How Ana Marie Cox and Twitter ‘Outed’ Mental Illness With #InHonorOfCarrie

Thanks to writer Ana Marie Cox, the hashtag #InHonorOfCarrie has become a haven for sufferers of mental illness.

As news broke Tuesday of the death of “Star Wars” heroine Carrie Fisher, Cox tweeted that the star had inspired her to be more open about her own struggles with bipolar disorder.

“I’m pretty open about being in recovery; I’ve been more circumspect about mental illness,” wrote Cox, who writes for The New York Times and is a correspondent for MTV News.

Also Read: Peter Mayhew's Amazing Behind-the-Scenes Archive of Carrie Fisher on 'Star Wars' Set (Photos)

“In honor of Carrie Fisher: I’m bipolar, too,” Cox (pictured) added.

I’m pretty open about being in recovery; I’ve been more circumspect about mental illness. In honor of Carrie Fisher: I’m bipolar, too.

– Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) December 27, 2016

Fisher was open about her struggles with substance abuse and mental illness, using them as material for her second career as a successful writer. In a newspaper column published just weeks before she died, Fisher wrote that people with bipolar disorder were “given a challenging illness, and there is no other option than to meet those challenges.”

Also Read: 11 of Carrie Fisher's Most Outrageous, Profound and Hilarious Quotes (Photos)

After Cox published her tweet, Twitter users began adding their own testimonials, in effect outing themselves as long-silent sufferers of mental illness. Julie DiCaro, a sports radio anchor in Chicago, suggested the hashtag #InHonorOfCarrie.

A sampling of the reaction:

@JulieDiCaro #InHonorOfCarrie suffered severe depression & anxiety. didn’t seek help until it was almost too late. Seek help. It’s worth it

– Sung Min Kim (@sung_minkim) December 27, 2016

.@JulieDiCaro I was diagnosed w/depression the year I turned 30 (a total cliche, I know). Still here 16 years later. #InHonorofCarrie

– Sara Wilcox (@sawilcox28) December 27, 2016

All of the best & brightest ppl I know have grappled w mental health issues in one way or another #EndStigma #InHonorOfCarrie

– Sara Marie (@Ms_SaraMarie) December 28, 2016

#InHonorOfCarrie I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder on 1/3/07. It was a relief to finally find out what I had been battling for years.

– Stacey ⚘ Gotsulias (@StaceGots) December 27, 2016

I’ve struggled w/anxiety my entire life. It was a relief to be finally diagnosed & treated in my 30s. #InHonorOfCarrie

– (((MissysaurusRex))) (@missykaybm) December 27, 2016

This is one of those hashtags that everyone needs to go read. And support. #InHonorOfCarrie https://t.co/oUx9rJDon7

– Neil Oosten (@SayHiNeil) December 27, 2016

Related stories from TheWrap:

13 Carrie Fisher TV and Movie Writing Credits You May Not Know (Photos)

Watch Carrie Fisher’s Secret Cameo in ‘Hook’ (Video)

Mark Hamill Posts Facebook Tribute to ‘Beloved Space-Twin’ Carrie Fisher

Source: the wrap feed