Mental health issues run in my family. So I can sympathise a lot with whats been said here.
My father was a depressive alchoholic gambler till his death, he replaced his overwhelming unhappiness with addiction. In actuality he was rather successful, a high level job, wife of over 30 years, 3 relatively happy children, golf, drink, horses. Depression doesnt stop you doing anything. He just didnt know how to handle it, so drank or gambled the problem away. In Scotland being in a bar (to a man of his generation) wasnt seen as a problem, particularly if you have a high paying day job.
Next generation, my brother is handicapped and also suffers from some mental health issues. He's a capable lad, outgoing, charming and altogether trusting. Maybe too trusting, Ill get to that later. Born with a problem down his left hand side, the his brain and his left dont match up quite right, coupled with a mental age of somewhere around 12-14. He's never really had it easy. But he's managed to get jobs and try hard at them. The most shocking thing is that normal people (and I use this in the loosest sense) are never sure how to take him. Put it this way, he follows his local football team home and away or did at least until an incident. He travels with the worst football coach the team has, full of hooligans and casuals, but they treat him like he's their brother. He knows them all and they all look after him.
Recently he has gone down hill with his health. He worked for a massive supermarket, pushing trolleys and packing bags. That sort of thing. Nothing taxing but it brought in some money for him. Anyway, at work one of the managers (not a shop floor person or a till operator or even a security guard), started to bully him. Used words like disabled and spastic to him. Thats hard for most of us to take, but a naive man with the brain of a 12 year old? It sent my brother into depression and self abuse (scratching, blood letting, scarrification). Now he has to deal with all the fallout medical conditions and the like. Yes I have sent the supermarket a solicitors letter, Ill see how it works out.
I myself have suffered somewhat with what they called "reactive" depression, manifesting itself as rage, anger and hatred, mostly at myself. It took about 6 months to shake it and I still have times of dark moments, but its no where near as bad as it was. Even after that short time, it took a year of therapy and a mindfullness course to address. Even now I still do breathing exercises and cycle and run almost every day to keep it in check. Exercise is a great healer, especially outside. Am I saying this on a comics forum?
Any one who thinks they suffer from this or similar, go and see your doctor. Most health authorities run courses like Mindfulness and depression is a big thing. Dont suffer in silence and alone, go and see someone, dont leave it to late. People would miss you, if you ever went.
Yer 'Serious' Slips
