How Did Deadmau5 Deal With Depression? (+5 Intriguing FAQs)

This article will discuss how the DJ Deadmau5 has come forward in saying he struggles with depression. It will show how it affected him, his behaviors, and what ways he has found to deal with it.

Deadmau5 talks depression

Deadmau5, the DJ, has come clear about his emotional condition a few times, in the end of 2011, he said on his Facebook profile how he had been struggling the whole year with depression and anxiety. He posted:

“I’ve been dealing with severe depression and anxiety all year. Taking a long time off after my birthday to hopefully get it sorted out before I say or do anything more stupid than I already have.”

A few years later, in 2015, he came forward again, disclosing his mental health in his Tumblr profile. He said:

“like many other human beings, I’ve been dealing with some depression issues that I don’t need to go into detail with. I consider myself far from emotionally stable, though, not unstable enough to know support when I see it. Deactivating social

media for a minute has nothing at all to do with popstars or dubstep tryhards. It was a kneejerk reaction to something i saw coming a long time ago. Also, nobodies business but my own.

id like to apologize to my fans and supporters for fucking off so abruptly, and leaving them out of the loop in terms of developments in my career and some small glimpes into my personal life…. ill resume that program for you. It’s the holidays, so

ill slow things down until the new year, and chill out with friends and loved ones on vacation till the 17th or so. Then it’s back into the new studio, where ill just keep being me, and making music.

Once again, sorry for being a dick to those who are fans and supporters.”

This happened in 2015 after the DJ had shut off his Twitter and Facebook accounts. Which he had done previously when he shared his opinions on matters and received too much criticism on it. But this time it seemed to be mostly related to his condition. 

Deadmau5 has been known for openly expressing negative opinions on many matters, including some very honest remarks on many musicians. He has made negative remarks on Madonna, The Arcade Fire, and even other DJs such as Krewella, and Tiesto.

As he came forward about depression, some people began to question if he was dealing with the condition, or if it was a way to explain his hectic behavior. And even though it is impossible to make this judgment, what seems to be known is that musicians can often go through depression.

An article published by The Guardian, in June 2015, showed that 60% of the musicians that were questioned had experienced depression at some point in their lives. And from those, 71% said that it was their perception that touring was related to it.

Showing how the lack of routine, healthy habits, and structure can be detrimental to the musician’s mental health. And even though people may judge Deadmau5 for the way he has expressed himself, which can be related to depression, it is important to ask ourselves why do musicians need to disclose their personal life and opinions to their audience?

In both of his statements, he shared that he needed to take some time away to focus on himself. And it got to a point that in the 2015 statement he feels the need to apologize to his supporters because he won’t be sharing too much of his life with them.

Putting together the intense routine of touring, and this high demand from their fans to know more and more about the artist’s personal life can be extremely stressful. 

This doesn’t justify some of the aggressive behaviors Deadmau5 may have had in the past, but it surely opens up the discussion about how people, even celebrities, maybe struggling and we may have no idea.

To relate to what has been said by Deadmau5 on how he feels, let’s discuss what depression is.

What is depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that can cause a person to experience intense sadness. It can also lead people to lose interest in things, even the ones they used to love. 

It can make a person more irritable, which could lead to some aggressiveness. It may also make it harder for the person to focus, and they can feel less energetic, and more fatigued.

It can lead the person to feel hopeless, empty, and isolated. As it changes their sleeping and eating patterns, and can cause people to experience crying spells. 

Depression makes the person’s self-esteem, and sense of self-worth go down, along with that, it can make the person experience pain, and lead to self-harm, and in some cases thoughts of death, and suicidal thoughts.

Depression can be caused by some factors, such as genetics, which implies that when you have a family history of depression, you have a higher chance of developing it. Or external matters, such as being through a traumatic situation, such as the loss of a loved one, or the end of a relationship. 

In other cases, depression can also be related to hormonal factors and a chemical imbalance in the person’s brain. When some hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin are at a low level, and others, such as cortisol, are at a high level, for a prolonged period, can lead people to develop depression.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Is Deadmau5 depressed?

What are good treatments for depression? 

Depression is usually treated with a combination of therapy and medication. In therapy, you will learn how to deal with your emotions better. It will allow you to create strategies to cope with depression and handle stress more positively.

The medication will decrease the intensity of your symptoms and will allow the chemical imbalance in your brain to set itself. But there are also things you can do in your everyday life that can help you feel better when you are depressed.

The first thing to do is to try and have a healthy lifestyle. You should try to keep a good sleep and eating routine. Those will help with your mood and energy levels. Another thing that will help with your lifestyle is exercising.

By doing so, even if it is just a short walk, you will be able to reduce your stress levels and even feel an improvement in your mood caused by the rush of endorphins. Meditation or breathing exercises can also help you center yourself when negative thoughts start rushing through your mind.

Being close to people you love is extremely beneficial when you are depressed. Even though depression will make you isolate yourself, being close to loved ones can be a chance to vent, feel supported, and even distract yourself from the negative thoughts.

And finally, you should try to keep yourself open to doing things that bring you positive emotions. You can take up volunteering, or a new hobby such as hiking. But try to do something that brings you good emotions, and that may also bring you some sense of accomplishment.

Why do celebrities become depressed? 

Celebrities can become depressed as any other person would. They may have a genetic predisposition to it, and the intense life they live can lead them to become depressed.

And even though some people may think they have no reason to be depressed, since they are financially safe, and adored by so many people. This doesn’t take into consideration the high level of stress they are put under. 

They need to always be available to others and are often hit with an overwhelming load of criticism, even more so through online communities. 

The fast pace of their lives, which makes it impossible for them to have a healthy routine, and how distant they can feel from their loved ones, may also have an impact on their mental health. What is important to have in mind is that depression can happen to anyone, and they should be treated with care and respect.

How can I help my friend who is depressed?

If you have a friend that is going through depression, one of the most important things is communication. Ask them how they are feeling, and what you can do to help. Don’t try to enter the problem-solving mode. This can only make it worse. 

Keep in mind that sometimes all they want is having someone to talk to. You can ask them what has been the hardest part of depression, and if it fits the moment, offer some sort of help. Making yourself present is one of the most valuable things for a person with depression. 

You can also invite them to do things together. But keep in mind that their energy level won’t be the same as before. But you can try to invite them to watch a show, or just spend some time at home talking about things. 

Enjoying the good moments is also a way to help your friends. It reminds them of how much better life can be.

Do only people with depression have suicidal thoughts?

No, it is not only people with depression that have suicidal thoughts. People with many other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even borderline disorder may contemplate suicide at some point.

But it is not only due to mental illness that people may think of suicide. Some people may consider suicide if they are going through some tragic situation in which they find no other possibility but to end their lives. 

And even though those people can also come to develop depression, it may be that they think about it even before being depressed.

What is important to keep in mind is that if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, you should look for professional help. Look for a therapist or a psychiatrist that will help you understand this better.

Will only medication make my depression better?

No, not only medication will improve your depression. Although it may make you feel better, once you stop taking them, if you haven’t learned how to deal with your emotions more positively, you can get depressed again.

The key thing in preventing a relapse of depression is learning how to handle stressful situations more positively.

Conclusion 

This article centered around DJ Deadmau5 and how he came forward admitting to being depressed. It showed in what ways depression affected him, and how he has dealt with the condition.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to write them in the section below.

References

https://www.vice.com/amp/en/article/z45me8/deadmau5-opens-up-about-his-struggles-with-depression

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