never been like that with me and her.”

    Sean also touched on how his mental health affected his career, stating that he lost the enjoyment he initially had in music. 

    “I realized that it all started with me,” he said. “I couldn’t point the finger at anyone else, I had to point it at myself, nurture those relationships that were important to me but most importantly nurture the relationship with myself.”

    Sean’s openness about mental health has had a positive impact on other men of color, including Ben Hurst, who works to promote gender equality in young men and boys. 

    “I’m in awe that he’s having that conversation,” Hurst told the BBC. “It just makes it OK. I started therapy recently and I remember when I started, I didn’t tell my family, there was a big reluctance inside of me to tell my friends and to have that conversation.”

    Hurst tells the BBC that when he was younger, it was ingrained in him to not discuss his feelings. 

    “Particularly in POC (people of color) communities, there’s a big pushback on talking about emotion, especially for men,” Hurst added. “It’s almost like when you’re young, you’re taught to not air business out in public, to not talk about stuff outside of the house.”

    Alex Leon, a charity worker, tells the BBC that openness from public figures such as Sean makes a difference when it comes to the dialogue around mental health. 

    “Sometimes we see statements where artists, musicians or activists talk about ‘difficult periods’ but they rarely give the name and say they were suffering from anxiety or depression—or, more importantly, say they saw a therapist,” said Leon. 

    “What Big Sean has done is a good step in the right direction for us to be able to tell men of color in the media that they should be speaking more openly because we need that representation,” he added.

    View the original article at thefix.com