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How “Harry Potter” Helps Me Deal with My Anxiety

by Stacey Lannigan · July 27, 2021

When listening to the stories of how other fans of the Harry Potter franchise discovered the series, they often tell of how the series changed their lives. Though I can understand this, I cannot relate as I cannot remember life “before” the Potter series to make the comparison. In 1997, when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was published, I was a mere two years of age. After the release of Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001, I became addicted to the wizarding world at six years old, and as a result, my life hasn’t changed, but instead, the franchise has become a stable foundation upon which the rest of my life is built. Having the opportunity to interact with other Potterheads – particularly after joining MuggleNet’s team – I have learned that I’m not the only one who depends on Harry Potter in times of hardship. So I pondered what it was about the series that made it such a vital support system for those of us struggling with our mental health and also discussed it on the Beyond the Veil podcast.

 

Hogwarts Express Glenfinnan Viaduct

 

One of the main aspects of the Harry Potter series and all those connected, such as the Fantastic Beasts franchise, is the setting and plot of the stories themselves. Readers often turn to fiction as a form of escapism, and I know I am one of those who does exactly this. The Potter series allows us to escape our mundane realities alongside the main protagonist’s as he discovers the magical world – with the addition that we readers don’t have to experience the physical threats that Harry does. This is something that I find particularly appealing about the Potter series, and I look forward to my own trip aboard the Hogwarts Express on July 31 – an opportunity that I believe will bring me even closer to the magic of Potter.

 

 

One thing that has always irritated me is when those who have not experienced the wonder of the wizarding world state that their reasoning for not giving the franchise a chance is because it’s not real. As Albus Dumbledore tells Harry in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” (DH 723). However, as I’m sure other fans may agree, while the magical aspects may not be real, the Potter series is based on a foundation of themes that play true to our everyday reality. In Harry Potter, themes such as love, friendship, hatred, life, death, choice, and acceptance are explored, and I found that whilst growing up, the Potter series helped to teach me the values of such life lessons perhaps more successfully than any teacher or parent could. The way that the themes were explored provided me with an understanding of the more important life lessons – an understanding which dimmed my anxieties and fears of the unknown. The themes of friendship and acceptance particularly resonated with me as I had, and sometimes still do, feel like a bit of an outsider, much like one of our most beloved Potter characters: Luna Lovegood.

 

 

Perhaps one of my favorite things about the Harry Potter series is that even within Hogwarts, there are those who are deemed misfits, and something I admire about them is how they simply make the most of their “status.” Characters such as Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna quickly became my fictional friends, and even today, they are a collection of characters I find comfort in turning to during times of distress. The Weasleys became my secondary family, much like how they became a family for Harry in the series, and other characters such as Draco Malfoy, Professor Umbridge, Lord Voldemort, and even the Dementors were similar to those I knew, and so to see the side of good triumphing over them gave me hope and also courage in fighting my own battles against the bullies in my life.

 

Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood

 

With these characters to depend upon, I was able to have many role models within my life. While Harry taught me how to persevere even through the worst of times, Hermione showed me never to be afraid of expressing my intelligence. Even Ron proved that to experience lesser pleasant emotions, such as jealousy and insecurity, toward those closest and cared for was natural. In addition to the golden trio, characters such as Luna taught me the importance of being who you are; Neville showed incredible evolvement throughout the series and showed how you should never be afraid of change; even Draco’s character taught me that what happens in the past doesn’t always have to define your future. All of the characters in the series provided me with some lessons I still hold dear and attempt to live in my life to this day as my battle with anxiety goes on.

 

Caption Contest, week of December 22, 2013

 

As the battle with the Dementors in my mind rages on, one aspect of the franchise helps me beyond measure: the fandom. Throughout many years, my devotion to the series gained many snide remarks and laughter. People often teased me for my vast knowledge of the wizarding world and lack of understanding of my own. However, having joined MuggleNet, I have been allowed to meet and interact with many Potterheads like myself. The kindness and support that has been shown to me by the rest of the MuggleNet team – along with the riveting discussions and debates with them and fellow fans – mean more to me than words could ever express. So I thank you, the team of MuggleNet, and you, the readers, for taking the time to read my story of how the Harry Potter series continues to aid me in my battle against anxiety. Thank you.

 

 

Now that you’ve read my story, don’t forget to let us know down in the comments below how Harry Potter has helped you – whether with mental illness or simply providing you with a beloved story to hold dear.

 

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MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

August 2025

Sat, Aug 30

Educational Decree No. 22 is passed
Recurs yearly

1995

Sun, Aug 31

Hermione and Ron become prefects
Recurs yearly

1995

Hermione purchases Crookshanks
Recurs yearly

1993

September 2025

Mon, Sep 1

Harry and Ron travel to Hogwarts via Ford Anglia
Recurs yearly

1992

Harry's first ride on the Hogwarts Express
Recurs yearly

1991

Hermione receives Time-Turner
Recurs yearly

1993

MuggleNet Live! 2017: Nineteen Years Later
Recurs yearly

2017

Tue, Sep 2

Faux Moody transfigures Draco into a ferret
Recurs yearly

1994

Gregorovitch is murdered by Lord Voldemort
Recurs yearly

1997

Harry gets the Half-Blood Prince's Potions book
Recurs yearly

1996

Trio breaks into the Ministry of Magic and acquires Slytherin's locket
Recurs yearly

1997

Wed, Sep 3

Harry buries Alastor Moody's magical eye
Recurs yearly
Harry's first detention with Professor Umbridge
Recurs yearly
Lockhart lets Cornish pixies loose in class
Recurs yearly

1992

Thu, Sep 4

Ellie Darcey-Alden's birthday
Recurs yearly

Young Lily Evans

Hermione forms SPEW
Recurs yearly

1994

Moody's first DADA lesson
Recurs yearly

1994

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Did You Know

October 31, 1991, is not only the day that Harry, Ron, and Hermione defeated the troll in the girl’s bathroom but is also the 10-year anniversary of the death of Harry’s parents.

Potter History

December 21, 2004 – Just hours after the first preorders were taken, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is already topping the charts.

Potter Quote

“Magic blooms only in rare souls. You came today because of a craving and a knowledge that the old ways serve us no longer.”

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