Michelle Obama Opens up About Her ‘Low-Grade Depression’ on ‘The Michelle Obama Podcast’
Former first lady, Michelle Obama, got candid on how she copes with “some form of low-grade depression.”
In a new episode of The Michelle Obama Podcast, Michelle revealed her coping strategies in dealing with the world’s current climate. During the podcast, Michelle sat down with journalist, Michele Norris, and expressed what has attributed to her mental health.
When opening up about her depression, Michelle described that the changes in both our lives and communities have deeply affected her mental state. “Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting,” said Michelle.
“I don’t think I’m unusual in that. But I’d be remiss to say that part of this depression is also a result of what we’re seeing in terms of the protests, the continued racial unrest, that has plagued this country since its birth. I have to say that waking up to the news, waking up to how this administration has or has not responded, waking up to yet another story of a Black man or a Black person somehow being dehumanized, or hurt or killed, or falsely accused of something, it is exhausting. And it has led to a weight that I haven’t felt in my life, in a while,” she added.
Michelle later mentioned her recent struggle in maintaining a healthy routine. However, she exclaimed that social media detoxes are necessary, as well as surrounding herself with loved ones who have aided her through this uneasy time. She noted that she established these coping mechanisms during her time in the White House.
Thank you for sharing your feelings about the depression that so many of us are going thru. I wake up not recognizing my country. I’m 71 and have been thru so much in my life. All we can do now is hold on to the hope that democracy in America will survive. God Bless.
— Denise E. Dodson (@DeniseD46175190) August 5, 2020
Check out the full second episode of The Michelle Obama Podcast, here.