DJs and Depression – A Profession of Pain & Pleasure

“Your whole life has been building up to this moment. Your whole life has been building up to this day. Every dream that moved you, every scar improved you, every voice around you tells you to believe.”

– Avicii

Let’s talk about DJs and depression…

Just as one might look at getting a routine blood test done or visit a dentist for a check up, one should understand that your mental health is also something that needs regular attention. Even more so when you’re working a job that involves a lot of emotional & mental exhaustion.

Working in the music industry may look glamorous, but there’s a LOT of work that goes into it behind the scenes. Back to back flights, little to no sleep on weekends, creative blocks & more. So let’s shine a little light on the profession of pain & pleasure – DJs and Depression.

Ok, let’s start at the beginning. Where most issues arise.

It’s no surprise that the promise of glitz & glamour is what attracts hordes of youngsters to explore a career in electronic music. Flying to exotic locations, hanging out with celebrities & watching the world dance to your music is the dream that’s being sold.

But like I mentioned before, this isn’t the case unless you’re at the top of the game. Even then, the rockstar lifestyle can get exhausting really quickly. In fact, the pressure of constantly “having a good time” can take a toll on you.

It’s no surprise then that we’re seeing more and more artists struggling to deal with it all and take extreme steps. The world has lost irreplaceable talents like Aviccii, Chester Bennington, Kurt Cobain & more to suicide. And the list gets longer with each passing year.

While it’s easy to say that poor mental health is the underlying issue that needs to be addressed, it’s not often we talk about how to identify the signs of deteriorating mental well-being. Let’s do that then. Let’s take a look at some red flags to watch out for.

Signs That You Or Someone You Know May Be Suffering From Poor Mental Health

1. Feeling Anxious or Worried

We’re all bound to get worried from time to time. But persistent anxiety that interferes with your day to day life & makes it hard to focus on tasks is a sign to watch out for. You might also experience physical symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath & dizziness.

2. Emotional Outbursts

No one can be emotionally stable constantly. Changes in mood are understandable. But sudden & dramatic changes can be a cause for concern. Especially if it’s extreme distress or anger.

3. Sleep Problems

Lasting changes to a persons sleep patterns is a sign of poor mental health. Insomnia can be a sign of anxiety or even continued substance abuse. Alternately, sleeping more than usual can be a sign of depression as well.

4. Substance Abuse

While having a few drinks is fairly normal while working in the music industry, relying on drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional or mental distress is a cause for concern. Keep in mind, you don’t just need to watch out for “party drugs“, but also be wary of developing a dependency on prescribed meds or sleeping pills.

5. Feeling Guilty or Worthless

This might come as a surprise to fans who see their favourite artists as confident & in control, but it’s possible to feel like you’re not accomplishing much when you’re constantly under mental stress. Thoughts like “I’m a failure” “It’s my fault” or “I’m worthless” can be overwhelming & requires immediate attention.

While these 5 points are some of the most common signs that you or someone you know could be suffering from poor mental health, they are by no means the only symptoms. Keep an eye out for changes in behaviour, moods, eating & sleeping patterns when it comes to your friends & loved ones.

Ok, so you know what to look for & how to identify the signs when it comes to mental health, which is a good start. Identifying an underlying issue & the need to address is the most vital step but is often overlooked. The question then arises – how do we take action?

Well the most important thing to remember is – NEVER SELF DIAGNOSE / MEDICATE.

No matter how well versed you think you are, depression, anxiety etc are legitimate medical concerns & should always be treated as such. There are a number of excellent helplines, centres and clinics popping up across the country. With licensed professionals well equipped to take care of you.

Arguably one of the best in the country is Tatva – an international organisation that focuses on emotional awareness & wellness. Their one of a kind EWA (Emotional Wellbeing for Artists) program is dedicated to providing emotional well being for music & creative professionals.

You can find them at www.tatvacenter.com.

In Conclusion…

While you might be working your socks off & living life to the fullest, it’s crucial to ensure you don’t burn out. Mental & emotional exhaustion can be the downfall of even the biggest talents. Keep an eye out for signs of distress & take action as needed.

Support your fellow artists. Drop us a comment if you have any tips or experiences to share. We’d love to hear from our community.

If you’re keen to explore electronic music as a hobby or a career, you may be interested to check out our DJ and Music Production courses.