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This Comic Perfectly Explains Why Anxiety & Depression Are So Difficult To Fight
Anxiety and depression are two mental health disorders that many of us simply don’t understand. Nick Seluk, the artist behind the popular Awkward Yeti webcomic, partnered with Sarah Flanigan, a reader who submitted her story to him, to explain how dealing with these mental illnesses is a daily struggle. Their collaboration ended up with an explanatory and relatable comic that you’ll find below.
Feeling anxious or depressed at one point or another is absolutely normal, but some of us are living with depression every day. It can be difficult for those who don’t suffer from these chronic disorders to understand those who do, so they can sometimes say some fairly insensitive things; “Why don’t you just get over it?” or “What happened? You were so energetic yesterday.”
“As someone who’s experienced and has been around anxiety and depression, it was easy to do these cartoon drawings in a way that complemented the storyteller’s everyday problems,” Seluk told Bored Panda. “Sometimes, those who haven’t experienced the extremes don’t understand what it’s like, almost to the point of resenting it.”
More info: taptastic.com | theawkwardyeti.com | Twitter | Facebook (h/t: aplus)
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Thank you, Nick Seluk, for talking to Bored Panda about your awesome project!
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What do you think ?
jagbag 10 years ago
Anxiety and depression are hard to explain. Illustrations such as these really show these feeling for what they are. Huge weights that drag people down. Thank you for your effort to get people talking about this issue. I too cringe when my husband tells me there is no reason for me to be sad.
TashaHarris 10 years ago
I hear you, mine is very understanding but sometimes I can see his frustration in his body language.I try not to be so sensitive, it's hard.
Load More Replies...
Rcatheron 10 years ago
It's always a pleasant surprise when they're on vacation. I see beauty and joy all around me. But when they come back, all I see are the overwhelming tasks I'm unable to complete. The more tasks there are, the more paralyzed I become, the more worthless I feel. Meds help, but they're no cure.
R L 7 years ago (edited)
it is when simple tasks feel pointless to do because your dopamine system gets irritated so quickly in this sensory overload society that it feels meaningless afterall. as in, it doesn't feel rewardingso you loose motivation
Load More Replies...
MassielAlberto 10 years ago
The best description. Sometimes, we just don't know what to do. There are good days and bad days, even taking medicine, there will always be bad days. It's relaxing when they take vacation.
TashaHarris 10 years ago
I take meds too , life is so much better on them .Motivation is a struggle for me on or off medication.Hope they are on vacation :)
Load More Replies...
DeniseMourato 10 years ago
Ive had really uneducated comments thrown at me for opening up about my Chronic depression and anxiety which just hangs around the corner. Directly and behind my back. Although I'm not going to bother explaining my point of view or reasoning with the comments, anyone who has cared to educate themselves on the matter would understand how these JUDGEMENTS are not in any way productive but in the long run quite damaging to the recipient. Mum aways said "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything.". Here are some of my all time favourites: -"I recoverd without medication you know, I think you should be able to with a little effort" -"You should just stop focusing on the negativy it makes things so much easier" -"Why would you choose to be sad over happy? Just put some effort in it" -"Pick yourself up" -"You have ton stop feeling sorry about the past. Move on." I would like to know what other hurtful thing have some of you guys had to swallow. Thanks for sharing D
RobertReed 10 years ago
Wow, those are really hurtful! I've heard quite a few of the standards, "Why can't you just be happy?" "You need to just focus on the positive!" But for the most part my family is very understanding about it, as understanding as they can be and not truly get it. Medication has been a lifesaver for me, and I understand that I will never be able to stop taking them (if I want to remain stable!)
Load More Replies...
ColetteWalsh 10 years ago
I love the illustrations, my motivation is lost somewhere. I have washed the same laundry four times and still haven't hung it up to dry. I am so embarrassed about how I have let myself go. I resent the depression and the anxiety. This person is not ME.
LeannaPeiffer 10 years ago
I do talk about my depression and anxiety, and people listen, but I don't think they always understand. Like the cartoon sometimes depression and anxiety do take a vacation, but they always seem to return. I am fed up. Waking up in the morning and wondering how you're going to make it through the day. So many things don't get done and it all piles up. It does make me appreciate the good quite peaceful moments. I just wish I could figure away to get rid of those feelings.
CaroleHeegaard 10 years ago
This is the most honest look at the mental disorders that have plagued me for decades. People that don't have it ,don't get it. I've had to work at life and functioning like a normal human being for so long. I don't remember ever feeling well. I'm doing much better as I accept my condition and increase my knowledge about dealing with this monster. I'm so happy that you have found a creative outlet that will make people understand. Thank you so much for this.
CarmenHollander 10 years ago
The first step for me was to really acknowledge that this is a life long disease..deep down we all wish it would go away...but it comes back...A year ago exactly i was admitted to a clinic > It did not work, but what it did teach me is that i have the power to change my behavior and in doing so, limit "major depressive episodes". With the help of Tamara Cilliers and Dr Kevin Stoloff > They are my "guardian angels" > I have learnt that even though it feels like the world is cracking open as you move into darkness, just literally lift your head up and walk towards sunlight, or whatever soothes you. Emotions can not kill us, they just scare the hell out of us. We can not always control them, but we can find little ways to self soothe... i have a whole kit :) It is out of a space of humility, gratitude and deep understanding that i share my journey with you. I am not ashamed. You are not alone. Please feel free to talk to me on twitter, facebook, email... sharing is caring. Love and Light
MaeOrcales 10 years ago
Thank you for sharing this. I hate it when people say, "Pick yourself up and snap out of it" like it's not a medical issue.
jagbag 10 years ago
Anxiety and depression are hard to explain. Illustrations such as these really show these feeling for what they are. Huge weights that drag people down. Thank you for your effort to get people talking about this issue. I too cringe when my husband tells me there is no reason for me to be sad.
TashaHarris 10 years ago
I hear you, mine is very understanding but sometimes I can see his frustration in his body language.I try not to be so sensitive, it's hard.
Load More Replies... Rcatheron 10 years ago
It's always a pleasant surprise when they're on vacation. I see beauty and joy all around me. But when they come back, all I see are the overwhelming tasks I'm unable to complete. The more tasks there are, the more paralyzed I become, the more worthless I feel. Meds help, but they're no cure.
R L 7 years ago (edited)
it is when simple tasks feel pointless to do because your dopamine system gets irritated so quickly in this sensory overload society that it feels meaningless afterall. as in, it doesn't feel rewardingso you loose motivation
Load More Replies... MassielAlberto 10 years ago
The best description. Sometimes, we just don't know what to do. There are good days and bad days, even taking medicine, there will always be bad days. It's relaxing when they take vacation.
TashaHarris 10 years ago
I take meds too , life is so much better on them .Motivation is a struggle for me on or off medication.Hope they are on vacation :)
Load More Replies... DeniseMourato 10 years ago
Ive had really uneducated comments thrown at me for opening up about my Chronic depression and anxiety which just hangs around the corner. Directly and behind my back. Although I'm not going to bother explaining my point of view or reasoning with the comments, anyone who has cared to educate themselves on the matter would understand how these JUDGEMENTS are not in any way productive but in the long run quite damaging to the recipient. Mum aways said "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything.". Here are some of my all time favourites: -"I recoverd without medication you know, I think you should be able to with a little effort" -"You should just stop focusing on the negativy it makes things so much easier" -"Why would you choose to be sad over happy? Just put some effort in it" -"Pick yourself up" -"You have ton stop feeling sorry about the past. Move on." I would like to know what other hurtful thing have some of you guys had to swallow. Thanks for sharing D
RobertReed 10 years ago
Wow, those are really hurtful! I've heard quite a few of the standards, "Why can't you just be happy?" "You need to just focus on the positive!" But for the most part my family is very understanding about it, as understanding as they can be and not truly get it. Medication has been a lifesaver for me, and I understand that I will never be able to stop taking them (if I want to remain stable!)
Load More Replies... ColetteWalsh 10 years ago
I love the illustrations, my motivation is lost somewhere. I have washed the same laundry four times and still haven't hung it up to dry. I am so embarrassed about how I have let myself go. I resent the depression and the anxiety. This person is not ME.
LeannaPeiffer 10 years ago
I do talk about my depression and anxiety, and people listen, but I don't think they always understand. Like the cartoon sometimes depression and anxiety do take a vacation, but they always seem to return. I am fed up. Waking up in the morning and wondering how you're going to make it through the day. So many things don't get done and it all piles up. It does make me appreciate the good quite peaceful moments. I just wish I could figure away to get rid of those feelings.
CaroleHeegaard 10 years ago
This is the most honest look at the mental disorders that have plagued me for decades. People that don't have it ,don't get it. I've had to work at life and functioning like a normal human being for so long. I don't remember ever feeling well. I'm doing much better as I accept my condition and increase my knowledge about dealing with this monster. I'm so happy that you have found a creative outlet that will make people understand. Thank you so much for this.
CarmenHollander 10 years ago
The first step for me was to really acknowledge that this is a life long disease..deep down we all wish it would go away...but it comes back...A year ago exactly i was admitted to a clinic > It did not work, but what it did teach me is that i have the power to change my behavior and in doing so, limit "major depressive episodes". With the help of Tamara Cilliers and Dr Kevin Stoloff > They are my "guardian angels" > I have learnt that even though it feels like the world is cracking open as you move into darkness, just literally lift your head up and walk towards sunlight, or whatever soothes you. Emotions can not kill us, they just scare the hell out of us. We can not always control them, but we can find little ways to self soothe... i have a whole kit :) It is out of a space of humility, gratitude and deep understanding that i share my journey with you. I am not ashamed. You are not alone. Please feel free to talk to me on twitter, facebook, email... sharing is caring. Love and Light
MaeOrcales 10 years ago
Thank you for sharing this. I hate it when people say, "Pick yourself up and snap out of it" like it's not a medical issue.
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