While it was easy for audiences to enjoy Mara Wilson as a perky child performer in movies like Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, the young actress had mental health issues that weren’t enjoyable at all. Mara had been dealing with severe anxiety for as long as she could remember. Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Matilda started shooting and Mara developed symptoms of OCD. Then came depression, and eventually body dysmorphia, too. Mara Wilson is 32 years old now and has relegated acting to the sidelines. She has a good grip on how her mind works and feels great about her new focus as a writer, but she knows that managing her conditions will be a lifelong job. You can pre-order John's book at<a href="http://bit.ly/HilariousWorldBook"> bit.ly/HilariousWorldBook</a>. Support our show today at <a href="http://hilariousworld.org/donate">hilariousworld.org/donate</a>.

While it was easy for audiences to enjoy Mara Wilson as a perky child performer in movies like Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, the young actress had mental health issues that weren’t enjoyable at all. Mara had been dealing with severe anxiety for as long as she could remember. Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Matilda started shooting and Mara developed symptoms of OCD. Then came depression, and eventually body dysmorphia, too. Mara Wilson is 32 years old now and has relegated acting to the sidelines. She has a good grip on how her mind works and feels great about her new focus as a writer, but she knows that managing her conditions will be a lifelong job. You can pre-order John's book at bit.ly/HilariousWorldBook. Support our show today at hilariousworld.org/donate.

While it was easy for audiences to enjoy Mara Wilson as a perky child performer in movies like Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, the young actress had mental health issues that weren’t enjoyable at all. Mara had been dealing with severe anxiety for as long as she could remember. Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Matilda started shooting and Mara developed symptoms of OCD. Then came depression, and eventually body dysmorphia, too. Mara Wilson is 32 years old now and has relegated acting to the sidelines. She has a good grip on how her mind works and feels great about her new focus as a writer, but she knows that managing her conditions will be a lifelong job. You can pre-order John's book at<a href="http://bit.ly/HilariousWorldBook" rel="noopener noreferrer"> bit.ly/HilariousWorldBook</a>. Support our show today at <a href="http://hilariousworld.org/donate" rel="noopener noreferrer">hilariousworld.org/donate</a>.

Mara Wilson Had Great Opportunities and Difficult Challenges

A show about clinical depression...with laughs? Well, yeah. Depression is an incredibly common and isolating disease experienced by millions, yet often stigmatized by society. The Hilarious World of Depression is a series of frank, moving, and, yes, funny conversations with top comedians who have dealt with this disease, hosted by veteran humorist and public radio host John Moe. Join guests such as Maria Bamford, Paul F. Tompkins, Andy Richter, and Jen Kirkman to learn how they’ve dealt with depression and managed to laugh along the way. If you have not met the disease personally, it’s almost certain that someone you know has, whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbor. Depression is a vicious cycle of solitude and stigma that leaves people miserable and sometimes dead. Frankly, we’re not going to put up with that anymore. The Hilarious World of Depression is not medical treatment and should not be seen as a substitute for therapy or medication. But it is a chance to gain some insight, have a few laughs, and realize that people with depression are not alone and that together, we can all feel a bit better. American Public Media and HealthPartners’ Make It Okay campaign are committed to breaking the stigma around mental health.

Share Mara Wilson Had Great Opportunities and Difficult Challenges

Sign up to save your podcasts

Mara Wilson Had Great Opportunities and Difficult Challenges

Mara Wilson Had Great Opportunities and Difficult Challenges

More shows like The Hilarious World of Depression

The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

Marketplace Morning Report

Marketplace

Tara Brach

The Moth

Marketplace All-in-One

Mental Illness Happy Hour

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

The One You Feed

Death, Sex & Money

10% Happier with Dan Harris

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

Thanks For Asking

In The Dark

The SelfWork Podcast

Feeling Good Podcast | TEAM-CBT - The New Mood Therapy

Make Me Smart

Depression Detox Show | Daily Inspirational Talks

Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

Forever Ago

Depresh Mode with John Moe

We Can Do Hard Things

Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Good Hang with Amy Poehler