I had a black dog
The following illustrations come from I HAD A BLACK DOG copyright Matthew Johnstone 2006. Winston Churchill suffered from depression, on and off, throughout his life (yet still led the country through the Second World War). He called his depression a 'Black Dog' that followed him around. The following illustrations come from a brilliant book called I HAD A BLACK DOG written by Matthew Johnstone who also suffered from depression. It is published by Constable & Robinson at £6.99, isbn 978 1 84529 3147, and is available at bookshops and websites such as Amazon . Matthew and his publishers kindly allowed us to use the illustrations for this website. If you see yourself here, we would strongly recommend getting hold of this book and seeing all the other illustrations that show not only how depression can affect your life but also give you some good ideas to get on top of your Black Dog.
Doing anything or going anywhere with Black Dog required superhuman strength.
Activities that usually brought me pleasure suddenly ceased to.
He chewed up my memory and my ability to concentrate.
Black Dog could make me irratable and difficult to be around.
As the years went by, Black Dog got bigger and he started hanging around all the time.
I would say THAT'S IT!!! and attack him with whatever I though might send him running.
But more often than not he would come out on top. Going down became easier than getting up again.
Living with a black dog
The following illustrations come from a brilliant follow-up to I HAD A BLACK DOG. This one is called LIVING WITH A BLACK DOG and is written by Matthew and Ainsley Johnstone. This one looks at how to take care of someone with depression while looking after yourself. It is published by Constable & Robinson at £7.99, isbn 978 1 84529 7435, and is available at bookshops and websites such as Amazon . The publishers kindly allowed us to use the illustrations for this website. If you see yourself here, we would strongly recommend getting hold of this book and seeing all the other illustrations that show not only how depression can affect your life and the lives of those around you.
What not to say
Socks have little to do with mental health. If people could just 'snap out of it' they would. No one ever chooses to have depression.
Don't be an armchair general who gives unfounded advice and orders.
Don't point out that there are people in this world far worse off than them. It just adds to their feelings of guilt and hopelessness.
Good things to do or say
If you're going to share relevant information, be subtle in how you go about it.
Try not talking. Just listen. Really being there for someone without opinion or judgement is one of the best gifts you can ever give.
Help them develop a strategy to simplify their life both at home and at work. Stress is one of the biggest drivers of depression. Less stress, less dog.
