You Are Not Alone - Johnny Depp, Anxiety
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor, producer, and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor, along with three Academy Awards Nominations. He rose to prominence on the 1980's television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol.
Depp is regarded as one of the world's biggest movie stars. He has gained worldwide critical acclaim all through his career. Depp always has taken on challenging and "larger-than-life" roles. He also has garnered a sex symbol status in American cinema, being twice named as the "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine in 2003 and 2009. He has been listed in the 2012 Guinness World Records as the highest paid actor, with earnings of $75 million.
His Early Life
Depp was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, the youngest of four children of Betty Sue Palmer (née Wells), a waitress, and John Christopher Depp, a civil engineer. Depp moved frequently during his childhood. He and his siblings lived in more than 20 different places, eventually settling in Miramar, Florida in 1970. In 1978, when he was 15, Depp's parents divorced. His mother remarried to Robert Palmer (died 2000), whom Depp has called "an inspiration to me".
Depp wanted to be a Rock Musician and followed his dreams in his teenage years.
Depp subsequently collaborated with the band Rock City Angels and co-wrote their song "Mary", which appeared on Rock City Angels' debut Geffen Records album, Young Man's Blues.
On December 20, 1983, Depp married Lori Anne Allison, the sister of his band's bass player and singer. During Depp's marriage, his wife worked as a makeup artist, while he worked a variety of odd jobs, including a telemarketer for pens. His wife introduced him to actor Nicolas Cage, who advised Depp to pursue an acting career. Depp took the advice.
Johnny Depp's Career
Depp started his careers with Television. Later on he moved into films. Depp's first major role was in the 1984 classic horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street. In 1993, Depp continued to receive critical and commercial acclaim. He appeared in Benny & Joon, which became a sleeper hit.
Depp has generally chosen roles which he found interesting, rather than those he thought would succeed at the box office. Critics have often described Depp's characters as "iconic loners." Depp has referred to some of his less-successful films as "studio-defined failures" and "box office poison", and that he thought “the studios neither understood the films nor did a good job of marketing them.”
The 2003 Walt Disney Pictures film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a major success, in which Depp's performance as the suave but shambling pirate Captain Jack Sparrow was highly praised. Studio bosses were more ambivalent at first, but the character became popular with the movie-going public. According to a survey taken by Fandango, Depp was a major draw for audiences.
Depp has earned a Star at Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to films.
Depp eagerly followed his other interests like Managing Production House, Music, Editing, Wine making, Restaurateur.
Johnny Depp’s struggle with Anxiety
He had an anxiety problem. Johnny Depp commented in an interview, “I’m able to express better the feelings of those who are a little outside. I don’t consider myself an outsider, but neither completely integrated in the society… Tim (Burton) and I share this kind of sensitivity, this way of understanding or not understanding the world.”
Depp has talked about getting drunk earlier in his career and having to go to functions like press appearances, and perhaps to deal with his sensitivity: “I guess I was trying not to feel anything.”
He thinks drug use “has less to do with recreation and more to do with the fact that we need to escape from our brains. We need to escape from everyday life. It’s self-medication and that’s the problem.” Depp is one of many well-known people who have engaged in cutting or other forms of self-injury, to deal with overwhelming feelings.
In his words, “I was always fascinated by people who are considered completely normal, because I find them the weirdest of all”.
Overcoming his Anxiety
Depp has access to therapists at all times, including on movie sets, to help talk to him and advise him on how to control anxiety when it strikes. These professionals can help him change his way of thinking so he is able to get through the day doing what he loves the most. While it is difficult for him to go out and do interviews; he is able to do it. He's not the best at being outgoing or friendly when he's in uncomfortable situations, but it's still able to try.
Johnny gets through countless media interviews, including those that are in front of hundreds of people. His ability to do this is something that many can appreciate, especially those who share his condition of anxiety. Depp is a role model for many anxiety sufferers, not just for his achievements whilst having anxiety; but having the bravery to eventually seek help for his anxiety. If you are in need of support or treatment, we are always here to provide support and help as you walk on your road to recovery.