Currently, there’s a significant conversation surrounding the film “Eighth Grade,” and the buzz is well-deserved. This movie brilliantly encapsulates the awkwardness of middle school like no other film has before. Created by 27-year-old comedian Danny Hargrove, it centers on a 13-year-old girl grappling with anxiety—an experience many find difficult to comprehend, even though they’ve once been that age.
Audiences are curious about how Hargrove managed to portray this struggle so accurately, leading them to regard him as some sort of prodigy who has unlocked the complexities of the teenage mind. However, the truth is that his deep understanding comes not from insight into adolescence but from a profound grasp of anxiety itself. Hargrove elaborates, stating, “Anxiety often selects individuals who prefer to be withdrawn. It feels like riding a bull that is your nervous system, and while you’re fighting to hold on, everyone else appears to be effortlessly in control.”
He further explains, “Anxious individuals, including myself, may find it difficult to accept that our experiences are shared. There’s a temptation to believe that our struggles set us apart, making us unique. However, we must let go of that notion, as it leads to a dark place.”
Having dealt with anxiety and depression since my teenage years, I vividly recall the panic attacks that began at 18 and have persisted into my 30s. One of the biggest hurdles was acknowledging that my struggles were real and not merely figments of my imagination. It wasn’t until I confronted this reality that I sought help and began learning to manage my condition.
Despite countless therapy sessions and medication, I often found myself too absorbed in my own battle to recognize that many others were navigating similar challenges. I never articulated my struggles as clearly as Hargrove did, and that was a revelation.
For me, anxiety typically strikes when I’m alone, especially during the quiet hours of night when the darkness amplifies my fears. In those moments, I isolate myself from others, consumed by the chaos within. When I eventually opened up about my anxiety in my early twenties, I was often dismissed. People told me to simply “get over it” or suggested that I just needed some fresh air, as if my feelings were trivial.
Reflecting on those experiences, I realize how isolating anxiety can be. While society often labels those with depression and anxiety as reclusive, the truth is we feel misunderstood. It seems the world views our struggles as unique burdens, leading us to retreat further into ourselves.
What many of us fail to recognize is the number of people around us grappling with similar challenges. In acknowledging this shared experience, we can forge connections that deepen our understanding of one another. Hargrove achieved this in “Eighth Grade,” channeling his own anxiety into a portrayal of a character who, on the surface, is vastly different from him—a 13-year-old girl.
This raises an intriguing question: how can we transform our anxiety into something as impactful as a screenplay? While that’s not something I can answer, the prospect of using my experiences to empathize with others gives me hope. Realizing that my anxiety can serve as a bridge of understanding rather than a wall of isolation is a significant comfort. For anyone facing similar struggles, this realization might just be the most valuable gift of all.
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Summary
Anxiety is a common struggle that can feel isolating, yet understanding that others share similar experiences can foster connection and empathy. Using personal experiences to relate to others, as demonstrated in “Eighth Grade,” can provide hope and insight for those dealing with anxiety.
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