Geeks logo

'Supernatural' Convention Experience

How Going to a Convention Helped Me with My Depression and Panic Disorder

By lexie millerPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
1

I know how silly it must be for me to be writing about this, but I thought that it would be a good idea to share how going to a Supernatural convention helped me with my mental health. Imagine watching a TV show for 13 years and then finally meeting the cast of that show. You would be pretty excited wouldn't you? Well for me, the convention did just that. I have been dealing with depression and a very bad panic disorder for the last couple years now. And when I heard about the conventions, I thought why not try it out to see if I'll like it. Never was I expecting the actors to be so sweet, welcoming, understanding, funny, and very random. A huge thank you goes to Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Richard Speight Jr., Rob Benedict, Rachel Miner, Misha Collins, and everyone else at the convention that I met that weekend. Because of them, I felt like I belonged somewhere for once. Which is rare for me. Jared managed to calm me down when I had a panic attack meeting him, and Misha spoke to me to calm me down while I was getting his autograph. Laughing was the only way that I could seem to avoid the reality of what was actually going on. But Misha didn't care at all that I was laughing and making a huge embarrassment of myself. He just smiled and just spoke to me like it was the most normal thing he has ever seen and I really appreciated that he did that. No, that wasn't sarcasm. It was honesty. Richard and Rob made me promise them to have fun and to enjoy my weekend. And when I first met them I panicked, so they hugged me to calm me down. To anyone who doesn't even watch the show that is reading this, give it a chance. The actors are so involved with their fans at these conventions. Going to that convention in DC was the best idea I've ever had. Many places I go to, I don't feel welcomed or loved like I did when I was at that convention. I felt like the world didn't hate me for once. I plan on going to more conventions because I have yet to find another place that I felt that feeling and I need to feel it again. And even to those cast members I haven't met yet but I will be meeting soon at another convention, I've been talking to them through social media. Like David Haydn Jones and Jason Manns. I just wish people could understand why fans love Supernatural so much. The actors will treat you like family no matter what. Post-con depression is also a real thing. The fans get so attached to everyone that when the convention ends, they feel sad. I cried on the last day of the convention because I didn't want it to end. Now my sister, step-dad, and I will be going to more of these conventions since we had so much fun in D.C. On the way to the convention hotel, we saw the Washington monument and the Pentagon. The convention we're going to in September is a few minutes from New York. We will probably go sightseeing again. Photo ops with the actors allows you to get close to them for a few quick seconds and then you have to leave. It happens quite literally in the blink of an eye. During autographs you can actually talk to them. That goes by slower than photo ops. Think about it.

conventions
1

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.