Author J. K. Rowling Was Thinking Of Suicide
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
March 23, 2008 5:38pm CST
I heard this on the news...since I'm a great fan of author J.K. Rowling and her books Harry Potter it amazed me to find out that at one time, Rowling was contemplating suicide...this was well before she wrote her Harry Potter books which has risen her to phenomenal fame...this was when she had just gotten a divorce, a single mother, a nearly penniless. She plunged into such a deep depression that she contemplated suicide.
Here's an article about it:(Quote)
....."NEW YORK — JK Rowling has revealed that she thought of killing herself while suffering from depression as a struggling single mother.
The Harry Potter author says she was prescribed cognitive behavioral therapy after suffering “suicidal thoughts” in the aftermath of separation from her first husband, Jorge Arantes, a Portuguese journalist.
She is now one of the world’s richest women, but at the time lived in a cramped flat in Edinburgh with her baby daughter Jessica. Rowling was only able to afford the rent after a friend paid the deposit. It was there she began writing the first Harry Potter book.
While Rowling, 42, has spoken before of her battle with depression, it is the first time she has admitted that she contemplated suicide. She said she finally sought professional help.
“Mid-twenties life circumstances were poor and I really plummeted,” said Rowling. “The thing that made me go for help . . . was probably my daughter. She was something that earthed me, grounded me, and I thought, this isn’t right, this can’t be right, she cannot grow up with me in this state.”
Rowling said her usual GP was away, and the replacement doctor sent her away. “She said, ‘If you ever feel a bit low, come and speak to the practice nurse’ and dismissed me.”
Rowling added: “We’re talking suicidal thoughts here, we’re not talking ‘I’m a little bit miserable’.
Two weeks later I had a phone call from my regular GP who had looked back over the notes . . . She called me back in and I got counseling through her.
“She absolutely saved me because I don’t think I would have had the guts to go and do it twice.”
Cognitive behavioral therapy typically involves a series of sessions with a counselor and is designed to help patients control negative thoughts. The technique is recommended by the health department for depressive disorders, anxiety, bulimia and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Rowling, whose Harry Potter novels have sold more than 400m copies worldwide and spawned a billion dollar industry, said she was happy to discuss her mental health problems to challenge the stigma associated with depressive illness.
“I have never been remotely ashamed of having been depressed. Never,” she said in an interview with Adeel Amini, 22, for a student magazine at Edinburgh University.
“What’s to be ashamed of? I went through a really rough time and I am quite proud that I got out of that.”
Mental health campaigners welcomed Rowling’s decision to speak publicly about her struggle with suicidal depression.
Celia Richardson, campaigns director of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “JK Rowling is a wonderful role model and it’s brilliant she has chosen to talk about this.”.....
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340736,00.html
I think it's encouraging that Rowling had the guts to freely admit and isn't ashamed to reveal her "dark" period...Thank goodness she did seek help and was able to carry on with her life...if she had gone through with her attempts of suicide the world would never have been gifted with her talents as an author
3 people like this
6 responses
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
24 Mar 08
I never knew this about Rowlings but can't say I'm surprised - I know myself what it's like to be a single mother and all the things/problems that come with that task. I also think this is common with artistic people who are not fufilling their calling which shows in Rowlings work - all those stories just waiting to get out.

@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
25 Mar 08
Yep - knowing this about Rowlings should be encouragment to others. If you give up you never will fufill those dreams but look what can happen if you keep on fighting :)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Mar 08
All I can say is then, her fame and success is well deserved then...and kind of gives hope to any of us who are creative and yearn and wish success as well

@dexterlab (458)
•
30 May 08
[b][u] well its not the correct reason for the anybody to commit sucide
she was the good thinker and mature women
how could she do this...
she was the richest women of the england....
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
24 Mar 08
You know Pye, isn't it amazing that we never think people like that have problems. We just look at them and think, "Wow, wish I could write like that", or "Wish I had her money."
I give her much credit for being so truthful and getting through such a dark period. Wonderful author!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Mar 08
Yes, we do tend to think that people that are successful never had a care in the world prior to them becoming famous
@megumiart (3771)
• United States
24 Mar 08
I love J.K. and Harry Potter, but I'm not too surprised to hear this. Many artists and creative people go through strong emotional/mental troubled times in their lives.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Mar 08
Hehe..wonder if that's an indicator I'll be famous....being that I'm a creative person myself and had my share of "problems"--



@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Mar 08
Yes it does take courage to admit and talk about something like this








