Last year, Erika Norwich came in 20th place on Spotify’s top list with the song “Til lillebror”.
Now her new song is out, called “Erlig”. It is dedicated to her boyfriend who has supported her through all the ups and downs:
– He’s been with me since 2020, and poor guy… We’ve had hell, but we’ve also had a lot of fun together. Today we are just having a good time, and only argue about politics, she tells Good morning Norway with a laugh.
Now the artist and TikToker opens up about the most difficult times – where one time ended with a violent conviction.
Long awaited investigation
In 2018, the 23-year-old traveled to Liverpool to study music, but ended his stay there after a short time.
– I was a little too young to know what I wanted to do in life, and whether I wanted to study at all. In addition, I struggled a lot mentally and it was clear that I needed to go back home.
Despite an educational year, she does not regret the choice to return to Norway.
After she returned home, Norwich was investigated for something that should have been discovered much earlier.
The Trondheim artist was investigated for ADHD and emotional unstable personality disorder (borderline).
She is open about this on Tiktok.
– Borderline means different things depending on who has it. The common features are difficulties in regulating emotions and you can struggle to understand why you feel the way you do, states the 23-year-old.
In addition, she talks about strong and intense feelings that come when you are not aware of it yourself. People with the diagnosis can struggle to understand who they are.
– It has not been easy either for me or for those around me. There are many problems with relationships, such as conflicts with every boss I’ve ever had.
NEW SINGLE: Erika Norwich’s new song is dedicated to her boyfriend. Photo: Camilla Blok / Good morning Norway
She talks about family, friends and boyfriend who have struggled to understand why she has reacted the way she has in situations.
– I have never understood why it has been like this, and why I have been so different.
Previously, she has described herself as “a demanding monster”.
– I have reacted and done things that I regret, because I have lost control in the moment. I end up feeling very guilty right after.
Norwich shares candidly about the vicious circle that made her feel like a monster.
– Many others may also have seen me as a monster, because they don’t understand why I act like that all the time.
As Norwich tells this, tears well up in her eyes and she continues:
– Then it helps to have someone who sees me. Like now. I can’t control myself at all and the tears just keep coming, she explains.
Trial and sentence of violence
In 2021, Norwich was out on the town and did something she has since regretted.
– I was often in town during that period and that night I got into a conflict with a boy.
Rather than leaving the situation, she lost control:
– In the end I beat him. It was in a public place and I was reported. There was a trial and I was convicted for it.
After this, she was sent to an anger management course. She was quickly sent home, when they realized it wasn’t anger she was struggling with. She had problems with vulnerability, which is typical of the Borderline diagnosis.
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– During that period, I understood myself what was needed for me to get help. I realized that I had to stop drinking alcohol as it is a big trigger and I had to get rid of certain people in my life.
After starting therapy, she has learned to control her emotions.
– I wouldn’t say that emotions are negative or positive, but I have learned to control the negative that came out of it. Now I no longer get to the point where I am triggered so strongly that I lose control.
She has served the sentence she received in 2021, and she has received help through therapy.
– It is difficult to take the step of asking for help, when what is happening only affects you. If you bother to get help, it’s only yourself that matters.
She still struggles to control her vulnerability and feels a lot of guilt. Nevertheless, she is open and honest about her diagnoses and feelings through her music and on TikTok.
– I have thought for a long time that I want to talk about it. This is a part of life that I have struggled with a lot, but that I have now moved on from. It’s really good to just get it out. I still find it difficult not to cry, but I don’t want to be a role model for children, without them knowing everything, she concludes.
