Stephen Hawking on Depression

It’s estimated that more than 350 million people around the world suffer from depression.

Depression sufferers experience a variety of symptoms but one seems common — a feeling that they’re unable to escape their diagnosis. When asked, some people describe the feeling, likening the experience to being in a black hole.

In a world of so much light, these patients feel as though they are swimming in a never-ending realm of darkness. There’s no escape.

While speaking to a crowd of 400 scientists at a recent lecture, renowned scientist and esteemed professor Stephen Hawking discussed the technical nature of black holes. But it was how he connected them to experiencing depression that truly moved the audience Hawking was first diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 1963. At the time of his diagnosis, doctors gave him just two years to live. Now, more than 53 years lHawking celebrated his 74th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down.

Many people have tried to describe the deep and intense feelings of depression throughout the years, usually through creative outlets like poetry, music, art and, film.

It was none other than Stephen Hawking who made this powerful speech to the Royal Institute in London, England, as he compared the mental illness to black holes:

“The message of this lecture is that black holes ain’t as black as they are painted. They are not the eternal prisons they were once thought. Things can get out of a black hole both on the outside and possibly to another universe. So if you feel you are in a black hole, don’t give up; there’s a way out.”

 

With a little bit more research on black holes, this analogy is very accurate and, potentially, helpful to anyone currently suffering from mental illness.Nasa’s website further describes and explains the science surrounding Black Holes.

“A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. Because no light can get out, people can’t see black holes. They are invisible.”

With stigma still surrounding mental health issues, people often feel invisible in their struggle. Hawking’s, however, described how that no matter how invisible or trapped you feel, there is always a way out of the darkness.

On Disability And Mental Health

Also part of the 2016 Reith Lectures program, Hawking was asked a series of questions, one of which directly asked him about his personal struggle with Motor Neurone Disease.

A 17-year-old asked him, “What inspired you to keep on going despite all the rough times in your life?”.

“I think my work and a sense of humor have kept me going. When I turned 21 my expectations were reduced to zero. You probably know this already because there’s been a movie about it. In this situation, it was important that I came to appreciate what I did have. Although I was unfortunate to get motor neurone disease, I have been very fortunate in almost everything else. I have been lucky to work in theoretical physics at a fascinating time, and it’s one of the few areas in which my disability was not a serious handicap. It’s also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life may seem, because you can lose all hope if you can’t laugh at yourself and life in general.”