20 Years Living with Anxiety & Depression

AJ opens up about his mental health in a rare, impromptu sit down. These are the stories that inspire his music and shed light on palpable grief, trauma and stressful situations most often are shoved under the rug.
Although this presentation only scratches the surface; AJ dares to go where nobody likes to go. Delving in-depth into his early development, tumultuous youth and haunting memories.
Touching upon a non-linear educational path, unpleasant workplaces and series of unfortunate events that lead to disappointments in Adulthood.
Grab a Tea and some tissues while AJ goes through the years without a script. Nothing too fancy. Only an open heart and mind as this survivor continues the good, deep work of healing.
00:08 Introduction
01:29 Early Development of Symptoms
05:19 Growing up with mental illness/Finding a diagnosis
08:14 Middle School Eating Disorder
11:01 Entering High School hell
13:51 Grief of 2006 that stays
15:48 Grade 10 Hand sanitizer
16:58 Valentine’s Day 2008
17:51 The Outsider experience
20:20 Returning to school after 1st hospital admittance
22:36 Anorexia + Purging & long term effects
24:00 Questions and Glaring at weight loss
25:00 Summer of 2008 with a severe ED
27:23 Ugly side effects of purging
30:19 Grade 12 emaciation and self harm
31:30 IV Fluid & Hitting Rock Bottom
33:44 In-patient out-patient eating disorders program
35:50 Almost kicked out of children’s hospital program
38:02 Graduating out-patient program & the cold shoulder
39:25 Finishing High school
40:28 My life is like a Lifetime movie
41:28 Stunted personal development & Survivorship
42:52 Going off to Theatre school
45:02 1st TV experience discussing mental health
45:32 Cracks in Theatre school start to show
50:37 Leaving Theatre school
52:26 Back to my hometown
53:59 Feeling Blindsided & moving again
54:50 Psychology courses
55:52 Working in Retail
58:40 Stigma of Mental Health in workplaces
59:59 Music Industry Arts/No esteem or connection
1:05:34 Lack of Mental Health supports in the institutions
1:08:38 How it feels to take a year off
1:12:25 2016-2019 College Experience in a nutshell
1:14:00 Reflection on acting “Normal”
1:16:33 Frustration & Confusion of the need to explain
1:18:29 Coping with adversity, stress, pressure & trauma
1:19:35 Mental Health in recent pandemic years
1:20:45 More thoughtful reflection of past 20 years
1:29:35 Some closing thoughts
1:34:20 Debrief
1:36:34 Comments on Destigmatization
1:38:27 Giving Thanks
Previous Videos by AJ on similar topics:
Making of B&S
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How I got Started in Music
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Starving for Resources
• Starving for Resources