Depression, Addiction And Suicide: My Very Personal Photo Project
This is a very personal project. Depression and Addiction affect thousands of people every single day. I’ve personally gone through depression and still struggle with it. My ex-husband was/is addicted to hard drugs and alcohol and through dealing with that and the consequences of it, I was inspired to create this photography project. Having someone I loved dearly addicted to drugs and alcohol profoundly changed my life and who I was as a person. It changed how I saw life and the people in it. Watching my husband deteriorate and destroy our family eventually allowed me to appreciate the small things and life, but it also made me more cautious and fearful. He also suffered from suicidal thoughts and I worried every day that I’d never see him again. Thankfully we are both free from this abuse but sadly, it ended our marriage before that could happen.
This particular project shows a woman in the beginning stages of depression and follows her through alcoholism and addiction to prescription drugs until she ultimately chooses to end her life.
There are also metaphorical images which shows what’s happening inside her mind and what she thinks will happen to her “soul” when she dies.
Secluded in the Crowd
Time to Drown the Thoughts
Drinking Alone
Trapped in My Own Thoughts
Hiding From Life
Getting Some Shut Eye
Can’t Look at the Light
Drinks of Choice
Mind of the Addicted
One Last Cigarette
Candy
Into the Darkness
Peaceful Slumber
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Time to Wake Her Up
Realization
Panic
Love Torn Apart
Emerging to Freedom
Gone
Hope
Paradise
Freedom
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Share on Facebook**DISCLAIMER** I can't seem to edit my post but I want to make sure no one thinks that I am promoting suicide. In this project it is suppose to represent this person's feelings and thoughts only. I didn't think about making sure that was understood when I posted because I don't think that way. I do not want this post or my work to be a reason to think suicide is never the answer. If you are having suicidal thoughts please seek help and know that you are never truly alone. I love you all and appreciate the wonderful comments and thoughts on my work.
Although I appreciate your effort and applaud your recovery, the essay photos are obviously staged, appeal to cheap sentiment, and rely on popular tropes of depression, addiction, and death. It doesn't ring true. The obvious conclusion a viewer would reach after viewing this is that suicide is the answer, despite that not being your intent. It's a heartfelt try, but needs rethinking.
It is staged. And while I appreciate the opinion I disagree. It doesn't rely on popular tropes but what I felt and what I saw from someone I cared about. I just used a different subject to covey my feelings and thoughts. This rings true for me. That doesn't mean it does for anyone else.
Load More Replies...This is very touching. I've experienced this, but I never got to the stages of Gone, Hope, or Paradise... I'm glad you were able to get through that time.
Am I the only one here that believe that this is painting suicide as a way to reach paradise?? She is also along there after all...and whit no drugs or alcohol. If you are reading this post have in mind that Gone, hope, paradise are by far the stupidest things you can do.
That's part of it. Its what she thinks will come if she does it. Even though we who are not in that situation or love said person knows is not the answer. Its the controversial part of someone who thinks there's no other way to get peace. I'm not trying to paint it as a good thing. I just want to show the reality of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Load More Replies...I've felt like I'm trapped in my own thoughts so often and I'm sinking with no way out. This is really good.
This have no artistic value whatsoever. Cheap shots with zero aesthetics looks like the person touched camera for the first time in their lives and was like - Ohh as soon as I play with filters or shoot photos in black and white, I will be good, so why make the photo look actually good with such s**t as good angle or composition. You are just trying to get people to feel sorry for you by shooting this as straightforward as possible, which means it lacks any emotional value and only tells a story the most boring way ever. I actually laughed, especially on the alcohol ones, because it is so clique that I couldn't help myself. Can't believe people actually fail to see through this so called 'art' when its entire message is equivalent of what only twelve years old mindset would think after their first breakup.
Careful, apparently you are not allowed point out the obvious disservice to both art and mental health here.
Load More Replies...The national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource if you are struggling with these feelings: 1-800-273-8255
Freedom to me is represented by death, most addicts who are truly stuck in the cycle welcome it.
Hi Art, I don't pretend to know what you're going through, but I have been in some very dark places myself and have seen death that way, but it is not true. There is ALWAYS hope. If you want to talk, let me know. The national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource: 1-800-273-8255
Load More Replies...Interesting to see the end photos. I struggle with the same issues.
I've been in similar places. It looks like this glorifies suicide, though and I know that one thing I have kept in mind is the indescribable hurt suicide causes to the loved ones. There is ALWAYS hope! (the national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource: 1-800-273-8255)
Load More Replies...These are beautiful! I especially love the paradise one. So many colors!
Well I think you need a realistic reality mentor because life isnt that hard there's always someone else with a more herd up story u hear every day so what I think u should do is take a walk with me and hold my hand habd and I'll take u some were where at the end of our tour of only a couple of hours walking I promise you that your suside thoughts will disappear became I to once had that thought when I lost everything only to realise I never had anything to begin with its all a facade of lifestyle so listern to me and I promise you I won't let you down on this one.. Xx Andy John
I think people need to stop viewing another's work with with artistic elitism. Art is expression, it doesn't have to be perfect.
Hi Christina, Thank you for your exploration of this subject matter - it is deeply affecting. My one red flag with the story you've shown is that it shows suicide as the end of suffering and the beginning of bliss for this woman; an idea that may lead some of those who see it (without reading your disclaimer) to feel that suicide will do the same for them - an idea that we both agree is dangerously false. It is a permanent and dreadful end to a temporary problem. Life can always be re-gained. It also fails to show the devastating effects of her death on the man who she loves. One thing I know about suicide is that it destroys the lives of those left behind. Yet the woman is shown going on without having to face what she did to those around her. I deeply appreciate the depiction of her struggles, but I'm afraid that some who view this (not everyone will read your disclaimer) may come away thinking that suicide will bring them bliss when it is really the worst thing they can do.
this whole story hit home even the photos my wife took her own life on dec 15 all the photos was what my wife was going thru till the end
I understand. I have been in some very miserable places and heard that same voice. There is ALWAYS hope, though. The national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource: 1-800-273-8255
Load More Replies...How this person managed to make something so intrinsically important to many people come across so banal and mightily tacky is the primary point of interest in this entire piece.
It came from my own experience not most peoples.
Load More Replies...**DISCLAIMER** I can't seem to edit my post but I want to make sure no one thinks that I am promoting suicide. In this project it is suppose to represent this person's feelings and thoughts only. I didn't think about making sure that was understood when I posted because I don't think that way. I do not want this post or my work to be a reason to think suicide is never the answer. If you are having suicidal thoughts please seek help and know that you are never truly alone. I love you all and appreciate the wonderful comments and thoughts on my work.
Although I appreciate your effort and applaud your recovery, the essay photos are obviously staged, appeal to cheap sentiment, and rely on popular tropes of depression, addiction, and death. It doesn't ring true. The obvious conclusion a viewer would reach after viewing this is that suicide is the answer, despite that not being your intent. It's a heartfelt try, but needs rethinking.
It is staged. And while I appreciate the opinion I disagree. It doesn't rely on popular tropes but what I felt and what I saw from someone I cared about. I just used a different subject to covey my feelings and thoughts. This rings true for me. That doesn't mean it does for anyone else.
Load More Replies...This is very touching. I've experienced this, but I never got to the stages of Gone, Hope, or Paradise... I'm glad you were able to get through that time.
Am I the only one here that believe that this is painting suicide as a way to reach paradise?? She is also along there after all...and whit no drugs or alcohol. If you are reading this post have in mind that Gone, hope, paradise are by far the stupidest things you can do.
That's part of it. Its what she thinks will come if she does it. Even though we who are not in that situation or love said person knows is not the answer. Its the controversial part of someone who thinks there's no other way to get peace. I'm not trying to paint it as a good thing. I just want to show the reality of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Load More Replies...I've felt like I'm trapped in my own thoughts so often and I'm sinking with no way out. This is really good.
This have no artistic value whatsoever. Cheap shots with zero aesthetics looks like the person touched camera for the first time in their lives and was like - Ohh as soon as I play with filters or shoot photos in black and white, I will be good, so why make the photo look actually good with such s**t as good angle or composition. You are just trying to get people to feel sorry for you by shooting this as straightforward as possible, which means it lacks any emotional value and only tells a story the most boring way ever. I actually laughed, especially on the alcohol ones, because it is so clique that I couldn't help myself. Can't believe people actually fail to see through this so called 'art' when its entire message is equivalent of what only twelve years old mindset would think after their first breakup.
Careful, apparently you are not allowed point out the obvious disservice to both art and mental health here.
Load More Replies...The national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource if you are struggling with these feelings: 1-800-273-8255
Freedom to me is represented by death, most addicts who are truly stuck in the cycle welcome it.
Hi Art, I don't pretend to know what you're going through, but I have been in some very dark places myself and have seen death that way, but it is not true. There is ALWAYS hope. If you want to talk, let me know. The national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource: 1-800-273-8255
Load More Replies...Interesting to see the end photos. I struggle with the same issues.
I've been in similar places. It looks like this glorifies suicide, though and I know that one thing I have kept in mind is the indescribable hurt suicide causes to the loved ones. There is ALWAYS hope! (the national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource: 1-800-273-8255)
Load More Replies...These are beautiful! I especially love the paradise one. So many colors!
Well I think you need a realistic reality mentor because life isnt that hard there's always someone else with a more herd up story u hear every day so what I think u should do is take a walk with me and hold my hand habd and I'll take u some were where at the end of our tour of only a couple of hours walking I promise you that your suside thoughts will disappear became I to once had that thought when I lost everything only to realise I never had anything to begin with its all a facade of lifestyle so listern to me and I promise you I won't let you down on this one.. Xx Andy John
I think people need to stop viewing another's work with with artistic elitism. Art is expression, it doesn't have to be perfect.
Hi Christina, Thank you for your exploration of this subject matter - it is deeply affecting. My one red flag with the story you've shown is that it shows suicide as the end of suffering and the beginning of bliss for this woman; an idea that may lead some of those who see it (without reading your disclaimer) to feel that suicide will do the same for them - an idea that we both agree is dangerously false. It is a permanent and dreadful end to a temporary problem. Life can always be re-gained. It also fails to show the devastating effects of her death on the man who she loves. One thing I know about suicide is that it destroys the lives of those left behind. Yet the woman is shown going on without having to face what she did to those around her. I deeply appreciate the depiction of her struggles, but I'm afraid that some who view this (not everyone will read your disclaimer) may come away thinking that suicide will bring them bliss when it is really the worst thing they can do.
this whole story hit home even the photos my wife took her own life on dec 15 all the photos was what my wife was going thru till the end
I understand. I have been in some very miserable places and heard that same voice. There is ALWAYS hope, though. The national suicide prevention hotline is a great resource: 1-800-273-8255
Load More Replies...How this person managed to make something so intrinsically important to many people come across so banal and mightily tacky is the primary point of interest in this entire piece.
It came from my own experience not most peoples.
Load More Replies...
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