Naming the Unnamed: Depression and Anxiety in Charly Cox’s Instapoems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64858/gaudeamus.v5.60Keywords:
depression, anxiety, mental health, Instapoetry, Charly CoxAbstract
This article examines Charly Cox’s Instapoems “funny” and “a voice I know,” in which she explores the themes of depression and anxiety, respectively. Even though mental health is becoming more present in public discourse, there is still much stigma associated with mental disorders. Drawing on her lived experiences, the Instapoet shares her unfiltered journey dealing with both conditions, her internal conflicts and the impact that depression and anxiety have on her daily life. The analysis considers how Cox’s raw and relatable style empowers readers by validating their own challenges and creating a sense of solidarity among those facing similar mental health issues. Furthermore, her work transcends personal expression, as it fulfills a social function: it confronts the stigma surrounding mental health and encourages open conversations about these often-taboo topics.
References
Albert, Paul R. 2015. “Why Is Depression More Prevalent in Women?” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 40.4: 219-221.
2017. American Psychiatric Association. “Mental Health Disparities: LGBTQ.” Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations. Web. <https://www.psychiatry.org/getmedia/552df1c0-57f2-4489-88fa-432182ce815a/Mental-Health-Facts-for-LGBTQ.pdf> [Accessed on September 20, 2024].
2023. “Anxiety Disorders.” World Health Organization. Web. <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders> [Accessed on September 5, 2024].
2024. “Anxiety Disorders Prevalence.” Our World in Data. Web. <https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/anxiety-disorders-prevalence> [Accessed on September 19, 2024].
Argyriou, Angeliki, et al. 2021. “Mediators of the Disparities in Depression between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Individuals: A Systematic Review.” Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50.3: 925-959.
Bailey, Rahn K., et al. 2019. “Racial and Ethnic Differences in Depression: Current Perspectives.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2019.15: 603-609.
Bains, Navneet, and Sara Abdijadid. 2023. “Major Depressive Disorder.” National Library of Medicine. Web. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559078/>. [Accessed on September 14, 2024].
Bertschy, G., et al. 2020. “Racing and Crowded Thoughts in Mood Disorders: A Data-Oriented Theoretical Reappraisal.” L’Encéphale, 46.3: 202-208.
Budhwani, Henna, et al. 2015. “Depression in Racial and Ethnic Minorities: The Impact of Nativity and Discrimination.” Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2: 34-42.
Churchill, Sefa A., et al. 2020. “Locus of Control and the Gender Gap in Mental Health.” Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 178: 740-758.
“Constitution.” World Health Organization. Web <https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution> [Accessed on August 26 2024].
Cox, Charly. 2018. she must be mad. London: HQ.
---. “a voice I know,” she must be mad, 58-59. London: HQ.
---. “funny,” she must be mad, 51-53. London: HQ.
de Bles, Nienke J., et al. 2019. “Trait Anger and Anger Attacks in Relation to Depressive and Anxiety Disorders.” Journal of Affective Disorders, 259: 259-265.
2024. “Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health. Web., <https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression> [Accessed on September 16, 2024].
2023. “Depressive Disorder.” World Health Organization. Web. <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression> [Accessed on September 14, 2024].
Essau, Cecilia A. 2020. “Comorbidity of Addictive Problems: Assessment and Treatment Implications.” Adolescent Addiction: Epidemiology, Assessment, and Treatment, edited by Cecilia A. Essau and Paul H. Delfabbro, 291-317. London: Academic Press.
European Institute for Gender Equality. 2021. “Women Report Poorer Mental Well-Being than Men,” Gender Equality Index 2021: Health. Web. <https://eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/toolkits-guides/gender-equality-index-2021-report/women-report-poorer-mental-well-being-men?language_content_entity=en> [Accessed on September 23, 2024].
Farhane-Medina, Naima Z., et al. 2022. “Factors Associated with Gender and Sex Differences in Anxiety Prevalence and Comorbidity: A Systematic Review.” Science Progress, 105. 4: 1-30.
Farreras, Ingrid G. 2019. “History of Mental Illness.” General Psychology: Required Reading, edited by Lauren Brewer, NOBA. Web. <https://nobaproject.com/textbooks/lauren-brewer-new-textbook> [Accessed on September 23, 2024].
Gottschalk, Michael G., and Katharina Domschke. 2017. “Genetics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Related Traits.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19.2: 159-168.
Greden, John F. 2003, “Physical Symptoms of Depression: Unmet Needs.” Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 64: 5-11.
Guessoum, Sélim B., et al. 2020. “A Transnosographic Approach of Negative Symptoms Pathophysiology in Schizophrenia and Depressive Disorders.” Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 99: 1-12.
Hoffner, Cynthia A., and Bradley J. Bond. 2022. “Parasocial Relationships, Social Media, & Well-Being.” Current Opinion in Psychology, 45: 1-6.
2023. “Is Mental Health Just a Trend?” Western Tidewater Community Services Board. Web. 2 <https://www.wtcsb.org/is-mental-health-just-a-trend/> [Accessed on August 24, 2024].
Jenkins, Paul H. 2021.Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness: An Exploration of the Past, Present, and Future. New York: Routledge.
Knox, JuEunhae, et al. “Global Instapoetry.” European Journal of English Studies, 1.3: 3-13.
Lai, Alvina G., and Wai H. Chang. 2022. “There Is no Health without Mental Health: Challenges Ignored and Lessons Learned.” Clinical and Translational Medicine, 12.6. National Library of Medicine. Web. <https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fctm2.897> [Accessed on August 20, 2024].
Mackay, James, and Polina Mackay. 2023. “Antecedents of Instapoetry: Considering the Commercial Short Form Aphorism Before and Beyond the Social Media Sphere.” European Journal of American Studies, 18.2. Web. <https://doi.org/10.4000/ejas.20084> [Accessed on April 2, 2025].
2022. “Mental Health.” World Health Organization. Web. <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response> [Accessed on August 23, 2024].
2024. “Mental Health Pressures in England.” British Medical Association. Web. <https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/mental-health-pressures-data-analysis#:~:text=Between%202017%20and%202022%2C%20rates,more%20than%201%20in%206> [Accessed on August 24, 2024].
Mula, Marco, et al. 2007. “The Neurobiology and Clinical Significance of Depersonalization in Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Critical Reappraisal.” Journal of Affective Disorders, 99.1-3: 91-99.
Nam, Suk Kyung, et al. 2013. “Psychological Factors in College Students’ Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help: A Meta-Analysis.” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 44.1: 37-45.
Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan, et al. 2008. “Rethinking Rumination.” Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3.5: 400-424.
Reinert, Maddy, et al. 2024 “The State of Mental Health in America 2024.” Mental Health America. Alexandra: Mental Health America.
Riecher-Rössler, Anita. 2017. “Sex and Gender Differences in Mental Disorders.” The Lancet Psychiatry, 4.1: 8-9.
Schultz, Duane. 2013. A History of Modern Psychology. New York: Academic Press.
Seli, Paul, et al. 2017. “Intrusive Thoughts: Linking Spontaneous Mind Wandering and OCD Symptomatology.” Psychological Research, 81: 392-398.
Semlyen, Joanna, et al. 2016. “Sexual Orientation and Symptoms of Common Mental Disorder or Low Wellbeing: Combined Meta-Analysis of 12 UK Population Health Surveys.” BMC Psychiatry, 16: 1-9.
Serretti, Alessandro. 2023. “Anhedonia and Depressive Disorders.” Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 21.3: 401-409.
Shimada‐Sugimoto, Mihoko, et al. 2015. “Genetics of Anxiety Disorders: Genetic Epidemiological and Molecular Studies in Humans.” Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 69.7: 388-401.
Sierra, Mauricio, et al. 2012. “Depersonalization Disorder and Anxiety: A Special Relationship?” Psychiatry Research, 197.1-2: 123-127.
Steger, Michael F., and Todd B. Kashdan. 2009. “Depression and Everyday Social Activity, Belonging, and Well-being.” Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56.2: 289-300.
Stentiford, Lauren, et al. 2023. “‘They Think It’s Trendy to Have a Disability/Mental-Illness’: Disability, Capital and Desire in Elite Education.” British Journal of Sociology of Education, 44.6: 1067-1086.
Thelandersson, Fredrika. 2023. 21st Century Media and Female Mental Health: Profitable Vulnerability and Sad Girl Culture. Cham: Springer Nature.
Thompson, Richard, and David C. Zuroff. 2004. “The Levels of Self-Criticism Scale: Comparative Self-Criticism and Internalized Self-Criticism.” Personality and Individual Differences, 36.2: 419-430.
Trivedi, Madhukar H. 2004. “The Link between Depression and Physical Symptoms.” Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 6.1: 12-16.
United Nations. 2020. “Policy Brief: COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health.” United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Web. <https://unsdg.un.org/resources/policy-brief-covid-19-and-need-action-mental-health> [Accessed on September 3, 2024].
Vanderminden, Jennifer, and Jennifer J. Esala. 2019. “Beyond Symptoms: Race and Gender Predict Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis.” Society and Mental Health, 9.1: 111-125.
Vankar, Preeti. 2024. “Share of the Population Worldwide Who Suffered from Anxiety Disorders From 1990 to 2021.” Statista. Web. [Accessed on September 19, 2024].
Watkins, Edward R., and Henrietta Roberts. 2020. “Reflecting on Rumination: Consequences, Causes, Mechanisms and Treatment of Rumination.” Behaviour Research and Therapy, 127: 1-28.
Wenzlaff, Richard M. 2002. “Intrusive Thoughts in Depression.” Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 16.2: 145-159.
Williams, David R. 2018. “Stress and the Mental Health of Populations of Color: Advancing our Understanding of Race-Related Stressors.” Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 59.4: 466-485.
Williams, Tina, and Havi Carel. 2018. “Breathlessness: From Bodily Symptom to Existential Experience.” Existential Medicine, edited by Kevin Aho, 145-254. OAPEN: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Web. <https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/48392> [Accessed on September 13, 2024].
Wu, Yang, et al. 2023. “Changing Trends in the Global Burden of Mental Disorders from 1990 to 2019 and Predicted Levels in 25 Years.” Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 32: 1-9.
Zamorano, Sara, et al. 2023. “Social Stigma towards Mental Health Problems in Spain: A Systematic Review.” Clínica y salud, 34.1: 23-34.
Zbozinek, Tomislav D., et al. 2012. “Diagnostic Overlap of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder in a Primary Care Sample.” Depression and Anxiety, 29.12: 1065-1071.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Irene Martínez Misa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. Also, authors will retain the rights on their work, even if they will be granting Gaudeamus a non-exclusive right of use to reproduce, edit, distribute, publicly communicate and show their work. Therefore, authors are free to engage in additional, independent contracts for non-exclusive distribution of the works published in this journal (such as uploading them to an institutional repository or publishing them in a book), as long as the fact that the manuscripts were first published in this journal is acknowledged.
