According to my parents, I indulged in the beauty of classical music before I even entered the world. After all, both of them were part of a famous orchestra in New York. When my mom got pregnant, she still insisted on joining the team. Since it was not a taxing job, my mother joined every concert they held as a classical pianist until her ninth month, when she could no longer walk up to the stage and see the keys due to her belly. When I was born, I would always say asleep whenever my father played nursery rhymes on the violin.
Because of my musical upbringing, everyone expected me to follow in my parent’s footsteps and not be like other kids my age who were into rock or, worse, pop music. Although I knew that saying this might upset many readers, I had to tell honestly for context that they despised the latter with passion. My father did not think it should be considered music at all, especially when she heard some pop singers (I refuse to mention names!) who practically ate their words, so nothing but air and oohs and aahs came out.
I shared my parents’ views about pop music throughout my childhood. I would scrunch up my nose whenever I heard songs like that at the mall and would ask Mom and Dad to take me home and play some Mozart or Debussy for me. My snobbish attitude towards music caused me not to have many friends back then, too, but I did not care about that. All I think about is the importance of classical music in my personal life because that’s part of our family’s legacy.
A Shift In Perspective
My views only got rocked when I was flipping through channels one weekend, and I caught a few bars of a song playing on the Disney channel. It went like this: “This is real; this is me. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” I was aware that it was a pop song, but the lyrics were so relatable that I had to defy my own rules and flip channels backward to find Disney and hear the rest of the song.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love classical music, and the perfection of every melody and classical instrument are still the ones I would choose over some pop songs. But there is something in this type of music that made me want to engage and listen to them. It was then that I realized it was all about the lyrics of the song that impacted me. It was the whole point of delivering and conveying a message through the form of music. I was hooked, honestly, because that was the time music for me began to have its clear meaning.
In truth, the male part of that song was almost unbearable for my ears, but I sat through the number because the girl – Demi Lovato, as I read in the end credits – puts so much emotion in the song. I searched about her that day and found out that she was a new artist who wrote most – if not all – her songs. There was still no Spotify or iTunes or any music-sharing platform back then, so I had to ask my friend if her mother could buy Demi’s album (Don’t Forget) for me. Then, once I got it, I would play it in secret in my room.
Since I was only 13 years old then, I hardly connected with many of Demi’s songs about love or a broken heart. Despite that, her tunes were catchy, and her voice was captivating. It was not like the airy sounds that pop stars in the early 2000s (and now past 2016) used to produce. When Demi came out with songs like Catch Me, Gift of a Friend, and Every Time You Lie in her Here, We Go Again album; I was completely sold. I came clean with my parents about my secret love for her music.
I thought it was about time for me to tell them that a new love for pop music was starting to get into me. I explained to them that it is not at all near the classical music that they both loved, but these pop songs have so much meaning to them. The songs are not only a combination of tunes and music rhythm but rather a song that reflects different types of emotions.
In all fairness to my parents, they tolerated it, especially whenever they would catch me humming it in the car. I continued to follow Demi’s career and felt that her lyrics showed more of her mental health issues, specifically depression, as the years passed. Then, she released a Sober song, which was ironically about her no longer being sober, and realized what depression could do even to famous people like my idol.
Understanding Depression
Hearing all songs of Demi is somehow like looking into a mirror of a person that wants to be saved. Her choice of words in her songs makes me feel sorry for her. I didn’t know how to express it, but I somehow felt like her life is too much to handle. Knowing that she’s a star, I thought it would be impossible for her to struggle with depression and stay bothered. But that is where I understand that mental health issues do not consider exemptions.
People worldwide, regardless of whether they are famous or not, will deal with emotional and mental health problems, including depression. Sometimes, whether they like it or not, they would have to face their demons, continue to struggle, and find ways to get better. Some people with depression experience it briefly, while others carry that burden for their entire life.
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, in Demi’s point of view, is cropping because it makes her indulge in negative coping mechanisms.
What Is The Number 1 Cause Of The Mental Illness?
Neurological changes caused by substances, stress, and other factors are the primary reason behind depression. The death of a family member can also be a cause of depression, especially when a close loved one such as a sibling, mother, or father dies unexpectedly.
Are Celebrities More Prone To Cognitive Problems?
Yes, celebrities and famous people are more prone to depression than regular individuals, considering they are always under public scrutiny. Famous people with depression exist, though they tend to mask it well. Celebrities such as Dwayne the Rock Johnson, Katy Perry, Academy Award Winning actress and pop star Lady Gaga, Kristen Bell, First Lady Michelle Obama and more have also shared their stories when they experienced depression. Actors like Jon Hamm have also publicly suffered through depression.
What Gender Has The Highest Rate Of Cognitive Issues?
Females have the highest rate of depression. First-time moms are prone to having postpartum depression after childbirth. Model Chrissy Teigen, wife of John Legend, even told Glamour magazine about her experience with postpartum depression. It is living proof that celebrities are just like everyone else who is prone to experiencing mental illnesses.
What Is The Percent Of Individuals That Has Mental Health Problems?
Approximately 6.7% of U.S. adults suffer from deep depression.
What Age Group Has The Highest Depression Rate?
People between the ages of 18 and 25 record the highest rate of depression.
At What Age Does Anxiety Peak?
Anxiety peaks between the ages of 30 and 44.
What Is The Most Stressful Age?
According to studies, people experience the highest level of stress at 36 years old.
Can Anxiety Shorten Your Life?
Yes, anxiety can undoubtedly shorten your life, given that it can push you to make awful choices that may endanger your well-being. Severe cases can manifest suicidal thoughts, which might also lead to them having a suicide attempt. Each year of September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed as a worldwide commitment to monitoring and preventing suicide around the world.
Does Anxiety Get Worse As You Age?
Age does not guarantee the worsening of a person’s anxiety. Still, older people may experience it more than younger ones.
Do Cognitive Issues Get Worse With Age?
No, mental health problems, such as depression, do not get worse with age. In reality, their symptoms may be more severe in younger individuals. Individuals can have depression even at a young age.
Is Anxiety A Mental Illness?
Yes, anxiety is a mental illness. It is a condition that often takes away people’s ability to think clearly and rationally.
Is Anxiety Considered A Disability?
Yes, anxiety is considered a disability. Anyone who experiences discrimination due to this disorder may report the person to the authorities.
Does Depression Count As A Disability?
Yes, depression as a mental health condition counts as a disability.
Can You Get A Long-Term Disability For Anxiety?
Yes, you can get long-term disability benefits for depression and anxiety. However, insurance companies are the ones to determine the conditions’ severity.
Why Is Anxiety Bad For You?
Anxiety is bad for you because it can raise your blood pressure and cause chest pains or, worse, heart attacks. Anxiety, when severe, can also lead to other series of mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, and many more.
Final Thoughts
Of course, Demi Lovato lost the respect of many fans following her awful life decisions (especially the one involved in a drug overdose). Even my parents asked why I would still play her songs from time to time. I would tell you what I often told my parents: “Demi could have been in a worse shape without music. Because of that, it’s nice to show how much I support her by listening to her incredible songs.”
Moral Lesson: Depression is common even for famous people. Even the happiest celebrities that we see from Getty images or those being interviewed at CBS Sunday morning can possibly be enduring so much pain, a hard-fought battle only they know. Some are only masking a façade of being fine, but in reality, they can be struggling for their whole life. It’s not only Demi who’s battling it as we speak; there are many more like her right now who are battling depression. Organizations like the Born This Way Foundation aim to support people struggling with their mental health. Even characters in pop culture, like Harry Potter, deal with issues that resonate with real-world struggles, including emotional pain and the feeling of not belonging.
The best thing we can do as fellow human beings – and perhaps fans – is to continue believing in them and cheering them on whenever they’re on stage to give them something to look back on during the darkest points of their lives. Just like with other physical illnesses such as stomach cancer, breast cancer, stroke, heart disease, and more, mental health, such as depression, is as important to be treated. If you’re someone who is dealing with mental health problems such as chronic depression, substance abuse, and more, journaling exercises and coping activities may only do much; it is better to consult with a medical professional to assess your situation.
Which Geniuses Suffered From Cognitive Illness?
Many geniuses throughout history have been known to have struggled with mental health conditions. Some of the most notable examples are:
Ludwig van Beethoven – The renowned composer, Beethoven, suffered from anxiety, depression, and hearing loss. Despite these, he composed some of history’s greatest classical music pieces.
Vincent van Gogh – The famous painter known for his pot-impression style struggled with bipolar disorder and depression, which evidently influenced his artwork.
Isaac Newton – This famous mathematician and physicist, known for his scientific works such as universal gravitation and laws of motion, is believed to have suffered from depression and mental instability.
Nikola Tesla- This brilliant inventor and electrical engineer had symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Virginia Woolf – This famous writer and pioneer of modernist Literature had recurring struggles with mental illness, including bipolar disorder and depression. Her experiences showed in her works.
John Nash – The Nobel laureate mathematician battled schizophrenia, which greatly affected his professional and personal life. His interesting life was portrayed in the movie “A Beautiful Mind.”
What Career Has The Most Cognitive Illness?
While mental health issues affect everyone in various professions, certain occupations seem to have been associated with higher rates of mental health challenges. Some of these include healthcare professions (doctors, nurses), emergency workers (firefighters, paramedics), social work, and those that involve high levels of stress, long working hours, and frequent exposure to traumatic situations.
Additionally, creative fields such as writers, artists, and musicians also have higher rates of mental health problems due emotional intensity involved in the creative process and the pressure of their work. Some famous people in the creative field who made their battle against depression public are Jim Carrey, Brooke Shields, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, JK Rowling, etc.
Is Cognitive Health Condition Curable Or Just Treatable?
Generally, depression is considered curable. While some people may experience full remission of the symptoms through different treatment approaches such as therapy, medication, social support, and lifestyle change, it’s important to note that this mental health disorder can become a chronic or recurrent condition for some people. This is why ongoing management, periodic check-ins with mental healthcare providers, and self-care are extremely important to improve quality of life.
What Happens To The Brain During Cognitive Health Condition?
Several changes happen in the human brain during the depression. For one, it causes imbalances in the neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine), which affects energy and mood. Second, it causes reduced brain activity in certain regions like the prefrontal cortex (associated with emotions and decision-making) and hippocampus (emotional regulation and memory).
Moreover, the condition is seen to increase amygdala (emotion-processing) activity, which contributes to negative emotional responses.
In terms of structural changes, mental health conditions can decrease the size and connectivity in certain brain areas, which collectively affects cognition, emotional processing, and mood regulation.
What Is The Lowest Type Of Depression?
In terms of severity, depression ranges from mild to severe, while symptoms can be on a continuum. Some people may experience mild symptoms, which can still affect their daily function and overall well-being.
Others may experience severe symptoms, which significantly disrupt their ability to function and can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is why seeking the help of professionals, regardless of the severity of the symptoms, is crucial.