The official name for this portion is to figure out your Beliefs (B). The event that caused the unwelcome reactions is the Activating event (A) and the reaction, the Consequence (C). But I want to make this introduction to CBT[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
When I first started drawing these comics, I had to decide what kind of person Dave would be. After a while, I realised that I wanted Dave to do what I would do in any given circumstance. Except maybe in[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I deem myself to be a responsible, reasonable and rational consumer of talk therapy services. Yet one day, my therapist sat back, looked at me and said “I’m not a miracle worker, you know.” As with any successful relationship, we[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I get asked quite often, how my normal day looks like. To be honest, I’m considered really blessed. I can at least get up and leave the house. I have Depressed Dave and my blog on depression. I have a[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Understanding this paradox is particularly important when it comes to seeking help, whether medical or otherwise, or when it comes to being rejected. Someone who’s depressed may not be good at expressing how or when they need help. Don’t turn[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Have you ever heard the phrase “being lonely in the middle of a crowd”? Depression makes this feeling even more intense, and worse still – it can become self-fulfilling. It’s difficult to be social, and sometimes it’s just easier to[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I just randomly came up with a number. If I started numbering my episodes, we’d never get anywhere. Episodes are dangerous. These are usually when the impulse to act is the strongest, on any self harm or suicidal intent. This[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting someone with depression who can take their own advice. Somehow, advice on survival, on being positive, on not beating ourselves up with guilt… when others are depressed, and we can offer them[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Depression is particularly tricky with this paradox. I call depression a fatal illness only because of this paradox. But it gets confusing. If you’ve ever met a friend who’s depressed and contemplating ending things, you’ll also know that somehow that[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
There isn’t a manual that dictates how someone’s recovery will look like. In the same way there’s no manual that talks about how much effort we should put in. It’s very much a balancing act. Don’t push and I won’t[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…