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Back in 2016 I created 31 different dark art interpretations of mental illness disorders for Inktober (that were featured on Bored Panda), in order to start an unconventional conversation.

In the past 2 years, mental health has become more openly talked about, but many people suffering from mental illnesses are still considered "crazy" or "mental". And as long as the stigma remains, I'll keep creating artwork to continue that conversation.

More info: Instagram

#1

Anxiety Disorder

Illustration of anxiety disorder depicting a distorted figure in a sketchbook, highlighting mental illness stigma.

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Hendra Lim
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A mental health disorder characterised by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities.

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    #2

    Generalized Depression

    Illustration of mental illness depicting generalized depression through a haunting figure.

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    #3

    ADHD

    Illustration of mental disorders, depicting Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder with a figure holding a book.

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    Ronan Watson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an adult with ADD and a kid very much with ADHD it can be a very hard thing to manage. Medication helps but with it comes a need to be very organized and structured because if you aren't your world falls apart. I remember playing baseball as a child and if a butterfly flew past the game was over for me.

    NoYFB
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have ADD and without my meds I'm pretty much tied to bed. The fatigue is just huge. I'm constantly overthinking stuff and that's what makes me tired. That and using my energy trying to focus. Long conversations are difficult without meds too. My mind wanders and often I'm there but still not there if you know what I mean. I'm not stupid but because I haven't been listening, I have no idea what others have said and probably seem a bit "slow" at times. I might also start talking about... let's say paintings and soon realize I've been talking about scissors and have no idea how I got to that subject. My inner world is awesome, rich and interesting and I'm creative and have a weird and twisted sense of humor. Because of that I would probably not even give my ADD away if someone suddenly found a miracle "cure" for it.

    Hyper-fixated-Panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I sympathize with this. I hope you feel validated and supported by the internet today

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    Tony Moon
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As someone who was diagnosed late in life with ADHD, with a son and a daughter who was diagnosed with ADHD, and who's mother more than likely suffered ADHD/ADD I can tell you that it is a mixed bag of insanely annoying issues. I could not keep a job until after I started taking the medications, and learning how to organize. I could always learn anything I wanted to know so very quickly, but it meant I didn't have a deep understanding of anything because nothing could keep my attention. I could sound so very informed about anything (and still can) initially, but I could not get deeply into the subjects because I had no more than a rudimentary understanding of anything. Thankfully today I am finishing my Ph.D., my mother received her Ph.D., and my children are able to do much better. I do not agree with the over medication of our children and over prescription of ADHD meds, but in some cases, its very much needed.

    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i need some explanation of all of this disorder. i don't know most of this disorder means. it looks cool though

    A Ghost
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see that Nugget and Flisey have answered but as someone who has ADD I thought I could chime in! My ADD manifests in the sense that I can physically not work on something. My brain just shuts down and I just can't do it. It feels like my thoughts are being weighed down in some way. I do understand how people who don't have this can see it as silly. When I take my medication I even think that about myself. I also have a difficult time remembering basic information like names and locations as my brain doesn't really care. It's kind of like a strainer in my mind. But the strainer has holes that are so big that a lot of information just falls away. On the other hand, when I am focused I'm able to efficiently work for a period of time around 1-2 hours (This is without meds). There are a lot of misconceptions about ADD and ADHD, mostly that we just don't want to work. Anyways I hope you have a grand day!

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    Emily Reid
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my brother has this and im pretty sure I have ADD as I have a very short attention span unless it's for something I actually care about, I get distracted easily and I normally start to daydream every 5 seconds...

    drfox
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have ADHD this is awesome

    Garrett Howard
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i have adhd and i can tell you this can not be more true

    Garrett Howard
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i have adhd and this very accurate

    Henry Schultz
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very well done. For anyone confused, I’ve always described it as trying to count a bunch of coins as people are shouting numbers all around you. Then they get upset when you can do it and tell you it’s simple and wonder why you can’t even count right. But nobody else ca. hear the numbers being shouted (the distractions that almost everyone with ADHD faces) so it just comes off as you’re dumb and can’t do simple counting (simple tasks that are easy but impossible for us to stay focused on).

    Autumn Caudill
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was diagnosed as an adult and I take adderall on a daily basis. I’ve been on it for about 6-7 years. I will most likely have to take it for the majority of my life.

    Olivia Lenyk
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm looking through these comments and can relate to almost EVERYTHING y'all are saying about your ADHD, my dad had ADD and it may even be hereditary on his side but I've researched, taken tests/checklists online (i know they're false and I'm not self diagnosing, I'm just adding i have gotten severe ADHD on pretty much every single one), and I have many many many of these symptoms. I can't go get testes/diagnosed though because my dad thinks im overreacting and my mom thinks im overreacting/want drugs. yay me.

    Andrew Kennebeck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is almost exactly what it's like for me. everything just keeps me from staying off task no matter how hard I actually TRY to keep on doing what I'm supposed to be doing. An example for me is when I was playing soccer. I ended up snapping my attention to a few grasshoppers, lost focus on the game and the person trying to snatch the ball from me, and we collided. It's just hard to focus on anything, even with medications to help.

    Giovanna Flores
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was diagnosed with adhd at a young age and now with all this covid-19 stuff my mom can't take me to the doctor to get my prescription now I've been having the worst time in school and can't remember much and always in my own world it's hard and now with all this my anxiety has gotten worse to the point where I'm biting and peeling my lips till they bleed it's hard with all this stuff going on not just for me, for everyone.

    Billie Atkins
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very distracting disorder, but it can be cool, at times. (creativity and stuff)

    Boba•bear
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this looks to be homest more like ADD

    Tallulah Benton
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow this explains ADHD perfectly for me. At 13 it’s very hard to live with.

    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If your child can read this they more than likely have ADHD. I can read this SURPRISE!!! My son has ADHD

    Beth Snyder
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AD/HD is not a mental illness; it's a neurological condition

    Chairs R Awesome
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its a bit of both. https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/add-adhd/is-adhd-a-mental-illness

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    Minnow White
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have ADHD and it is not that bad 😄

    Tony Moon
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Remember that everyone has a different outlook on their own diagnosis. When I was in the Marine Corps, ADHD actually helped me. But when I started working in the civilian world I was suddenly unable to keep a job because I was completely unfocused.

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    Monika Soffronow
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml

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    #4

    Panic Disorder

    Illustration depicting panic disorder, with a figure clutching their head in distress, highlighting mental illness stigma.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by reoccurring unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that may include palpitations, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, numbness, or a feeling that something terrible is going to happen.

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    #5

    Social Anxiety Disorder

    Illustration of social anxiety disorder, depicting a figure surrounded by eyes, conveying mental illness stigma.

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    -
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It does feel like this. Like everything and everyone is watching you, ready to laugh at you when you fail.

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    #6

    Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder

    Illustration of mental illness, depicting a figure associated with nonsuicidal self-injury disorder, to combat stigma.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nonsuicidal self-injury disorder is a mental disorder that refers to the deliberate destruction of the surface of ones own body without suicidal intent. These behaviors include cutting, burning, scraping skin, hitting, and biting oneself and are primarily inflicted to cause bleeding, bruising, or pain.

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    #7

    OCD

    Illustration of obsessive-compulsive disorder in a notebook, featuring a creature drawing patterns, highlighting mental illness stigma.

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    Randy Dhuyvetter
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone who thinks being neat and organized means they have OCD, have never seen anyone who actually suffers from it.

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    #8

    Bipolar Disorder

    Illustration of mental illness depicts a skeletal figure labeled "Bipolar Disorder I" on sketchbook with pens nearby.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.

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    #9

    Antisocial Personality Disorder

    Illustration of Antisocial Personality Disorder depicting a dark figure in a sketchbook, fighting stigma around mental illness.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    since i'm bored anyway,.. A mental health disorder characterised by disregard for other people.

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    #10

    Schizophrenia Disorder

    Illustration of mental illness showing a distorted figure with words representing schizophrenia disorder.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel and behave clearly. Schizophrenia is characterised by thoughts or experiences that seem out of touch with reality, disorganised speech or behaviour and decreased participation in daily activities. Difficulty with concentration and memory may also be present.

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    #11

    Borderline Personality Disorder

    Illustration of Borderline Personality Disorder in a sketchbook with pens, highlighting mental illness stigma.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A mental disorder characterised by unstable moods, behaviour and relationships. Symptoms include emotional instability, feelings of worthlessness, insecurity, impulsivity and impaired social relationships.

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    #12

    Intermittent Explosive Disorder

    Illustration of Intermittent Explosive Disorder, depicting a figure with a cloud-like head and expressive hands.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Intermittent explosive disorder (sometimes abbreviated as IED) is a behavioral disorder characterized by explosive outbursts of anger and violence, often to the point of rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand (e.g., impulsive screaming triggered by relatively inconsequential events)

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    #13

    Dependent Personality Disorder

    Illustrated depiction of Dependent Personality Disorder in a sketchbook, highlighting mental illness stigma reduction.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is an anxious personality disorder characterized by an inability to be alone. People with DPD develop symptoms of anxiety when they're not around others. They rely on other people for comfort, reassurance, advice, and support.

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    #14

    Pica Disorder

    Illustration depicting Pica Disorder for mental illness awareness and fighting stigma.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pica is most common in people with developmental disabilities, like autism and intellectual disabilities, and in children between the ages of 2 and 3. ... People with pica frequently crave and eat nonfood items such as: dirt

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    #15

    Depersonalization Disorder

    Illustration of depersonalization disorder, depicting a surreal creature with elongated limbs, aiming to fight mental illness stigma.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depersonalization disorder is marked by periods of feeling disconnected or detached from one's body and thoughts (depersonalization). The disorder is sometimes described as feeling like you are observing yourself from outside your body or like being in a dream. However, people with this disorder do not lose contact with reality; they realize that things are not as they appear. An episode of depersonalization can last anywhere from a few minutes to (rarely) many years.

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    #16

    Avoidant Personality Disorder

    Illustration depicting Avoidant Personality Disorder to combat stigma associated with mental illness.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A disorder characterised by social discomfort and avoidance of interpersonal contact. Someone who has avoidant personality disorder avoids intimate and social contact with others. People with this condition may be extremely shy, fear ridicule and be overly concerned with looking foolish.

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    #17

    Body Dysmorphia Disorder

    Illustration depicting body dysmorphia disorder, featuring a distorted, reflective figure with emphasized body image issues.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A mental illness involving obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance. The flaw may be minor or imagined. But the person may spend hours a day trying to fix it. The person may try many cosmetic procedures or exercise to excess. People with this disorder may frequently examine their appearance in a mirror, constantly compare their appearance with that of others and avoid social situations or photos.

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    #18

    Dissociative Identity Disorder

    Illustration depicting dissociative identity disorder, expressing mental illness and challenging stigma through art.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dissociative identity disorder, previously called multiple personality disorder, is usually a reaction to trauma as a way to help a person avoid bad memories. Dissociative identity disorder is characterised by the presence of two or more distinct personality identities. Each may have a unique name, personal history and characteristics.

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    #19

    Delirium Disorder

    Illustration depicting Delirium Disorder, highlighting mental illness stigma with abstract, surreal figures.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Delirium is a condition of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function. Delirium in itself is not a disease, but rather a cluster of symptoms that may result from a disease or other clinical process. Shorter in duration than dementia, it is often the result of treatable physical or mental illness. Underlying causes should be investigated. Delirium can be a side effect of some medications. Delirium is also referred to as "acute confusional state" or "acute brain syndrome."

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    #20

    Dermatillomania

    Illustration of mental illness depicting a distorted figure representing dermatillomania.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Excoriation Disorder (Skin Picking or Dermatillomania),... i think it's a disorder about picking own skin or other people skin. (i don't know if it's a dead skin or healthy living skin tissue, it'll be scary if it's the latter)

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    #21

    Stockholm Syndrome

    Illustration of Stockholm Syndrome, depicting mental illness themes in a haunting, abstract style.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    feelings of trust or affection felt in certain cases of kidnapping or hostage-taking by a victim toward a captor

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    #22

    Cotard's Delusion

    Illustration depicting Cotard's Delusion, a representation of mental illness to combat stigma.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cotard delusion is a rare mental illness in which the affected person holds the delusional belief that they are already dead, do not exist, are putrefying, or have lost their blood or internal organs.

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    #23

    Separation Anxiety Disorder

    Illustration depicting separation anxiety disorder, visualizing mental illness to combat stigma.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A disorder in which a child becomes excessively anxious when separated from parents. Separation anxiety differs from normal clinginess. Children with the disorder can't think about anything but the present fear of separation. They may have nightmares or regular physical complaints. They may be reluctant to go to school or other places.

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    #24

    Substance Abuse Disorder

    Illustration depicting substance a***e disorder, featuring a figure in distress.

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    Hendra Lim
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    looks like it's about alcoholic and using any kind of substance that induce intoxicated state with no good purpose

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