Mara Wilson on Anxiety, OCD, and Depression

This is a video from Mara Wilson (@MaraWritesStuff), a New York-based writer, performer, storyteller, and the host of the monthly show “What Are You Afraid Of?". Mara talks about her struggles with OCD and depression, as well as her experience on "What Are You Afraid Of?".
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Project UROK is an initiative of the Child Mind Institute founded in 2014 by Jenny Jaffe. Our mission is to create funny, meaningful videos for teenagers struggling with mental health issues, made by people who have been there before. In doing so, we will provide not only practical assistance, but also a sense of belonging, a sense of comfort, and a sense of hope.
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[@brandienicole7638]

"I wish I had fought my depression, and not fought my anxiety as much." Thank you.

[@Belushi87]

its the people who don't have anxiety that tell you that its not that big of a deal. to be honest, you try and wake up everyday and get so anxious that you don't want to get out of bed.

[@JanuaryLovesSelena]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

[@kamissadiarra5074]

exactly

[@KidsWithGuns1992]

If I could live without anxiety life would be easy. It’s like EVERYTHING is a struggle and fight with anxiety. Seeing a psychologist changed my life, but I’m currently not financial enough to continue, and I need the help. It’s very VERY tiring feeing like you’re starting at the beginning again after so long of working on getting better. People who don’t have anxiety are incredibly lucky and privileged. Anxiety is like constantly putting effort into the smallest of tasks all the time. You are constantly exhausted because of it. You do get so much better with a psychologist, your anxiety can go completely. But man it takes work and going backwards fucking sucks. I’m just so tired

[@Cordy712]

Mara is one of the best humans.

[@hersheychocolate2004]

she grown into a pretty lady glad she's doing better.

[@christianmoraojeda7947]

is ok Mara, you are part of our childhood, and we love how you are, we are with you.

[@oceanusun]

shes so real

[@Manu-gp3rq]

Regrettably She is just a robot.

[@ProjectUROK]

Happy to say Mara is a very real, loving human. #UROK

[@oceanusun]

ahahahaha!

[@oceanusun]

I hope!!! : S Im tired of the holographic projections

[@haulsbyhana1760]

Im just here becuase I was rewatching matilda

[@toria97love]

looool me 2

[@braselton94]

Me three

[@friedchicken1]

me five :D

[@ABruhMan]

Me six

[@travelingplay2957]

Me seven

[@kimmolinazuniga]

I'm 18 and Matilda still my favorite movie..Stay strong Mara :)

[@matildamemes8504]

Truly is a gem of a movie.

[@georginadrake4050]

I wasn't expecting this to be so helpful. I thought it was going to be another awareness thing (which isn't really helpful to sufferers who know what they're suffering from) but instead she said & showed ways to actually deal with the problem. The point about not fighting the fear is the best known way to help improve it so I was very pleasantly surprised & impressed with this video ☺️ Great job Mara! 😊

[@ProjectUROK]

So happy you found it so helpful

[@Hahahahaaahaahaa]

So well put. As another wise individual once wrote: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain" Also, I am so sorry your cousin is Ben.

[@right..5651]

Who was that wise individual 🤔

[@danfriesen2212]

Isn't openness refreshing? ! I have lived 25 years since my bipolar diagnosis. I share my story of living in recovery in conferences and schools. People appreciate honesty, vulnerability, and a non- clinical life story. NORMAL is big enough to include YOU and ME!

[@imakeadifference2011]

It's weird how by just changing your breathing pattern you can actually feel better

[@ProjectUROK]

imakeadifference2011 Science, are we right?

[@Taradise85]

imakeadifference2011 I do it all the time

[@junehasrised5104]

Firefly watch yourself

[@lidaaletap2646]

@@junehasrised5104 Over there stragglers

[@stillhere7193]

Jogging will help

[@LisaLehuaTaylorMusic]

Wow. To find out that Mara Wilson, from one of my favorite movies ever (Matilda) deals with O.C.D and depression, is amazing. I'm very open about my life with the same issues because the stigma that comes with them needs to end. Thank you SO much for sharing your story. I know it will help others!

[@not.supermario]

The breathing exercise works 100%. I feel totally relaxed before I take an SAT or any test, or if I'm mad, it totally works.

[@yorokobisweet6310]

It's Matilda OML- and the fact that she's been through all this sh*t with feeling anxious, depressed, and having OCD, suddenly makes me feel not so alone.

[@catalina.sarmiento]

It was amazing to hear you both on the radio today (Colombia). I absolutely love what you are doing. Mental health is a priority not a topic to avoid. Keep the good work up!

[@twistedgiggity7369]

Mara is an amazing human being this will help a lot when I wake up every morning I wake up having an anxiety attack every morning

[@CCTVWorldWideUK]

Thanks for the helpful tips Mara; they really do help in anyone's everyday life. And also big shout outs to Project UROK; you're doing a great thing in your channel and I hope more people realize (should they suffer from anxiety, depression etc) that they are not alone in this. :)

[@ProjectUROK]

CCTV Studios Thank you!

[@caitparker3114]

She's probably my favourite role model I'm kind of glad she went through this to because she's amazing and has clearly tried to get through it so well I'm glad im not the only one

[@scottstanley1640]

I found out about this last year and it actually soothes me from all the bad anxiety’s I’ve dealt with

[@Alejaccx]

OMG! I was just thinking to myself "Oh, GREAT! I have a panic attack once again" and I was totally getting tired of this of all of this and then I saw this video and now I'm SO Gratetful to know that such a beautiful actress like Mara Wilson that played one of the most significant characters of my childhood has the same problem than me is just Incredible, I mean, I just can't realize this is real. Wow.

[@ProjectUROK]

+Alejandra CC So glad this helps!

[@Alejaccx]

Project UROK A L O T !! You don't have idea, :) thanks about it!

[@heridacristina]

I think that to know that famous people have the same dark issues that we commom people had to deal with every day is something i never really expected to see. The way they break down the child's life- cause they got into the Hollywood famous world to have fun but then it became something out of their control cause the people who get close to them always want them to do something and that's kinda depressing.- and like, well, as a person that have faced anxiety and depression for a very long time to see that i'm not alone on this journey it's a relief. Believe in yourselfs and that you're gonna make it. My mind is keeping on a hope that i'll overcome the fear and i will overcome my anxiety and depression. Thanky you Mara for being so strong and share your story with us!

[@ProjectUROK]

We're so glad you found this video helpful. We believe in you! You are so strong!

[@heridacristina]

@@ProjectUROK thank you so much! 😊

[@ProjectUROK]

@@heridacristina You are very welcome!

[@bobbq8380]

LOVE Mara. Her coming out with past issues encouraging

[@jforozco12]

wow she's a beauty

[@alpur214]

I've watched three different videos on Mara Wilson and she just amazes me. I've suffered from depression for quite awhile, and this video is the first thing I've seen that's actually been helpful. But I've enjoyed the movies she was in as a kid, and she has blossomed into an incredibly intelligent and very attractive young woman. I could listen to her speak for hours.

[@StarlitSwamp]

Respect to her for daring to speak out about these very personal issues. I've suffered from depression in the past and from anxiety for most of my life as well, and they aren't an easy subject to talk about due to common misconceptions about mental health and the fear that people might judge you wrongly. I must say also that in all the videos I've seen of her, Mara seems to me like a smart person with insightful opinions, but also with a refreshing simplicity and I really like that about her. Here in particular, she appears very natural, keeping the focus of the video on its helpful purpose. Very appreciated.

[@whimsicalester2018]

Thank you to Mara Wilson for making this, I was having bad anxiety this morning and this really helped me calm down a lot.

[@orianadiaz2742]

Thank you, Mara! What an inspiring video.

[@jggamusic]

thanks Mara!! thanks project UROK

[@SalmonMage]

I have a lot of respect for her. And that breathing exercise is really helpful.

[@comradesandwich9437]

I love you so much, thank you.

[@EmilyFox]

I love this. I have never been able to find a way to breathe that helps my anxiety, but this kind of does. I'm sure it will take practice but I will definitely keep trying it. It's especially helpful coming from my childhood hero, knowing that she has gained strength and wants to share it. Thanks, Mara!

[@LoretoLala]

Thank you for sharing this video! A month and a half ago I had my first Panic Attack and now i´m learning how to deal with that. I am so excited to learn about this breathing exercise and also to know I am not alone in this. Thank you and greetings from Chile!

[@springlifecbdwater1865]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[@mansitopinta]

Thank you so much. I have dealt with anxiety my whole life, it sucks. To me, it lead me to being a chain smoker. About 2 packs a day for about 3 years. I quit cold turkey 5 months ago, but the anxiety is still there and it doesnt go away. This excercise helped, thank you.

[@dublin7]

I’m so so impressed by the person she has become, she was a fantastic child actress who stared in movies that shaped my childhood but I’m even more impressed with the woman she has become, her talking about her struggles can help so many and I’m glad how candid she is and I’m definitely going to read her book.

[@ProjectUROK]

We're so glad you liked this video!

[@acmesuperglue3082]

This helped a lot, thanks Mara and UROK.

[@aidab.9596]

mara, you are awesome, thanks for sharing that with us, it makes us feel like we are not alone, and this is not so uncommon.

[@ashleyzeleznik5388]

Helped me as a kid and now helped me as an adult

[@JoaoPcamarg0]

omg she is GORGEOUS

[@h29452]

Mara Wilson is such an inspiration to me. In so many ways. :)

[@ProjectUROK]

We're so glad that you found this inspiring!

[@hinamajeed]

Wow, that really works, thank you

[@therealtruthhurtsz]

Amazing and Proud to see that she has Grown Into such and Beautiful,Intelligent,Grounded,Well-Spoken women. Your amazing Mara. I too suffer from OCD,ANXIETY,AND DEPRESSION.

[@l.tc.5032]

I don't have OCD but I do have bad anxiety and struggled with depression so this is a great message.

[@lpsemilygirl1847]

I have OCD too I'm currently taking medication slowly getting cured but the horrible thoughts are still there but I'm taking counseling to cope with the frightening images.

[@ProjectUROK]

We're really glad to hear that you are taking care of your mental health! Recovery is a process don't feel bad if you are still struggling. You are not alone and you are OK!

[@lpsemilygirl1847]

Project UROK thank u very much

[@gramelnanin]

So helpful! I'll add it to my others relaxation exercises.

[@elUniversodeIngrid]

Thank you!

[@crystinamarie1]

Thanks Mara. I suffer from generalized anxiety and I will give this a try.

[@LivLearnsLife]

This was actually incredibly helpful, thank you. :) Also, Mara is an absolute babe for helping other people through her experiences.

[@ProjectUROK]

Liv Learns Life :)

[@yogicharley]

Thanks for sharing this. My panic attacks have come back with a vengeance and you speak very eloquently and elegantly on the subject as well as sharing this technique. x

[@ProjectUROK]

yogicharley Hang in there!

[@ednahkarmen]

Loved the exercise! Very helpful! 👍 Mara is a very special and bright young woman ❤💛

[@elUniversodeIngrid]

For me it is hopeful. As for anxiety I have stopped forcing myself to overcome fears, I am even trying to adapt to them. I try to go at my own pace and when it is born of my wanting to overcome a fear, then I take advantage of that inner power to jump. But if something frightens me, I leave it for example, now I am afraid of conventional work, that is why I aspire to have an independent job. Where I can move at my own pace. It bothers me when others tell me that I will not be able or that I have to overcome it or try to press me for my own good. I just want to be left alone. But on the other hand I want to feel happy, I cry a lot, a lot, I have everything but I am unhappy. But this particular video wow is so comforting that one is not alone.

[@pureroseangemuse7910]

I’m still anxious but watching u makes me less anxious

[@ProjectUROK]

We're so glad you found this video helpful! It's OK if you still feel anxious, but you are not the only one dealing with anxiety. You are OK even if you still struggle sometimes.

[@nonstop9907]

Just watched Matila after so many years since watching it as a child, I remember a lot of us enjoyed this movie during my childhood, It has to be one of my childhood favourites, I'm now a 25 year old man, I was curious and thought why not look at what ''Matilda'' looks like now, she must be a similar age to me, Its good to see people in their journey of life, it shows she is just like us, but this topic made me sad, when I think about depression, I just get teary eyed, at least this movie from way back made me happy again for an hour, the opening scene puts things in to perspective, but even if I don't have the best life, I guess I have got to enjoy the little things, even if its not perfect, and it sometimes gets me down.

[@ProjectUROK]

Every new day is a reason to keep going.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Wow, this is amazing. I always wondered what happened to this actress- good to see she’s doing well.

[@jaimim3675]

i would have anxiety attacks in the middle of my music lessons- and I play 5 instruments; so messing up as you do when you learn, that induced a LOT of attacks. It took me a year after a really paralyzing one to finally take control of my mind & spirit. i REALLY wish I'd had this then but every now & then I'll have during my university sessions- I'll definitely use this & read more into these methods.

[@io3000gamma]

Thanks Mara! :D

[@rubyh.369]

Thank you Mara Wilson ☺❤

[@ProjectUROK]

So glad you found this helpful!

[@jenniferstewart1106]

A lovely person 💕

[@german3980]

thank you!

[@jensutton7476]

Btw, thanks for the tips Mara 😃. I love you!!! ❤️

[@misakitsukiyoomi2777]

Thanks Mara, my boyfriend suffer from anxiety, this video is helpful! Thanks!!!

[@ProjectUROK]

+MiSaKi TsUkIyÖoMi kAtSuRaGuI So glad it helped! :D

[@marachime]

I had extreme pain every day for about 2 months last year. i tried this breathing exercise after finding it online and immediately, all the pain left. all that pain had been a concoction of my brain, of my anxiety, not real pain. It made me so angry XD. All this time i'd felt weak and wasn't sleeping and it was /me/ in control of it. me doing it to myself. i love this breathing exercise, so thank you for sharing it

[@huesitosdeazucar]

thank you for this, i suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, sometimes I breathe so fast that I almost pass out and it scares me cause it happens to me anywhere. I'll definitely try this out cause I feel like I can't deal with anxiety anymore

[@JuanCarlosCoronelQuevedo]

I have this too. I never have meet another young person with this issue

[@lilykin88]

thanks mara!

[@ProjectUROK]

So glad you found this helpful!

[@JM-qt5mg]

who's here cause you just fished Matilda? #classicmovie .. glad to see she became a real down to earth person

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

MARA WILSON THE BOMB !!!!!

[@itsestefi]

I have done this excersie while on theraphy (anxiety and panic attacks related) and they really really 100% work! I have been feeling less anxious since. I think that if you're suffering from it this tips will help you a little bit. But I recommend you to seek help and good therapist someone who you can think of as your friend :)

[@LiliHartlep]

Idol of my childhood, idol of my adulthood.

[@xxlucii94]

esto hace 2 años que me viene siendo de ayuda posta para dormir la siesta

[@realdeal7074]

I love this, her description "this false alarm in your body" this was a really good video. I prefer her hair lile this ha! I can tell she looksike her younger self I'm this video! It's nice

[@ProjectUROK]

We're glad you found this video helpful!

[@eugeo1234]

Great technique! Is even better when you breath in through your nose.

[@ProjectUROK]

So glad you found this helpful!

[@michaelgill2105]

She's a Guardian Angel 👼 Among Saints like a Godsend to People and Young Kids that she inspires I hope I get the chance to meet her someday

[@Section8dc]

Damn I always liked her, and this gave me so much more respect for her.

[@dashawnmitchell832]

she's the dreamiest

[@jenniferwyatt7481]

First time I was confronted by my own anxiety was just moments before I needed to walk into the church for my cousins wedding. I seriously thought was having a heart attack or something... my heart was beating so fast i could feel it in throat.. then it felt as if someone was closing off the oxygen supply to my nose and mouth... my husband and kids had no idea what was going on - i got out of car and walked as briskly as I could down the block-just exclaiming..." gotta walk this off, gotta walk this off" and the further I walked the better I felt... the worst thing about anxiety or panic attacks .. well, there is no prediction on when & where... Many people know what stressed out feels like.. this is different... and you can do the exact same thing one day and be fine... then another day be in near paralysis ... (Ex. While getting ready to go to a holiday party amongst family & friends, I was standing in my closet looking for something to wear... all of a sudden... suffocation... both hands fell asleep... sweating... and my husband called out to me.. " c'mon.. we're going to be late" .. " you need to just finish up & let's go" You see.. those words are like flipping the switch on the electric chair to someone experiencing a panic attack.. Everyone thinks that you can stop, prevent, or change it... or if not.. take some Xanex... i dont take that stuff... or.. stop drinking caffeine.. or get some psychistric care.. or snap out of it..or work on confidence skills... or... worst case scenario.. they accuse you of being a drug addict...

[@andreamerari3135]

You are not alone and you are ok. :) (Y)

[@bigbakaboon]

I just read her article on cracked which was great. My little niece was a big fan of matilda (She kind of had shitty parents). But i'm glad she turned out to be studious and a storyteller. I'm a fan of NPR and also have board game nights. i'd think we'd get along well.

[@TheLovee4musicc]

I love you mara

[@juliav.3562]

As a child watching “Matilda”, wishing I had the same powers she did, memorizing every line from every scene, the characters’ names and the actors’ names, helped me to get through depression, anxiety, and O. C. D. All the while, never would have guessed she shared my struggle. Now as an adult, I sit here watching Mara as an adult, wishing I had the same ability to understand my irrational emotions, memorizing every step to the breathing exercise she’s teaching us to help us to get through depression, anxiety and O. C. D. This is likely the most fully circular moment of my life.

[@dibujatumundo31]

It's just like one feels, from another perspective it seems easy, but it is not entirely true because you have to face something we can not control.

[@moncklara3702]

Thks :)

[@Levee1234]

Thanks Maltilda

[@Levee1234]

Matilda* lmao u liek malts?

[@jensutton7476]

Wow!!! She's all grown up!!! I'm so used to her as Matilda 😃

[@davidtichborne2912]

I still have the movie Matilda and I still love playing the dvd game of it though although I really don't like the truly terrible test I've been struggling from anxiety depression and ptsd for a long time I was just diagnosed like 3 years ago but I've known about my depression for about 10 years now

[@curtwall7089]

Wish mara wilson was my friend true geniune woman inspiration to many people in same shoes :)

[@alejandrogonzales7658]

love you matilda

[@ClauditaAlarcon]

My husband have OCD and he is in treatment but it's very hard to deal with it all the time not only for him but for the family too

[@markcinque4586]

I Love Trains ! 3:51

[@friedchicken1]

aawwwww you sweetie!! youre still supercute!! :D :) :) I also have those issues after my mom passed, she was not old

[@Gabriel-ju1kg]

Beatifull

[@rickyvalentine6071]

I have high anxiety anger and depression as well

[@sacriptex5870]

i suffer from depression, anxiety, fear, sometimes sadness... welcome you are human

[@agapecreativeswithlove2190]

Mara You are Special In God. I hope You can read this :)

[@GuillermoAmadeus]

Interestingly, the program is called ur ok ?, because that is the greatest issue the fear of being wrong, no one should need the approval of anyone to be. The point is that people with OCD are very sensitive people susceptible to the smallest details, can create multiple future where everything goes wrong, they prefer to stay without going in action, because no action appears response exercise to avoid mistakes but still get the damage and loss for not doing something. Having something that is approved by all is what gives a feeling of peace and quiet, when you do not have a script mind only dedicated to think about everything that can be done, the reality is always the desicion has to take from oneself. If you fight against anxiety and depression means you're defending the ideas that are leading, let them go are not yours, someone beat you and you thought to be true.You dont need to live other person live. Something curious is that people who committed more errors, is asking you more perfection and is never satisfied, but with great sensitivity, the ability to see imperfections is unlimited and the work never stops, hence the anxiety, not having a solid base to rest on the long walk turns into depression. As humans are said to have many imperfections, reality It is that someone created a definition of human perfect and there began the comparison and the dissatisfaction of our perfection, to be something that we're not. Thank´s Mara wilson and UROK.

[@olayaromano2045]

I suffer from a several OCD and I feel so related to her. Just wanna hug her, this disorder is ending up with my life, it's all suffering

[@lgl5701]

How are you now love? I'll pray for you. I tried to kill myself for the third time about 2 years ago and I met a woman who has O.C.D in the psych ward I had to go to. It was a ver dibilitating thing for her. It was the first time I really got a clear understanding of hoe difficult the illness could be.

[@olayaromano2045]

Thank you so much for your wishes, I started to get better this summer but I have a lot of hard come backs. I hope you are feeling better now love, and yes, it's true, OCD is not considered to be as bad as it really is, I don't want this for nobody, not even for my worst enemy...

[@Th3BATWhoWinz83]

She is so beautiful...she doesn't know

[@NAYELYONATHAN]

en verdad agradecería si pudieran ponerlo con subtítulos o traducir en texto.

[@lazuligames8618]

LIEKEIEKELIEKELIELEIE FOR MARA WILSON!!!