15 Costumes of Characters People With Anxiety and Depression Connect With

Halloween is right around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking of costume ideas. If you are wondering what to dress up as — and feel like putting a relatable, mental health spin on your costume — look no further. We asked members of our Mighty community who live with anxiety and depression to share what fictional characters they find relatable, and put together a costume guide with their favorite characters (and some of our own) in mind.

We know Halloween can be an expensive time, so for those of you who are on a tight budget, have no fear! In addition to costumes you can buy, we’ve included some DIY costume/makeup tutorial videos so you can either get crafty or complete your look with thrift store finds or things you already have at home.

1. Wonder Woman

“I nearly cried when I watched ‘Wonder Woman’ in theaters… That is how it feels in my body when I am brave. Like I am taking control of a force that should be much stronger than I am, but it is not. Not when I do not let it be. It is hard to be brave, especially when my greatest enemy is the one that lives in my head, but it is worth it. I can be Wonder Woman. I believe anyone can be Wonder Woman.” — Bridget S.

2. Eeyore from “Winnie the Pooh”

“It feels like there’s a constant rain cloud following me like it follows Eeyore sometimes. Eeyore also just kinda goes with the flow/doesn’t care which a lot like how I am. Eeyore also has a lot of friends and around him but still seems to feel alone which is very similar to how I often feel.” — Jenna L.

3. Buffy from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

“Buffy the Vampire slayer… I know it may sound strange but because her parents were divorced (so were mine) and she had to be there for her mom and because even though she was a part of the crowd she also stood apart from it and had to cope with monsters other people did not believe existed. Also she had to become independent and resourceful because people were depending on her.” — Candace R.

4. Bojack from “Bojack Horseman”

“Bojack Horseman” fans celebratee when it was brought back for a fifth season. If you want to dress up as Bojack, check out Carbon Costume’s guide for making the costume yourself.

 

5. Frankenstein’s Monster from “Frankenstein”

“My favorite novel is ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley and it’s because [I relate] to Frankenstein’s monster. People tend to take that the wrong way, I don’t think I’m a monster, but when you realize how excluded from life he felt, watching everyone around him ‘living’ and having no idea how that felt or how to even get there — it’s [like] watching these people [who] are the same as you, yet so different and having no idea how to fill that gap. The feeling of never being good enough, always misunderstood, only ever wanting to love, be loved, be included and be yourself, but having no idea where to begin.” — Emma Q.

6. Sadness from “Inside Out”

A beloved character from the movie “Inside Out,” Sadness is a great (and easy) costume idea. In addition to a wig, some blue face paint and fake glasses, all you really need is a bulky turtleneck sweater!

7. Harley Quinn from “Suicide Squad”

“Give me Harley Quinn from ‘Suicide Squad.’ She went ‘crazy’ for the man she loves, but for me it’s more about her spirit. She fights for everything she has and for the love of the Joker. She’s unapologetically herself at all times and doesn’t make any excuses for anything. You either love her or you don’t. She’s my spirit woman.” — Doni P.

8. Squidward from “SpongeBob SquarePants”

“Honestly I relate to Squidward [from] ‘SpongeBob.’ He’s like me because I don’t want to be bothered, and I don’t like being around people. I just like being alone and with myself. I’m not crabby, but I don’t like talking. I prefer to be the outsider.” — Victoria F.

Pinterest user Kristina Halford made this costume for her daughter and shared how she made it: “Beanie, gloves and sweatshirt from Walmart. Pants from Target. Already had brown shirt. Eyes made from old yellow shirt, sewn on. Pieces of glove underneath to raise them. The rest is sharpie.”

9. Harry Potter from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

“Harry Potter. The way he reacts to the Dementors, more extreme than those around him, not only correlates to my depression, but also the extremeness of my emotions. But his desire to fight their effects at all costs correlates to my desire to fight my depression and other illnesses, mental and physical.” — Tina A.

10. Piglet from “Winnie the Pooh”

“Piglet! He’s so frantic about everything, and everyone around him loves him no matter what he does. His friends soothe him and help him, and everything works out in the end.” — Kimberly E.

11. Daria Morgendorffer from “Daria”

“She saw through the bullsh*t most adults couldn’t. She was ahead of everyone even her own parents. However, being the most aware and smart person in the room is a lonely place. She helped me know that my sarcasm and negativity was OK.” — Jennifer D.

12. Frodo Baggins from “Lord of the Rings”

“He has to carry a very heavy burden and face the challenges that come with it. Despite this, Frodo just keeps going and he has to place his trust in others in order to succeed — something I really struggle with. Luckily, he has Sam with him every step of the way. I identify with this as well. My husband’s name is Sam and he really is the Samwise to my Frodo. He helps me carry my anxiety and doesn’t abandon me on a cliff when he thinks I’ve eaten all the Lembas bread.” — Ellen G.

13. Fear from “Inside Out”

“He’s disproportionally panicked about everything and always assumes the worst. I relate to his unintentionally spastic demeanor. Fear is meant to be protective. But for people with clinical anxiety, life feels frantic as though Fear perpetually takes control of the whole brain.” — Lisa M.

14. Megara from “Hercules”

“Sarcasm is her main language, she procrastinates, she has just one best friend, nobody understands her and she has a cynical world view. I relate to her on every level.” — Megan H.

15. Elsa from “Frozen”

“She was always petrified she’d do something wrong, and I personally interpret her running away and fighting with Anna as panic attacks. When I’m really in a bad place, I’ll braid my hair and wear a tiara around my house to remind me to ‘let it go.’” — Emily F.

What are you going to be for Halloween?