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Adele is arguably one of the most famous women on the planet. Since releasing her first album in 2008, she’s sold 100 million records, and her music has won many accolades, including Grammy awards, Emmy awards and an Oscar. For someone so famous, she’s reportedly an easy-to-talk-to and down-to-earth individual. And her song lyrics often speak of melancholy and inner struggle, which is why people find it easy to relate with Adele. Depression is a common yet debilitating mental illness, and the singer-songwriter has openly discussed her own struggles with the mood disorder on several occasions.
The artist’s honesty about mental health may help reduce the stigma of mood disorders, while the powerful lyrics in her music can bring comfort to other people suffering from this condition. Her story shows how depression doesn’t discriminate and even 10-time Grammy winners can find themselves battling the condition.
The Relatable Story of Adele’s Depression
While most people relish media attention as soon as they reach fame, Adele has always been a quiet and private person. She has, however, spoken on multiple occasions about the mental health struggles she’s faced in her life. The star has been battling recurring episodes of depression for most of her life, and after giving birth to her child in 2012, she suffered from postpartum depression. Her story is common and relatable and shows how no one is immune to experiencing mental health conditions.
Adele first opened up about her battle with postpartum depression in a 2016 cover story interview with Vanity Fair. “My knowledge of postpartum — or postnatal, as we call it in England — is that you don’t want to be with your child; you’re worried you might hurt your child; you’re worried you weren’t doing a good job. But I was obsessed with my child. I felt very inadequate,” she explained. “It can come in many different forms.”
In a 2021 interview with The Face, Adele opened up further about her feelings during that phase of her life. “I also got really quite bad postpartum depression, or postnatal as we call it [in the UK]. I think it was just… Not the pressure, but what kind of parent do you want to be? No one wants to be like their own parents, no matter how great parents they were or not.”
Even as recently as 2022, the artist opened up to her fans during a performance about continuing therapy and the importance of looking after her mental well-being. “I started having therapy again because I went a few years without,” she said before mentioning how her divorce a few years back triggered a depressive episode.
While Adele is one of the most well-known and beloved performers on the planet, she does admit to feeling insecure about performing in front of live audiences. “I always get so emotional. I love making music, but there is something about performing live that actually terrifies me and fills me with dread.” Adele’s mental health battle is a big part of who she is as an artist, and it probably helped fans to see her openly admit to not always being perfect. Most people can relate to the fear of public speaking, whether they suffer from a mood disorder or not.
Like everyone else, Adele has been through hardship, including a divorce from her husband, which left her feeling vulnerable. “Neither of us did anything wrong. Neither of us hurt each other or anything like that. It just wasn’t right for me anymore. I didn’t want to end up like a lot of other people I knew. I wasn’t miserable, but I would have been miserable had I not put myself first,” she said when asked who was to blame for the end of her marriage. When asked how she got through it, she mentioned having up to five therapy sessions per day and described her work as her “safe place.”
Adele’s Music Breaking the Stigma of Depression
Adele is notoriously private, but the few times she discussed her mental health battles, it helped destigmatize depression and other mood disorders such as anxiety. Her songs are full of powerful lyrics discussing themes of love, loss, sadness and resilience. Adele’s mental illness is only one part of who she is as a person, and she’s shown that even in the face of adversity, people can improve their lives. As an artist, she became a beloved and relatable figure, and her openness about depression likely helped fans feel less alone in their own struggles.
It’s no coincidence that so many fans find Adele’s music relatable. The lyrics describe sad life events, such as losing a loved one and getting older, that everyone goes through. Her music, combined with her powerful vocals, can bring a sense of peace and make the listener feel they’re being understood. For example, in the hit song “Rolling in the Deep,” the lyrics “a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out of the dark” could directly refer to healing from a depressive episode.
Each of the singer-songwriter’s albums was titled after the age she was when writing her songs. Her most recent album, 30, includes the singer’s most brutally honest discussion of her divorce and how it affected her mental health.
The Cathartic Effect of Melancholic Music
Listening to sad music, such as any one of Adele’s ballads, may seem counterintuitive for people living with depression. However, research suggests that this type of music can actually help alleviate some symptoms and even bring comfort to depressed individuals. Adele’s music may offer listeners a safe space to express and fully engage with their feelings, which can cause them to relax and feel better afterward. Depressed individuals don’t necessarily seek out melancholic music to feel even worse; instead, these types of songs can actually improve their mood.
As an artist, Adele brought comfort and hope to her fans. And her openness about mental health and personal struggle served to decrease the stigma surrounding depression, anxiety and other types of mood disorders.
You’re not alone in your battle with depression. Here at FHE Health, we understand how debilitating the condition can be, and our team members are available 24/7 for compassionate and judgment-free care. Contact us today and start the journey towards a happier you.
