Depression often makes us turn to our most comforting habits — whether that means watching Golden Girls while snuggled up on the couch, or completing a satisfying page in an intricate coloring book, or taking an inordinately large number of bubble baths.
For Twitter user Sally Burns, her comfort blanket during a recent bout of depression was the Harry Potter series. Burns tweeted about battling her depression and thanked author J.K. Rowling for penning the magical series.
Dragging myself through another bout of severe #depression and re-reading the #HarryPotter series to strengthen my Patronus. A million thanks to @jk_rowling for the magical escape that’s always there when it’s needed ❤
— Sally Burns (@joosylemon) March 19, 2018
Rowling responded to the tweet with a lovely sentiment, reminding Burns that she, too, has been pulled out of the throes of depression by Harry Potter characters.
Those stories saved their author, too. Nothing makes me happier than to think that they went out into the world to do the same for other people. Keep that Patronus powerful ✨ https://t.co/d9ByD4WtCo
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 19, 2018
Fans were delighted by the response, and used the opportunity to share their own stories of how the Harry Potter universe offered emotional support and healing during troubled times.
I could not have said it better myself JK.✨
— Gilderoy Lockhart✨ (@MagicalLockhart) March 19, 2018
My daughter read the entire collection while undergoing chemotherapy. Their healing powers are very real! ❤ pic.twitter.com/8ifzMeqNPQ
— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) March 19, 2018
My patronus has been a bit small recently, but my constant reminder is keeping me going. Thank you for this story, it makes me happier than anything else ? pic.twitter.com/xMMZyRK2ab
— immy (@_itsimmy) March 19, 2018
I am a psychologist who works with teens. I regularly use analogies from your books to explain depression (dementors) and anxiety (boggarts) and how to fight them. Thank you for such amazing tools!
— Darcy Cantin (@DarcyCantin) March 19, 2018
But, Rowling isn’t so narcissistic as to believe that the Harry Potter series is the only set of books to be helpful to a depressed soul, and she revealed that she regularly finds comfort in other inspiring books during times of duress.
I grew up with your stories and they’ve always helped me through tough times, but besides the stories of your own making, I can’t help but to wonder which ones you turned to when going through a tough time yourself.
— Sara (@skummelhummel) March 19, 2018
To tell you the truth, when I’m really stressed or overwhelmed I turn to biographies of people who’ve led turbulent lives. I find it soothing and inspiring to read about people who’ve endured and overcome. https://t.co/oGDFHH5dzG
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 19, 2018
As per usual, J.K. Rowling excels in offering words of comfort. (It’s like she’s an excellent writer or something??)