I think one of the reasons you see an unexpected number of runners with depression is because the act of running can help alleviate depression. People naturally gravitate to the (temporary) relief running brings. Running has certainly helped me.
Being a student-athlete at Stanford must be tough. When I was in high school it seemed like the dream scenario but now with perspective I can see how that could turn into a nightmare. Roisin mentioned she was having insomnia issues and I can only imagine how the academic load plus training and any number of other commitments starts to weigh heavily. I think running can also be uniquely challenging mentally when you are able to so directly compare yourself with previous seasons and your competition. When things are going well, it can easy to tune that out or just carry along but when things get rocky that can suddenly change. I'm sure Juliette has a wonderful support system around her and I would hope that the running community she actually interacts with (far from the haters of the message boards) appreciate her sharing this.
The "academic load" is not heavy depending on your major.
There's a lot of truth to this - surprised that it was downvoted. Stanford's average GPA is close to 3.8. The course load is only as hard as you make it - it's not MIT. You could half ass a 'traditional' humanities (or even economics) degree and get above 3.7.
How come it's never Ethiopian or Kenyan women runners having these kinds of struggles?
Don't the dudes party hard when they get success? Like pro runners boozing it up, that always seemed stupid to me. Sounds like they have their fair share of mental health issues. It's probably more culturally appropriate over there to just suffer in silence which is unhealthy for various reasons.
Mental health problems are more common than you probably think. The city I grew up in had a longitudinal study following 1000 people born about 50 years ago. Currently, 86% have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. I guess that number is going to increase or maybe the lucky 14% are 'never sufferers'.
It’s hard because a lot of the time anxiety comes with the depression or might even be the cause of it and with anxiety (at least social anxiety) it makes it almost impossible to go to a doctor and tell them what’s going on. It’s a weird thing. You want help, know you need it but you can’t go see or talk to anyone. Dang near impossible. But if you’re depressed just go to the doctor and take the meds they give you. You won’t feel anything. Ya have to give it a month or so but one day you’ll just realize oh I haven’t thought about killing myself for a few days. It’s a strange thing but those depression meds do work. Anxiety meds, at least the “narcotic” kind are a god send lol. If you can wait long enough, go through multiple none narcotic anxiety meds and have a doctor who isn’t scared to death to prescribe them then they can make a hugeeee difference.
It’s hard but go see a doctor and keep going back until you find something that helps. There are def drugs that can help. Glad she’s doing better
Tough reading about her struggles. Big fan. A great young runner whom , I expect has something left to give. Hoping Juliette's supporter circle around and get her thru this.
Her father was a very nice 800m runner in the NY Catholic league. Best wishes and positive thoughts going out to the Whitakers.