“I wish I had someone at that time who could just pull me aside and say, ‘hey, it’s going to be okay.’” – Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Douglas Johnson, who is also known as his ring name The Rock, is an American-Canadian actor, producer, businessman, retired professional wrestler, and former American and Canadian football player. He is one of the tough guys and top earners in Hollywood.
But, the former wrestler-turned-actor has shed some light on his battle with depression over the years.
Dwayne Johnson shared his personal battle with depression in an interview, revealing that he was “crying constantly” at one point.
Speaking to the express, Johnson talked about the challenges he faced in maintaining his mental health.
“Struggle and pain are real,” he said. “I was devastated and depressed.” He said that we all have been there on some level or another.
What is Clinical Depression?
In a major depressive episode, “sad” feelings are accompanied by persistent problems in other areas of life – problems such as an appetite change (an increase or a decrease); altered sleep patterns (more or less sleep than usual); loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, including sex; loss of energy; diminished ability to think or concentrate; feelings of worthlessness or self-approach; or suicidal thoughts or act.
During a depressive episode, a person’s mood or thought patterns may be strikingly negative. The depressed person often appears lost, vulnerable, detached, unable to find joy in any aspect of daily life; life seems to have lost its vitality, and a sort of numbness has set in. often the person seems constantly on the verge of tears. Thoughts about self are likely to be overwhelmingly negative; the person may feel unattracted, inferior to others, incompetent as a spouse or parent, and unsuccessful at school or work.
What did he go through in his childhood?
In one of his interviews, he explained that his mother attempted suicide when he was 15 by walking into oncoming traffic. Johnson said he pulled his mother to the side of the road.
He explained that the crazy part about the suicide attempt is to that day, she had no recollection of it whatsoever.
“Probably, best she doesn’t,” he said. As a teenager, Johnson watched his parents struggle for essentials as they were evicted from their apartment and got their car repossessed.
“We were living in an efficiency that cost $120 a week,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. They went home, and there’s a padlock on their door and an eviction notice. His mom starts bawling. She just started crying and breaking down. The question was where are they going to live now and what are they going to do now. Johnson’s depression followed him at the University of Miami, which he attended with a full football scholarship. He dreamed of one day becoming a professional football player. Following a series of injuries, Johnson dropped out of college in his first semester and had a 0.7 GPA. However, he managed to pick himself back up.
How Rock motivates others?
Setting an example, Johnson reminded his followers to voice their struggles and help others through theirs. After seeing the support he had received from talking about his depression, Johnson tweeted, “depression never discriminates.”
He said that it took him a long time to realize it but the key is to not be afraid to open up, especially since some boys like him have a tendency to keep it in and that we are not alone.
Further, he claimed that inner strength prevented him from becoming suicidal like his mother.
All we need is a little faith in ourselves and hold on to those small little things or memories that bring a smile to our faces. Take those little things and keep moving on, don’t stop. We have to take care of ourselves and others around us. Just remember that,
“It’s a bad day, not a bad life.”
Written by Shipra
