Their profession is to make you laugh. From the stage, from the TV screens, comedians seem witty and invulnerable … But in real life, almost more often than we do, they struggle with a bad mood and suffer from longing. Foreign artists of the “fun genre” talked about how they cope with depression.
It happens to them too
It turns out that spotlights and audience love are not always warm. People who cheer up others often walk on the edge of the abyss themselves. On the other hand, perhaps this is what helps them find a common language with the audience.
“There is a myth that all clowns are sad. It is not true. The truth is that a lot of people suffer from depression, but comedians are the ones who use their sad experiences to communicate with the audience. It took me seven years of stand-up before I could talk about my anxiety on stage, and almost nine years before I began to speak openly about my depression, suicidal impulses, about the sense of meaninglessness of those actions that come naturally to most people.
Depression is not the tragic superpower that makes you a talented comedian
I spoke out, and it helped me for a while: the audience laughed, showing that I was not alone and that they were glad that they were not alone either – but this was not enough. As a result, my depression attacked me with renewed vigor, and I again turned to a specialist. You don’t have to be unhappy to be funny. Depression is not a tragic superpower that makes you a talented comedian.”
Chris Distefano, actor of comedy series Guy Code and Girl Code
“There is an opinion that people who know how to laugh usually hide great pain in their souls. As a comedian, I can’t help but agree. As a child, I always knew that I was “weird” because instead of expressing my emotions in the “normal” way, that is, through tears or outburst of anger, I hid them deep inside and laughed in everyone’s face.
As I grew up, these repressed emotions came to the surface and I often experienced deep depression.”
How do they deal with it
“I have been suffering from depression since I was 14. Particularly difficult periods fell on adolescence and twenties. Years of particular vulnerability, even for those “hard nuts” who consider themselves strong.
Depression doesn’t care if you’re strong or weak. Depression is a serious illness that can happen to anyone.
The thing is, depression doesn’t matter if you’re strong or weak. Depression is a serious illness that can happen to anyone.
I was very lucky that friends told my parents about what was happening to me when I was in college. As a result, we struggled with this problem as a family. I have been on medication and seeing a therapist for years, and it has all helped tremendously.
I wrote the book “Agorafabulous” about my experience.1, and it was difficult because I had to remember all the difficult moments that I wanted to forget. For people suffering from depression, it is important to share their experiences, because this is how we can help each other.”
Chris Distefano
“Standup helped me deal with the pain. Of course, the easiest way was to drink or use drugs to get through the breakup of my parents or the events of September 11, 2001, which caused me panic attacks, but I decided to joke about these things. I tried to turn my pain into art.
Comedians go to the darkest basements in search of the funniest jokes.
Few people know that comedians go to the darkest basements in search of the funniest jokes. I can’t tell you how many times I came up with jokes when my heart was torn to pieces. As I delved into my past in search of the funny, I discovered pain. Now I see that the pain has shaped me. For better or worse.
Most of us didn’t want to be comedians. We had to become them.
You who are suffering from depression – do not be afraid to seek help! Feel free to cry. Crying, I experience the greatest catharsis. Don’t run from the pain, feel it. Just make sure there are people around who can help you. People who have been to the most dangerous depths and survived. You don’t have to fight this alone. Rely on us.”
Jamie Kilstein, stand-up comedian, founder of Citizen Radio
“Depression is like a ninja. A very mean nefarious ninja. Even when it seems that you or your friends are doing well and you are laughing merrily, this can be a mask. This does not mean that every time you need to tug at your friend: “Are you sure everything is all right?” You just need to be more attentive to those around you.
That you feel this way tells you that you are special, different
We need weirdos, artists, weird kids. There are so few of us. We cannot lose any of these unique instances. I know that you feel bad. But the fact that you feel this way suggests that you are special, different.
If people don’t understand you, great. Who wants to be like everyone else? Surround yourself with good people. If it doesn’t work out in real life, find them on Tumblr, on Twitter, contact podcast writers, comedians. Don’t be afraid of anything. Appreciate every little thing you get out of lifegive joy to others. Try to make our planet a little less dull.”
Andrew Schultz, comedian on Guy Code and Brilliant Idiots
“The best defense against depression is an attack. What do I do:
1. I communicate with strangers. Especially helps to laugh in the company of strangers. In the cafe. In gym. Two minutes of contact with a new person can change everything.
2. Doing sports. When you’re depressed, it’s hard to find the motivation to do so. However, if you challenge your body (cardio, boxing is the way to go), you experience an amazing release. When I feel bad, I can train at least three times a week.
3. I smile. I literally put a smile on my face.
4. I make to-do lists. The feeling that you have achieved some kind of result inspires. It’s important to be productive.
5. I talk about my feelings. If I can’t speak, I write about them. I write exactly what I feel, and I have a dialogue with myself while writing.
Nat Tousen
“Depression is a diagnosis, accept it. The diagnosis itself does not create depression out of nothing, does not worsen your condition, does not make you weaker.
Depression does not mean that you are somehow different, that you have a flaw. This is just one of the problems we as humans face and it becomes more serious if we try to ignore it.
Until now, people are reluctant to turn to specialists. But therapy is very good for mental health, even if you don’t suffer from depression. A psychotherapist is not a doctor who passes judgment. This is a person who will help put your thoughts in order and let you know that you are not alone in your trouble, even if you feel isolated.
1 S. Benincasa «Agorafabulous!: Dispatches from My Bedroom» (William Morrow Paperbacks, 2013).