Mental illness and working in theatre — Page 2

inmyownlittlecorner said: "cbj97 said: "inmyownlittlecorner said: "As soon as I saw the title, my heart stopped because of the last time we talked about mental health here, ha.

I can’t think of a show that I’ve been in where there hasn’t been someone who suffers from some mental health issue. And that’s excluding myself! There’s just so much of a stigma around being mentally ill, especially with anxiety disorders, that people don’t talk about it.

I suffer from some pretty debilitating social anxiety except for when I’m onstage. There, while I have anxiety, something there stops me from a panic attack (my therapist and I haven’t figured out what it is yet).

But so many people don’t understand mental illness think you can’t be onstage and have anxiety because, hey, they conflict! I think that’s where the stigma comes from, is thinking that you can’t complete the job with these mental health struggles.

Another actor that I can think of that’s been open about their struggles with mental health is Eva Noblezada. Her Twitter is full of discussion about creating a mentally healthyenvironment. She’s been pretty open about her struggles with her body, and bouts of depression"

I'm exactly the same way- I have terrible social anxiety, but I'm fine being on stage! The problems come more with rehearsing and discussing my ideas about a character/show with other people- but when I'm actually being the character I'm fine!

Also want to add Tee Boyich (from Mean Girls) as an example of someone who is very open about her mental health (anxiety and depression specifically) on social media.

"

Goodness, how could I have forgotten Tee, I was just looking at her Instagram a moment ago! She’s absolutely incredible, I don’t know how she’s done half the things she has. She came to my city to perform for our season reveal, an absolute gem. Wish I could have met her that night but she probably booked it after she was done, there were a lot of people on that stage that night.

I feel like Andrew Barth Feldman has mention his mental health here or there but I might be mixing him up with another Evan. There are too many Evans, I swear to god"

 

Ben Platt 'I am queer, Jewish and socially anxious'

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/ben-platt-new-album-interview-2019

---

It's saddening and comforting to know others feel the same. I too struggle horribly with depression and anxiety. I've tried therapy and medication. Medication I felt made me robotic, almost emotionless, and the side effects were awful. Also, the problem was and still is very much present. Some days it is very hard to find any kind of relief. And there really is a stigma. I'm always worried about people looking at me like I'm odd or crazy because I'm sad most of the time. 

Broadway/musical theater is a very helpful outlet, but for me on the opposite end as a patron. I've gone into the city alone for long weekend to stay in a hotel and just watch a bunch of Broadway shows.

ArtMan said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "6853, I’ve been on Prozac on and off (mostly on) for about 24 years. It has probably saved my life at least once."

Does it help your OCD? I find the older I get, the worst my OCD has become."

Yes and no. Most of my OCD is internal (obsessive, repetitive worries...basically anxiety), and Prozac helps with that. But for my main external OCD involving personal cleanliness and absolutely loathing public bathrooms...it’s actually worse than ever.

However, my biggest issue is depression. I still get depressed a lot, but Prozac has made me a “functioning depressive.” Without Prozac I have seriously contemplated suicide. With Prozac, I still have those thoughts, but I know that I know I would never act on them.

I also take Clonopin to help me sleep (the obsessive worrying can make it difficult for me to fall asleep and/or stay asleep), as well as when I feel an anxiety attack coming on. I will sometimes take it before going onstage, especially early in the run if I am not yet confident in my performance, I know there are critics and other VIP’s in the house, etc. I almost always take it before auditions.

I’m just glad that there are people out there doing actual research to help performers who have issues like anxiety (like me). Pretty great backstage article to check out:

1 Psychology Professional on How to Stop Letting Anxiety Ruin Your Auditions
 

Mental health issues impact everyone. The theatre is not the only place where the mental health issues of employees are disregarded in favor of producing a product. This is a universal problem. Regardless of the workplace there are little to no resources for someone to put a full stop to their responsibilities in order to heal. Typically you are forced to quit and lose your benefits if you want some relief or a reprieve. It’s tragic.

With so many people suffering with these concerns it continues to amaze me the lack of compassion and resources in the workplace. Everyone has been touched by depression and anxiety. As others have said, they are a common medical concern and should be treated as such. Very commonplace and assessed early and in everyone. Help people get ahead of any breakdowns.

---