Living with Depression Every Day: Shannon’s Story of Humor, Healing, and Mental Health

Shannon, better known online as @ShannyPants, is funny, vibrant, and energetic—but she’s also someone who lives with depression every single day. In this deeply honest and hopeful conversation, Shannon describes what it’s like to appear fine on the outside while struggling silently inside.

She shares her journey from denial to diagnosis, how she finally sought help after a breakdown, and why humor became both a personal therapy and a public platform. Her viral videos brought laughter, connection, and, most importantly, proof that vulnerability and visibility can change lives. If you’ve ever felt alone in your depression, this episode reminds you—you’re not.

Shannon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealshannypants

Primary Topics Covered:

• What “living with depression every day” really means
• Shannon’s contrast between her outgoing public self and depressive episodes
• The importance of routines and intentionally manageable to-do lists
• How working from home can intensify depressive symptoms
• Parenting children with mental health needs during COVID lockdown
• Hitting a breakdown point and finally considering antidepressants
• Challenging the stigma around medication and mental illness
• Her journey to mental clarity through therapy and medication
• How humor became her therapy—and a platform for helping others
• The emotional power and viral impact of sharing her truth online

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and podcast welcome
00:54 Why funny people can still have depression
01:42 Humor as therapy and a coping mechanism
02:28 Meet Shannon—public personality vs. private depression
03:11 What depression looks like day to day
03:47 The power of routine and easy wins on hard days
04:22 Paper planners, medication checklists, and feeling productive
05:28 The contrast between good days and couch-bound ones
06:13 Leaving the house to disrupt depressive spirals
07:23 Learning to be gentle with herself after years of harsh self-talk
07:53 COVID, parenting, and the moment her mental health collapsed
08:55 Friends noticing her breakdown and encouraging treatment
09:36 How seeing her child benefit from medication shifted her perspective
10:33 Denial, strength, and finally recognizing lifelong depression
11:37 Starting antidepressants—and feeling the fog lift
12:39 Talking publicly about mental health and the impact of honesty
13:14 Viral vulnerability: the post that changed everything
14:12 Choosing humor *and* truth: blending entertainment with advocacy
14:51 The post that went global—and why it resonated so deeply
15:40 Depression as a disease of isolation
16:22 What healing sounds like in the present tense
17:24 Sharing stories as a form of therapy—for both speaker and listener
18:16 Where to find Shannon’s humorous videos for emotional lift
18:46 Preview of next episode: EMDR therapy and asking for help
19:48 Podcasts as accessible, therapeutic support
20:08 Final reflections: connection, hope, and honest healing

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/