Several weeks ago TLC reported about a lengthy interview J.K. Rowling that appeared in the Edinburgh Student newspaper. In that interview, Jo spoke openly again about her struggles with depression while a single mother and the difficult period in her life before the publication of the Harry Potter novels. The author of the Edinburgh Student interview now has apparently released audio of the interview to main stream media, which are reporting that this audio contains the Harry Potter author saying she had “suicidal thoughts” during this period in her life, before seeking Cognitive Behavioural therapy to help her overcome her depression. While these comments are not in the original published interview (scans here, pdf here), you can read more on these comments via links to The Times and USA today.
Well, she demonstrated that the depression can be surpassed
Posted by Alejandro Martinez on March 24, 2008, 01:42 AM
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Some of the best artists have been depressed throughout the centuries. It doesn’t change my opinion of her; I’m glad she got help. She is a wonderful woman who has influenced so many people. And she has publicly stated that she knows that now, even if the magnitude of her fame is still overwhelming. :)
I absolutly love Jo…she’s my hero!!! She definatly did not have a happy life before Harry Potter came along but she got through it and became a billion air. She’s an inspiration to everyone suffering from depression.
I’m really, really glad she has a better life now. And I don’t mean just her money – even if they take away all the economic troubles – but also that she has a family that loves her, she’s realized her life’s dream to be a writer, and the joy she must feel knowing how many millions of people who enjoy her books, and how she’s helped many, many people to enjoy reading books!
You know, there’s a saying that goes – “If you’ve planted a tree, you haven’t lived in vain.” Jo has planted the seed of joy by reading to so many others and will continue to do so for generations to come. This is perhaps her greatest accomplishment to mankind. We are forever grateful.
And yes, she’s an inspiration for all of us that suffers from depression.
Depression is an illness and I’m thankful Jo recognized this and sought help. I wish my sister had because she would be here with us if she did. I’m so glad Jo has spoken out and perhaps saved many lives by her brave example.
Damn those dementors! JK did say she thought of dementors representing the despair and unhappiness. I wonder what her patronus would have been then? Stephen Fry also suffered something similar and literally was suicidal. Many years ago he was supposed to be staring in a new stage play but did not turn up and actually vanished for a week causing a nationwide scare in the media. He had sudden attack of depression and left the country but returned a week later when he discovered how worried everyone was for him. He apologised sincerely but talks very openly about it since and made a superb documentary highlighting how serious manic depression can be and the optimism of how it can b conquored. JK and Fry are good friends and I wonder if they ever talk to each other about what they had suffered from the past. I think JK actually contributed to that documentary, cant quite remember now.
Please leave her alone. Who hasn’t thought of suicide in tough times. People make her tough times to be a big deal just because she is famous. Money or not, depression effects us all.
Depression is a constant uphill battle at times. I admire Jo even more because she had the strength and courage to recognize it and seek help despite all the stigma behind the illness (and yes, it is an illness). I suffered from depression nearly all my life and it wasn’t until a friend took me aside and explained that I wasn’t at fault for how I felt, that I sought help for it. Medications only go so far, but getting professional help and talking about it, can help too. I just wish someone would have seen it when I was a teenager and realized what was going on. I wouldn’t have suffered so long.
i’m so very glad she found help for her illness, and has overcome it,or has it under control.and really appreciate the fact she talks about it to give others hope. more important than becoming a billionair , is ,she now has a wonderful family.
love you Jo,at lot of people do .
jo is amazing. she is such a good role model to any women or any one for that matter. it is so great that she can speak openly about all of the troubles of her past. it makes her that much more awesome!!! we all love you Jo!
Who gives a rat’s patootie The fact that it’s not in her writing as much as others….
Henry Miller, Hemmingway, Dickens, even Shakespeare…and the worse of all..’Father Time’ and sibs in Hardy’s, “Jude the Obscure”..even contemporary counterparts have been there….Stephen King, one among others…
"...you are neither special nor important, and it is not up to you to find out what the Dark Lord is saying to his Death Eaters."[br]"No -- that's your job, isn't it?" Harry shot at him.
ACK!!!!!!!