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I've been living with mental illness for as long as I can remember. And mental illness brings many weird and dark thoughts in my head.

I started these drawings because I'm really bad at explaining those thoughts, and explaining by drawing has always been a lot easier for me. For the French people around here, I also made a French version on Webtoons.

I already made the first post about it some time ago, here it is.

More info: Instagram | French Webtoons | English Webtoons

My illustrations allow me to express my feelings. I've never been great at talking about it, so drawing allows me that. I can hide behind my characters and then share it without having to show my face. With time, it also slowly became a way to inform about mental health issues and to remind people that they are not alone and that it's okay to not be okay. I'm really happy with that part because I wasn't expecting it at all!

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    Kamryn McNamara
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anxiety becomes a sumo wrestler putting you in a choke hold, no matter how hard you fight, he still has you in that choke hold. Trapped. Unable to go anywhere.

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    I've always been drawing and just never stopped. After high school, I was refused in art schools but kept drawing because I didn't see myself doing anything else. I'm always trying to make something that can be understood by as many people as possible: people who suffer from mental health issues, but also people who don't but may know someone suffering. It's sometimes challenging, but I like that.

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    lilspiffy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is me right now. I’m on medical leave and I feel guilty when I have fun with family.

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    I've always been drawing about my life, so the topics of depression and anxiety came naturally when my life became darker. Sharing it publicly took some time because I was scared to have my family and friends see it. I would describe my style as dark humor with a sketchy comic style. But I also like making cute illustrations in a more kid literature style—the opposite of these comics.

    I started these illustrations around 2014, dared to share them after 2015 and will continue as long as I have something to share on these topics. Seeing people's reactions to my drawings is a huge boost and is very inspiring! It reminds me that I'm not alone and that what I'm doing is useful. It makes me really proud! I never imagined I would be able to help people since I feel like I am broken myself.

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    Kamryn McNamara
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    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes anxiety just hits you like a f*****g train. Tackles you to the ground, pins you down, and there's nothing you can do to prevent it or shake it off.

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    反社会的
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It isn't always that easy to be positive, I just don't think some people understand that because depression is such a taboo topic, that no one is educated about it.

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    If you want to create art—just get started and create! We get better by practicing and never stopping. Talent is just days of work. I personally draw things that are far from perfect, but I keep working.

    #11

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    Mary Stiles
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never thought that people would be so... self absorbed that they can't even...I don't know.

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    I'm a French '90s kid who got refused in art schools after high school and did his best to work as an artist anyway. It's still in progress today.

    As I grew up in my twenties, life got darker, so I started drawing about it in English, so my French family wouldn't understand. It slowly got worse and I couldn't get out of my house after 2 big panic attacks that made me too sick and scared to go out. One of them was at one of my art shows, so I felt betrayed by my drawings. The other one was at a concert, so I felt betrayed by music, my biggest support in life. So I decided to get help and talked about it to my doctor. I discovered I had burned out, that I had depression, and that many of my issues were caused by anxiety and panic disorder. With time, I realized I was also facing gender dysphoria. I came out a trans guy, got kicked out of my parents' house by my dad and now draw about all of these strange thoughts in my head and hope to someday make a real living with all of my drawings. I evolved a lot in the last few years. I started hormones, got my own home, got a dog. Today, I think I can say the hardest is in the past. I'd like to try to go to more concerts. To start playing in a band again, to try to start really living.

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    Don't hesitate to talk about how you are feeling to people. We often fear bad reactions, but they are often more open than we imagine. Get help, it's all okay!

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have days when I really can't get out of bed. Then I feel guilty for wasting my day and not being productive. Sometimes I just need a "free" day like this, I keep reminding myself.

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    Kamryn McNamara
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People ask me "Are you okay?" and my anxiety tells me not to say that I'm' never okay because then they'll ask me why and I'll have to answer questions nobody has found answers to yet, and my depression will never allow me to be okay.

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    #21

    I Explain What My Depression And Anxiety Feels Like Through These Comics (New Pics)

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depression wants to steal your life, like a possessive lover.

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    #24

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    Kamryn McNamara
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a thing I like to call double depression. I'm always depressed, always sad. But sometimes for no reason, my depression gets so much greater that I can no longer even pretend to be happy or deflect it with humor or laugh with "friends" so they don't ask me about it.

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks, Mom. Self hate often starts in childhood. Being repeatedly told for years that you are worthless scars you for life.

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    #27

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The time of day when you are alone with your thoughts, and nothing to distract you.

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the last thing I can do: stay still. I feel like I need to get up and run away.

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    Judy Delin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember feeling like this. Just getting from one appointment to the next. Sending a message back from where I am now to say it started to feel like a shorter time, and then it felt like 'What am I going to tell him about?' and then 'Perhaps I could go every two weeks' and then 'Perhaps I can take a break'. Things are looking much brighter now

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    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, it's always an unpleasant surprise when old man anxiety crashes at your pad.

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    #33

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Without treatment there is no hope. Reach out for it and make it happen. You are worth it.

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    #36

    I Explain What My Depression And Anxiety Feels Like Through These Comics (New Pics)

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    Phoebe Bean
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I´m taking it one day at a time. That´s how. Otherwise it becomes overwhelming.

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I couldn't tell you the number of appointments and obligations I have missed because of my illness.

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    #41

    I Explain What My Depression And Anxiety Feels Like Through These Comics (New Pics)

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    Daria B
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jumping? Yes, actually. But not into a void. Maybe jumping in a particular rhythm. Maybe you can use some music to help you out. (Doesn't work for everyone, but sometimes it does, and it's harmless)

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    StealTheFruit
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have breakdowns in private. In my mind, or in a bathroom stall. I haven't cried in front of anyone but family for almost two years. That's why I don't think They believe me.

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    Kamryn McNamara
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For me, depression is not tears. My depression is not being able to cry, to get it over with, get it done. My depression is the lack of tears, I can't get over it, and I have to sit with it, deal with it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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    BEC Burns
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    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are so clever and insightful. It explains exactly how it is...thankyou for sharing your gift!

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    lilspiffy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please take your meds more regularly. Missing doses can cause worse depression than if you weren’t on them at all.

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    #48

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #49

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    River Webb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sometimes when I look in the mirror I don't feel like its me I'm looking at

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    #53

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #54

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #55

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #56

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #57

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #59

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #60

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #61

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are ugly, so you are depressed, so you take antidepressants, so you are uglier...

    #62

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #64

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #65

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #69

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Being in a big crowd" is a totally real reason to feel stress.

    #70

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #72

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    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You really should have thought of that before you became a... erm... sentient living person.

    #73

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    #74

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    River Webb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ive thought about dying before, but then I realised how much pain that'll cause to my loved ones

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    #77

    I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It’s Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (47 Pics)

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    Daniel
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This helps immensely! Knowing what you've done helped me so much! I had to look through a thick fog, but with a notepad and pen, it made it a little easier.

    #78

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