Going There with Dr. Mike Julien Baker on Living with Depression and OCD
Jan 19, 2021
Julien Baker, a singer-songwriter known for her emotionally charged music, opens up about her battles with depression and OCD. She describes depression as a 'giant hole' and reveals how obsessive thoughts can trap her. Julien explores her coping strategies, including running and using music as a vital outlet for her emotions. They also dive into the pressure of societal expectations and the struggle with perfectionism, all while emphasizing the importance of honest conversations around mental health.
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Music As First Language Of Sadness
- Julien Baker remembered finding deep, unexplainable sadness as a child through music like My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco.
- She described early depressive feelings as tactile memories tied to songs rather than clear emotional labels.
Depression Feels Like A Growing Hole
- Julien's father described depression as trying to fill a giant hole that keeps growing despite effort.
- That metaphor helped her grasp how effort doesn't always reduce depressive emptiness.
OCD Intensifies Depressive Thought Loops
- Julien linked her particular struggles to comorbid OCD, where thoughts are obsessive and repetitive.
- OCD made it harder for her to escape negative thought loops and increased isolation.