If your depression were a physical creature, what would it be?

[aidjm]

I started thinking about this a few weeks back, and I wanted to get some other people's insights. I've done a bit of writing just for something to do, and I was thinking about writing a story about a person whose depression manifests itself as a physical being.

For me, I kind of pictured it as a big black lizard-thing that sits on my shoulders and digs in with its claws, and doesn't want to let go.

What about you guys?

[Sea-n-sky]

Hi Jo3,.

That's great Jo.

Seems to me you may no longer be depressed.

Wonderwoman - well I'm sure there are times when you are. Acknowledging that to yourself is absolutely o.k.

As for the beautiful coloured striped fish - that's wonderful - I suggest in your case that depression may be a thing you've got over.

Here's hoping I'm right.

Sea-n-sky

[Jo3]

Hi Sea-n-sky

I'm not sure that my depression has gone. But being a coloured fish, to me, means being free, being able to go wherever you want; I don't know.

Thanks for your comments, I really do hope that my depression is slowly but surely lifting.

Have a nice day

Jo

[Bluedaze]

A huge multicolored psychedelic elephant marching to psychedelic "doof doof" music.

The crowd gathers, whoa this animal is so cool, how could it be harmful?

Then it stops, squats to take a crap, & it craps & it CRAPS! and it just doesn't stop.

Suddenly your in a sea of grey goop, too late to run, no where to hide, it covers and devours everything and everyone in a dark evil sea of  misery and despair.

As the colors of the elephant fade and fall away, you realize it was cheap rapping paper covering a Trojan horse sent by the devil.  He laughs from beneath like the jogger from Batman.

You are meant to laugh

You are meant to cry

What ever it is .. RELEASE the misery.

[Sea-n-sky]

Hi Jo3,

Yes I feel sure your depression is lifting.

Once it has done that, you will find that if it returns, it's easier to identify, easier to come to terms with, and easier to overcome. It just gets easier and easier each time. The first time is the worst - that's what I found.

Success breeds success.

When, and if, it returns, recognise it for what it is, then brush it aside. You've done it once, so therefore can you do it again.

Be free, go where you want, and do what you want.

Just be that beautiful coloured fish , and be free.

Good luck.

Sea-n-sky.  

[Jo3]

Hi Sea-n-sky

Even though the past week has been good I am "scared" that I will not stay like this.  Tonight feels like my striped fish is swimming in the sea and has been pushed further down the sea. I am trying to find an easy way out to get to the top of the water again.  Stress and worry is not helping my little fish - she needs an escape route; a way to find the calm water again.

I want to be free from all my stressors; I want to feel calm and peaceful but at the moment, right now I am not free or calm,

So what do I do? Find another way to escape in the sea

Jo

[Sea-n-sky]

Hi Jo3

Ok thanks for continuing to post.

You say you've had a good week, which is fantastic.

You also say that you are "scared" that it will not last, and the depression will return.

O.K. - understood.

BUT it seems to me that at this moment you are suffering from anxiety. The anxiety that the depression will return.

O.K. understood.

BUT - What if it doesn't ?

It possibly, indeed probably will, at which point you will recognise it immediately, and with the benefit of your previous experience with it, will be able to cope with it much more easily than the first time around - providing you want to of course.

You have already had one good week, one week of success, so it should follow that you will have more and more of them, and in the fullness of time, all weeks will be good weeks.

However keep in mind, that if all weeks and /or days become good days, then it will only be a matter of time before you have no bad days to compare the good days with. Life may then become something of a bore.

Having some ups and downs, is not all bad thing - it keeps things in perspective.

Don't be so anxious about the potential for the depression or black dog returning.

Wait for it to happen, and tell yourself now, in no uncertain terms, what you will do with it / to it, when it does, and if it does.

Do not be frightened by it. Just like any dog, it will sense fear. Be strong, stare it down - don't flinch. That'll confuse it, and it will likely retreat, (or possibly just sit there looking at you, bewildered.)

If you can do that in such a way, that avoids being cruel to it, you may find "blackdog" becomes your friend.  Entirely In Keeping With, your beautiful coloured fish.

Harm it, on the other hand, and it might just bite you - but that's understandable don't you think ?

If you should choose to  "kick it" then just do it gently, at first. It might interpret such an act as just play, and respond accordingly. You'll have to make that judgement for yourself.

It worked for me, so I see no reason it shouldn't work for you.

It took many years before I discovered the secret. There was no B.B. in those days, so I had no guidance at all. I had to work it out for myself - and that took a very long time.

I hope it works for you, as well as it did for me.

Believe that it will, - and likely you will find that it will.

Best Wishes,

Sea-n-sky

[Chloekat84]

I think i would be a sloth as they look sad all the time and sleep  and lie around all day which is what i would doif i was really depressed.

[44lions]

Termites.

They are inside me, slowly eroding my sense of self and my hope. When dormant, life is good. When hungry or breeding, I am overwhelmed. One day, they may topple me or cause me to collapse inwardly.

[CMF]

It's not a creature anymore. It's a big wave. All my tears have become a big wave that has engulfed me and I'm drowning. 

[Nekomata-chan]

For me it'd be a massive anaconda. Just wrapping around my body, squeezing me and biting me. Suffocating me.