The psychiatrist’s words stopped Hanna Pakarinen – 2024-04-19 11:02:48

Hanna Pakarinen knew something was wrong, she wasn’t feeling well, the palpitations worried her, Hanna had panic attacks and mysterious allergy attacks. Hanna blamed herself, maybe there was too much work, maybe she didn’t know how to say no.

But Hanna knew how to seek treatment, and after half a year of searching, Hanna found a therapist, who helped her find a psychiatrist. The year was 2022 at the time.

Hanna Pakarinen turns 43 on the day her book is published. UNDER LIESIMAA

Hanna did not feel that she was depressed, so the psychiatrist’s words were surprising, even revolutionary. Hanna thought she had burn out, it had happened before.

But the psychiatrist’s diagnosis was clear: in addition to burnout, Hanna has depression and a traumatic stress disorder that resulted from a manipulative relationship in her youth.

– It was quite shocking to hear the psychiatrist’s words. I imagined that I just had burn out, too much work and I didn’t feel depressed, it was a bit hidden. The background was a long-standing hyperactivity. In general, depression is a difficult term, it is different for different people, Hanna tells Iltalehte.

Hanna started therapy and got the right medication for her. They helped.

– We got the seratonin levels right, life became easier and it was easier to breathe.

Hanna is still in therapy.

– I wouldn’t have been able to get the book done without therapy. Everyone in this field should be in therapy.

Hanna talks about therapy and depression directly, because she doesn’t want mental health problems to be taboo, as they once were.

– Even though therapy and medication helped, a person is never ready, but I’m really far, I’m feeling normal, Hanna smiles.

He talks openly about depression, his teenage relationship, and therapy in his new book Life is funny – Hanna Pakarinen (Johnny Kniga).

Fans with children at concerts

Hanna’s career got off to a flying start when she won Finland’s first Idols in 2004. Hanna became known to the whole nation as Hanna and she still has fans who have been fans of Hanna since her Idols win.

– And now they come to my gigs with their own children.

So Hanna won Idols, came second Jani Wickholm and thirdly Antti tuiskuwho announced last summer that he was ending his career as a musician.

Hanna bounces up in her chair when asked if, like Tuisku, she could end her career altogether.

– Why would I stop? I sing as long as I can. Singing is so me. Hanna Pakarinen as a performer and singer is not a character, it’s me, Hanna says emphatically.

To Tuisku, Wickholm and to the one who also did well in the race Sonja to Nurmela Hanna keeps in touch from time to time, but not regularly.

Hanna has managed to do a lot in her 20-year career. Hanna has done radio, performed in Eurovision, worked as a voice actress and entertained people in various television programs.

– Now I’m at a good stage in my career. I have made it clear to myself that I can do what I want. I want to do Carola gigs, I want to sing rock in bars, I want to sing with a symphony orchestra. Fortunately, I have a catalog, I have such a long career behind me.

When asked about Hanna’s life, the answer comes quickly.

– Yes, my best moment is now. I feel good. I’ll be 43 on April 17, and I’ve been waiting all my life to get older, because then you know more about things. Now I feel good. But maybe at this stage you have to calibrate life, that what you enjoy is what you will do for the rest of your life.

New music and possibly gigs in the fall are on the horizon.

– I plan a lot and ideas come all the time. My dream might be that now I will become a shoemaker, then I will go to work for the Women’s Union and change the world.

Hanna is a solid supporter of equality and one could imagine being involved in the organization’s activities.

– I’m not starting out as a politician, you have to slur your speech. I would rather be an organization figure and a lobbyist, because I can sell sand to the Sahara, Hanna laughs.

Life laughs – Hanna Pakarinen (Anu Räsänen, Hanna Pakarinen – Johnny Kniga) will be published on 17.4.