What I Wish I Knew as a Teenager Struggling with Depression and Anxiety

In this powerful conversation, Charlotte Underwood reflects on her teenage years living with undiagnosed depression and anxiety. She opens up about the darkness she experienced, the resilience she didn’t know she had, and the lessons she wishes her younger self could have known. Now in her 20s, Charlotte shares how she moved from isolation and despair to building a life filled with love, connection, and purpose. Her story is one of honesty, hope, and encouragement for every teen — or adult — who feels lost in depression.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Charlotte’s early struggles with anxiety, depression, and trauma
• The loneliness of growing up without understanding mental illness
• Why depression convinces you that nothing will ever get better
• Lessons she wishes she had known at 14 about mental health, resilience, and support
• The role of therapy, self-care, and small acts of kindness in recovery
• How love, connection, and self-acceptance can transform life
• Encouragement and messages of hope for struggling teens today

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and podcast mission
 01:11 - Depression’s convincing lies about permanence
 01:36 - Discovering Charlotte’s gratitude post online
 02:49 - Charlotte’s early struggles as a teenager
 03:57 - How she envisioned her future at 14
 04:52 - Building a life she never thought possible
 05:41 - A joyful night that sparked her message of hope
 07:10 - What she wishes she knew about depression as a teen
 07:56 - Discovering her resilience and inner strength
 08:53 - The importance of support from family and friends
 10:15 - Hiding depression and self-harm from loved ones
 11:02 - Why she thought she would be rejected if she shared
 12:08 - Understanding that support often exists if you reach out
 13:14 - Discovering that different treatments exist and work differently
 13:10 - Knowing the future can hold joy, love, and purpose
 14:20 - Charlotte’s direct message to struggling teens
 16:09 - Hosts reflect on Charlotte’s resilience and hope
 17:47 - The metaphor of keeping the spark of hope alive
 19:00 - Closing reflections and inspiration

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