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)
Thank you, Nick Seluk, for talking to Bored Panda about your awesome project!
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Share on FacebookAnxiety 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.
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...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.
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...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.
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...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
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...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.
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.
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.
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
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.
A beautiful pictorial of Dep & Anx which people cannot simply "get over" the way other's recover from a cold. Some people seem to bounce out of bed every day. Imagine waking up having an andiron or anvil strapped to your side. Self- talk does little and mostly it isn't friendly. Caring and a little compassion for what you cannot understand goes a long way to helping those of us with this debilitating disorder. As others here have stated, vacations are days when feeling light and happy is enough, no travel to tropical beaches needed.
I have that too and everyone makes fun of me and don't get why I can't be at school some days when I can't force myself out of bed
Wonderful job. Your words and the illustrations sum up exactly what anxiety & depression can do. I hope the vacations last days for you. I'm naturally outgoing when in public that I feel like a fraud when my anxiety takes my breathing away & depression lulls me to sleep for days. Just bc it's not showing on the outside doesn't mean you don't struggle internally. Wonderful post.
Love , love , love this! Hopefully people will understand it a little better as there are pictures lol xox
Yes this is a good description - these sneaky anxiety and depression characters can disguise themselves as " being realistic" so they can bully you for longer and make you forget how it even felt to be ok. I find it helps me to keep them at bay if I tell them to shut the f*** up when they are putting their negative ideas into my head and harping on about every little mistake I make.
I would like to thank you (bored panda) for this. You have no idea what this has done for me.... My friends & fam hopefully will have to
That's exactly what it feels like! Thank you for this strip. Depression and anxiety needs more to be accepted as the illness it is.
A most humorous way to describe these debilitating symptoms. Ingenious !
In deep depression my mind held an image of darkness.It was death.I wore it as a hooded cloak.It was welcoming.I wanted to relax into it.
Finally, someone that understands what I struggle with everyday! There are days that I feel perfectly fine and I even forget that I suffer from depression. Then BAM! It hits me like a ton of bricks, makes it physically painful just getting out of bed.
It felt like it was written about me :) i take all sorts of pills for depression and anxiety but still strugle on daily basis. taking those medsfor over 6/7 years now.
Terrific comic.I am bipolar 2 , I get depression regularly.You nailed how I feel.I can laugh only when depression has holidays.
This is really nice. I love illustrations like these. I contemplated showing it to my mum,but then i realized it won't change anything. No matter what i do or say she won't change or understand. I think she'll only truly care when i take my life. My family is so toxic. But i have to hang on a few more years before i can finally leave. I just hope i last that long.
Wow... this perfectly explains what I go through. I have had some really rough days where if people were to shave my head bald, I wouldn't have cared or done anything about it.
This sums up depression and anxiety (for me) perfectly. Thank you so much.
It's especially hard if you have deadlines and university projects and you end up doing none of that because you feell that you will have a freaking heart attack.
Hi Mardell, paroxitine and sodium valproate a mood stabiliser.I don't work,focus on raising 2 boys and if I get agitated I have Xanax rarely
This is sooo right! I wish I could summon all the terror, anxiety, depression etc. I ever have had in my entire youth, just form it into a single being, and kill that being horribly.... because that is how much I literally HATE that I have wasted so much of my time, where I could have been a far stronger, happier and constructive person...
I have OCD for more than 20 years.My demons come and go whenever they like. Their vacation is always very short. My family is very understanding but I can see my husband's frustration sometimes and then I get angry. My children just cant understand my fears.I am terrified of the inevidable. DEATH. Every little pain anywhere in my body causes panic attacks. You can imagine what a hell I am living in.Meds help until I see a spot on my body or my stomach hurts.... This goes on and on... Sometimes i want to die to make this fear of death stop...I cant go the doctor but keep driving myself crazy with the fear that something could be wrong with my health.I hate myself.
Even when they are on vacation it's like they never are because I prepare/take precautions so that when it comes back it doesn't hit hard
Какие забавные и милые иллюстрации такой гадости как ДЕПРЕСУХА! Я валяюсь! СПАСИБО автору!!!
This book perfectly describes the problem and how to solve it. Recommended! http://www.amazon.com/Alkuajatus-Original-Thought-Hannu/dp/9522865303/
Thank you for this. I was hospitalized for a few days (9) for my depression and anxiety. On top of it, I was punished by those people I should have been able to lean on. I was told I had really effed up my life by my mom and my in laws started withdrawing their help as soon as I got out. They would do things for the kids, but not me (my husband is deceased ). Given I was pregnant at the time and puking, this was the exact opposite of what was needed. I am on two different meds, and have a sleeping aid for those restless brain nights, they make a huge difference! But still, there are days when facing the world is just too much.
WHY ARE WE AT ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THE AFFECT ON THE PEOPLE AROUND US? THEY SHOULD BE MUCH MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE AFFECT THEY HAVE ON US!! AND IT IS OUR JOB TO TELL THEM ALL ABOUT IT!! NOTHING CAN CHANGE WHEN WE ARE ALL HIDING!!!! I AM YELLING OUT LOUD!!! IT IS WONDERFULLY HEALING!! I DON'T CARE WHO HATES ME FOR IT! I AM EMPOWERING MYSELF, I AM SO FAR BEHIND THE REST OF YOU THAT YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO NOT LOOK BACK IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M SAYING! BUT IF YOU ARE READY TO COMMAND YOUR OWN LIFE AND HEALING WITH FAITH AND COMPASSION, THEN YOU NEED TO START SOME OUT LOUD INTENDING TOO!
My 21 year old sister says she suffers from this. She also gets very cranky and angry and moody often. I dont know what is going on with her, but it started happening when she saw (for the first and only time) her guy friend go into convulsions because he suffers from something he had in his brain from birth. After seeing that, she became a different person and i dont know what it is. She's gets scared to even eat meat or slightly unhealthy things she keeps asking me if she will die because she eats it. Nobody really helps either she's been to the doctor and the psychologist and everything.
Fear of something that isnt on the Now... and... believing that , your mind(false-self, ego) is yourself in totality ... those things makes a human being its own enemy, and all your intelligence is used against you. giving motives to fear what we cannot control, and making it morally wrong to accept life itself. try eckhart tolle's teachings, or osho if you are brave and tired of being down
Excellent depiction of these problems. Author might want to see doctor about getting better balance on drugs.
because no one can see what's really going on in other peoples heads and its not happening suffered most of my adult life people say they understand ,some of the time maybe
Chinese medicine helps. I had bipolarity and I tried it when I was 19. I thought Chinese medicine was an old fashioned supersitition for 19 straight years but I was wrong. However, a trsuted Chinese doctor and good quality herbal medicine are essential. I mostly only go to governmental or university's Chinese clinic.
Chinese medicine helps. I had bipolarity and I tried it when I was 19. I thought Chinese medicine was an old fashioned supersitition for 19 straight years but I was wrong. However, a trsuted Chinese doctor and good quality herbal medicine are essential. I mostly only go to governmental or university's Chinese clinic.
you don't have to fight against them, but make friends with them! also, check out PRI (Past Reality Integration), it's maybe the only technique that really worked for me
these things might help but thing is i learned about these techniques and outlooks and implemented them, they made me the brightest version of myself i could have imagined, it was amazing, then somebody came along and trampled on my confidence so much without me noticing while it was happening so i got pushed even further back than i was before and even with all the knowledge and understanding about these kinds of techniques, im still destroyed. I still have the vulnerability to be destroyed. How can we protect ourselves indefinately? i guess i might try again, but coupled with my resolution to be very vigilent against who has power over me, and about maintaining my boundaries and thought processes
Load More Replies...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.
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...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.
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...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.
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...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
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...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.
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.
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.
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
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.
A beautiful pictorial of Dep & Anx which people cannot simply "get over" the way other's recover from a cold. Some people seem to bounce out of bed every day. Imagine waking up having an andiron or anvil strapped to your side. Self- talk does little and mostly it isn't friendly. Caring and a little compassion for what you cannot understand goes a long way to helping those of us with this debilitating disorder. As others here have stated, vacations are days when feeling light and happy is enough, no travel to tropical beaches needed.
I have that too and everyone makes fun of me and don't get why I can't be at school some days when I can't force myself out of bed
Wonderful job. Your words and the illustrations sum up exactly what anxiety & depression can do. I hope the vacations last days for you. I'm naturally outgoing when in public that I feel like a fraud when my anxiety takes my breathing away & depression lulls me to sleep for days. Just bc it's not showing on the outside doesn't mean you don't struggle internally. Wonderful post.
Love , love , love this! Hopefully people will understand it a little better as there are pictures lol xox
Yes this is a good description - these sneaky anxiety and depression characters can disguise themselves as " being realistic" so they can bully you for longer and make you forget how it even felt to be ok. I find it helps me to keep them at bay if I tell them to shut the f*** up when they are putting their negative ideas into my head and harping on about every little mistake I make.
I would like to thank you (bored panda) for this. You have no idea what this has done for me.... My friends & fam hopefully will have to
That's exactly what it feels like! Thank you for this strip. Depression and anxiety needs more to be accepted as the illness it is.
A most humorous way to describe these debilitating symptoms. Ingenious !
In deep depression my mind held an image of darkness.It was death.I wore it as a hooded cloak.It was welcoming.I wanted to relax into it.
Finally, someone that understands what I struggle with everyday! There are days that I feel perfectly fine and I even forget that I suffer from depression. Then BAM! It hits me like a ton of bricks, makes it physically painful just getting out of bed.
It felt like it was written about me :) i take all sorts of pills for depression and anxiety but still strugle on daily basis. taking those medsfor over 6/7 years now.
Terrific comic.I am bipolar 2 , I get depression regularly.You nailed how I feel.I can laugh only when depression has holidays.
This is really nice. I love illustrations like these. I contemplated showing it to my mum,but then i realized it won't change anything. No matter what i do or say she won't change or understand. I think she'll only truly care when i take my life. My family is so toxic. But i have to hang on a few more years before i can finally leave. I just hope i last that long.
Wow... this perfectly explains what I go through. I have had some really rough days where if people were to shave my head bald, I wouldn't have cared or done anything about it.
This sums up depression and anxiety (for me) perfectly. Thank you so much.
It's especially hard if you have deadlines and university projects and you end up doing none of that because you feell that you will have a freaking heart attack.
Hi Mardell, paroxitine and sodium valproate a mood stabiliser.I don't work,focus on raising 2 boys and if I get agitated I have Xanax rarely
This is sooo right! I wish I could summon all the terror, anxiety, depression etc. I ever have had in my entire youth, just form it into a single being, and kill that being horribly.... because that is how much I literally HATE that I have wasted so much of my time, where I could have been a far stronger, happier and constructive person...
I have OCD for more than 20 years.My demons come and go whenever they like. Their vacation is always very short. My family is very understanding but I can see my husband's frustration sometimes and then I get angry. My children just cant understand my fears.I am terrified of the inevidable. DEATH. Every little pain anywhere in my body causes panic attacks. You can imagine what a hell I am living in.Meds help until I see a spot on my body or my stomach hurts.... This goes on and on... Sometimes i want to die to make this fear of death stop...I cant go the doctor but keep driving myself crazy with the fear that something could be wrong with my health.I hate myself.
Even when they are on vacation it's like they never are because I prepare/take precautions so that when it comes back it doesn't hit hard
Какие забавные и милые иллюстрации такой гадости как ДЕПРЕСУХА! Я валяюсь! СПАСИБО автору!!!
This book perfectly describes the problem and how to solve it. Recommended! http://www.amazon.com/Alkuajatus-Original-Thought-Hannu/dp/9522865303/
Thank you for this. I was hospitalized for a few days (9) for my depression and anxiety. On top of it, I was punished by those people I should have been able to lean on. I was told I had really effed up my life by my mom and my in laws started withdrawing their help as soon as I got out. They would do things for the kids, but not me (my husband is deceased ). Given I was pregnant at the time and puking, this was the exact opposite of what was needed. I am on two different meds, and have a sleeping aid for those restless brain nights, they make a huge difference! But still, there are days when facing the world is just too much.
WHY ARE WE AT ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THE AFFECT ON THE PEOPLE AROUND US? THEY SHOULD BE MUCH MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE AFFECT THEY HAVE ON US!! AND IT IS OUR JOB TO TELL THEM ALL ABOUT IT!! NOTHING CAN CHANGE WHEN WE ARE ALL HIDING!!!! I AM YELLING OUT LOUD!!! IT IS WONDERFULLY HEALING!! I DON'T CARE WHO HATES ME FOR IT! I AM EMPOWERING MYSELF, I AM SO FAR BEHIND THE REST OF YOU THAT YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO NOT LOOK BACK IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M SAYING! BUT IF YOU ARE READY TO COMMAND YOUR OWN LIFE AND HEALING WITH FAITH AND COMPASSION, THEN YOU NEED TO START SOME OUT LOUD INTENDING TOO!
My 21 year old sister says she suffers from this. She also gets very cranky and angry and moody often. I dont know what is going on with her, but it started happening when she saw (for the first and only time) her guy friend go into convulsions because he suffers from something he had in his brain from birth. After seeing that, she became a different person and i dont know what it is. She's gets scared to even eat meat or slightly unhealthy things she keeps asking me if she will die because she eats it. Nobody really helps either she's been to the doctor and the psychologist and everything.
Fear of something that isnt on the Now... and... believing that , your mind(false-self, ego) is yourself in totality ... those things makes a human being its own enemy, and all your intelligence is used against you. giving motives to fear what we cannot control, and making it morally wrong to accept life itself. try eckhart tolle's teachings, or osho if you are brave and tired of being down
Excellent depiction of these problems. Author might want to see doctor about getting better balance on drugs.
because no one can see what's really going on in other peoples heads and its not happening suffered most of my adult life people say they understand ,some of the time maybe
Chinese medicine helps. I had bipolarity and I tried it when I was 19. I thought Chinese medicine was an old fashioned supersitition for 19 straight years but I was wrong. However, a trsuted Chinese doctor and good quality herbal medicine are essential. I mostly only go to governmental or university's Chinese clinic.
Chinese medicine helps. I had bipolarity and I tried it when I was 19. I thought Chinese medicine was an old fashioned supersitition for 19 straight years but I was wrong. However, a trsuted Chinese doctor and good quality herbal medicine are essential. I mostly only go to governmental or university's Chinese clinic.
you don't have to fight against them, but make friends with them! also, check out PRI (Past Reality Integration), it's maybe the only technique that really worked for me
these things might help but thing is i learned about these techniques and outlooks and implemented them, they made me the brightest version of myself i could have imagined, it was amazing, then somebody came along and trampled on my confidence so much without me noticing while it was happening so i got pushed even further back than i was before and even with all the knowledge and understanding about these kinds of techniques, im still destroyed. I still have the vulnerability to be destroyed. How can we protect ourselves indefinately? i guess i might try again, but coupled with my resolution to be very vigilent against who has power over me, and about maintaining my boundaries and thought processes
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