Adventures In Depression
Image Copyright Allie Brosh
I am shamelessly stealing the title of today’s post from an amazing blog I have just discovered. Hyperbole and a Half contains the best descriptions of living with depression I have ever read – and the most incredible cartoon drawings to illustrate the experience.
I haven’t wanted to admit (even to myself) that I am going through a down time right now – not full-blown depression, but it’s certainly teetering on the edges. Then I read this today and shared it on my Facebook page:
Depression is very much a ‘hidden’ illness in that we hide the severity of it from others whenever we can. We often don’t allow people to see us on our worst days and downplay just how bad it is. The chances are, we wouldn’t do this if we had a broken leg, but then people often know how to be around someone with a broken leg, what to say, visits/texts of concern, chocolates and flowers….
It’s true that people don’t know what to say, and partly you want to spare them the awkwardness of trying to find the right words, or perhaps you just grow weary of trying to get them to understand. Or, you want to scream listening to those well-meaning platitudes about appreciating life and enjoying the moment.
Copyright Allie Brosh
Thank heavens then for those who do understand the experience and for those talented enough to write, or draw, or sing about it or just express it in whatever creative way they can. It helps to lift the burden of feeling we are alone and that no one understands what we are going through. I am not sure how much this helps you today if you are going through grief, or sadness, or depression, but I wanted to reach out and share these thoughts and especially Allie’s incredible blog. I know that reading it today helped me. I hope it can do the same for you if you need it x
Copyright Allie Brosh
Thank you for writing honestly about your struggles with depression. It is a lonely thing to go through and it is important that we reach out to each other
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These visual images of depression are really great. They speak to me in my own struggles with the “black dog” of despair
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The first image pretty much sums up how I felt waking up this morning 😦
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Brilliant cartoons and they do tell a truth I can relate to as well. It’s so hard to be open about this. Thanks for your openness. Axxx
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Recent research shows that those who face a disruptive event like cancer have an increased risk of depression that can persist for many years. It’s important to recognize the signs and seek treatment early, Never be afraid to talk to your doctor about how you feel.
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Depression is an isolating and lonely place and people are reluctant to talk about it for fear of being stigmatised or just plain misunderstood – which of course adds to the feelings of isolation and loneliness.
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Thank you for posting this Marie. That first cartoon sums up how I’ve been feeling for most of this year. x
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Depression can be crippling and it’s so important to talk about it and get help when needed. Thanks for posting and for sharing about your own struggles, Marie.
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No shame in borrowing from others, Marie. That’s among the beauties of your site. You find what helps you and what you think will help others, and great conversations have evolved from that.
Lots of stigma attached to mental illness – even among those who have it and don’t want to admit it. So the more that we “come out” the better is how I see it. Like has been pointed out here, when people start talking we feel less alone. We realize we aren’t crazy. Or if we are crazy, we see we are not the only loonies. LOL
BTW, on a random note, my subscriber function is up and running again and I’m digging my way outa my piled up workload. So you’ll be hearing from me more. 🙂
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Been trying to leave messages, but they aren’t showing so this is a test 🙂
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We don’t understand mental illness and therefore society is not very tolerant with people that have it. Depression is an illness like any other. Thank you for opening and continuing the conversation!
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As I approach at milestone, my five year anniversary of my BC diagnosis, my feelings of “So there cancer, I’ve made it this far!” are overshadowed by a serious health crisis my husband is facing. I feel fragile and anxious most of the time. I need to be able to say how I am really feeling rather than having to “stuff my emotions” because of the whole thing about being positive. The bottom cartoon expresses exactly how I am feeling today.
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Hi Marie, I am sorry to hear that your emotions are dipping toward depression. I hope whenever it happens, you find your piece of corn under the fridge. (Kinda hope it for myself too.) This is an excellent cartoon – it showed me the depth of depression which I have never reached, though am glad to understand just a little bit more. Allie Brosh is one crazy talented storyteller, and thank goodness for that. ~Catherine
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Marie I think these are great images of depression but I know firsthand depression can be rough. I was told when I finished treatment I would be depressed and I was angry at the doctor that said that, but I was. Then taking tamoxifen really added to my depression. The changing hormones from breast cancer plus all of the deaths from cancer around me really heightened my depression. I never thought that I would take medicine for it and wanted to try a more natural route, but I found a great psychiatrist who prescribed a medication that is really helping me. I guess what I am hoping is that you find whatever avenue works whether its yoga, acupuncture, chi gong, meditation, or medication as well as gorgeous pictures that help you smile.
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Depression is something that has challenged me at various times in my life. It can’t be described to someone who has never faced it. I wish you emerging sunshine.
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Allie’s blog is fabulous; I’m always amazed by how well she can articulate what’s going on for her- literally painting us a picture.
I take an antidepressant- it has made a huge difference to my life. I feel ‘normal’ most of the time, which was an incredible relief!
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Thank you so much for this wonderful post. You have helped many people feel less alone. Sometimes we have to say F-positivity and just feel the hell out of whatever is washing over us today. Sending love. T. Xo
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Oh, Marie, I just ache reading this. It’s wonderful that you found this blog written by a fellow sojourner through this much misunderstood condition, which is just as real as any physical affliction. You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers. xo
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Marie, this is an excellent post. Post-cancer life is great for me in many ways, but I do fall into inexplicable depression. I so understand this post!
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I love that blog too, Marie – and another favourite blog of mine (by an author who has written incredibly powerful pieces about her battles with depression over many years) explores the idea in her last post about how hard it is to ask for help when you’re depressed and how you don’t “get lasagnes” (unlike, as she points out, when you have cancer)….http://breedemandweep.com/blog/2013/7/im-mad-because-i-dont-know-how-to-ask-you-for-a-lasagna
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Marie,
Thank you for your candor. So many people mistake sadness for depression, when they are different. I struggle with depression, too, especially since cancer diagnosis. It’s hard to lift this fog. People don’t understand, and it’s such an invisible condition, but can be very serious. I’m going to check out the blog you just discovered!
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Thank you all for your comments. It is a comfort and strength to know we are not alone in feeling this way – that many others walk this journey.
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Thank you for sharing these, Marie. As a strictly verbal person myself, I’m always impressed by those who can express such deep truths in alternative media. It seems to be a special gift.
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Holy Moley Marie, as a psychologist this is the BEST thing I have ever seen constructed on depression, to explain depression ever. Thank you so much for pointing me with your blog!
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Lauren I KNOW!! It blew me away when I first saw it.
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