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Artist Phil Wall, aka Never Stay Dead, has been working on a series that's very close to them. To educate both themselves and their followers, Never Stay Dead has been illustrating disorders and mental illnesses as monsters, following people like shadows everywhere they go.
From body dysmorphic disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder, Never Stay Dead does an excellent job of portraying just how devastating these conditions can be. It's extremely difficult to imagine what people who suffer from them have to go through every day. Maybe even impossible. That's why works like these are so important -- they teach us empathy.
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"Disorders are something that we live with and are very real, but not everyone can see them or know what we are going through," the artist told Bored Panda. "I wanted to visualise it in a way that everyone could understand easily. As a monster that lives with us on a daily basis."
The series is ongoing and not complete yet, but Never Stay Dead has tried to cover the most common disorders whilst also working towards being as inclusive as possible.
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#2
My depiction of anxiety is a disorientating, chaotic, and pearlescent monster. It has many arms to grip you in fear, many eyes to watch you, and many mouths to make you doubt yourself. It is like a big parasite feeding on fear and paralysing you
The artist has done a fair share of preparation before starting the series, too. "I have and I've used my own experiences and the people around me to create the illustrations," they explained.
"It's a very complicated and sensitive subject and it's not the same for everyone. It's impossible to capture the entire spectrum of a disorder in one simple drawing. Many people find them relatable, and if not at least it’s opening up a discussion instead of ignoring them."
#3
Autism is a developmental disorder, because it is more susceptible to mental health I decided to include it in this series
#4
Insomnia is a Wraith that can manifest from various mental health (including depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD). The monster chains itself to its host leaving it feeling like a ghost inside its own body. Too uncomfortably awake to sleep, but too tired to function normally. The Wraith's body is partly made of stars from all of the dreams it has eaten and it drags a heavy time piece across the ground. Constantly reminding its victims of lost time and the pressure to start a new day tired and restless
#6
The ADHD monster is a hyperactive ball of energy, finding it hard to focus on one task and easily distracted by everything around it. A daydreamer with a chaotic galaxy of ideas and thoughts
Biljana Malesevic 4 years ago
Requires more chaos, this is too neat. Saying from personal experience.
#7
The BDD monster warps and distorts its hosts perception of themselves. It shows them an exaggeration of any flaw they might find, this will spiral until they become obsessed with it. The Monster can also cause social anxiety, OCD and depression.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
The worst part is all the corporations that support this problem just to make a buck. I can u understand basic hygiene and wanting to get dressed up once in a while; but to spend $100 on eye cream that's "supposed" to make you look younger is predatory.
#8
The Addiction monster seems desirable and shiny, but tricks its host by rewarding them with short lived highs that lead to adverse consequences
Jenelle castles 4 years ago (edited)
Addiction is so hard, so so hard to kick. And people blame the addict themselves for becoming addicts but seriously- ever single one of us believes that there is no chance of us becoming addicted, coz we know that we are stronger than that. Pffftt. We ALL honestly believe it'll never happen to us. Heroin is the worst. That addiction is alive and it's evil. The devil itself. Mind you... i have NEVER EVER had to steal or lie or rob or lose my morals in any way for my habits.
#9
The PTSD monster was once a confident and strong ally. But it is left severely wounded and broken, every day reliving its pain
#10
BPD is a Demon with broken wings, but it often thinks it's an angel. It is complex and usually misunderstood, and can completely override the mind and emotions. It has a fear of abandonment, yet struggles with stable relationships. It is more prone to act recklessly than most monsters which can result in dangerous consequences, addiction and even the suicide of its vessel
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago (edited)
This scares the absolute s**t out of me. My daughters psychologist said he believes she suffers BPD or complex PTSD. She is too young for a formal diagnosis because apparently it is more difficult when kids are going through puberty. So have to wait a few more years for a proper assessment.
#11
Bipolar is a two headed beast that's splitting into two extreme and contrasting monsters, and neither are fun to be around. They both have a hand on the steering wheel and can divert the ride at any time
Peter Ampudia 4 years ago
I have Bipolar Mood Disorder and it's not easy to deal with. But, the picture is a pretty good representation of what I have gone through.
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What do you think ?
Mike Crow 4 years ago
I have depression and anxiety, and yes, they are demons and sometimes they are so loud that I believe that they are right and that everyone would be better if I take my life. Thank the gods for my wife who has saved me more than once.
Clove Kentwell 4 years ago
I have been having anxiety that leads to stomachaches and insomnia, and it really sucks.
Elizabeth Orozco 4 years ago
Wow this was awesome, I suffer from insomnia, minor anxiety, and OCD, all this was too true of my everyday life. I loved it!
Павел Котов 11 months ago
I want to thanks one more time. Pictures are the best representation of mental disorders, and it is very important due to most people's opinion that, e.g. bipolar disorder is just the change of mood, OCD is about checking front door and so on.
Nora Horton 3 years ago
I have severe anxiety, bad adhd and ocd, bad body dysmorphia and mild depression. These comics just make me go: woah. That’s exactly how it feels.
Marley Lennon 4 years ago
Aight so imma vent so u can just ignore this. I have depression, and ADHD. My brother had autism and my other brother has dyslexia. I have to help them with everything for school and stuff and it really sucks the life out of me. I love them and I understand that they need help with somethings. I also understand why my mother would want me to do it for her. But sometimes I just can’t do it and I get so mad at her And then I breakdown and cry but I don’t want her to know because I don’t want her to have to work harder than she does. And my dad is hardly ever home so he can’t help with any of it.
TheUntrustworhyEverythingBagal 4 years ago
I’m seriously about to cry in front of my siblings, these are so true and it scares me that I relate to these. I haven’t had any actual diagnosis but I’m going to therapy again and I hope I can get better or get help. God, this hits my heart.
David Cooper 4 years ago
This is an honest question and is not meant to diminish what people are going through. Why do these disorders occur most often in the developed world as opposed to many third-world countries where the poverty rate is much higher?
Mike Crow 4 years ago
I have depression and anxiety, and yes, they are demons and sometimes they are so loud that I believe that they are right and that everyone would be better if I take my life. Thank the gods for my wife who has saved me more than once.
Clove Kentwell 4 years ago
I have been having anxiety that leads to stomachaches and insomnia, and it really sucks.
Elizabeth Orozco 4 years ago
Wow this was awesome, I suffer from insomnia, minor anxiety, and OCD, all this was too true of my everyday life. I loved it!
Павел Котов 11 months ago
I want to thanks one more time. Pictures are the best representation of mental disorders, and it is very important due to most people's opinion that, e.g. bipolar disorder is just the change of mood, OCD is about checking front door and so on.
Nora Horton 3 years ago
I have severe anxiety, bad adhd and ocd, bad body dysmorphia and mild depression. These comics just make me go: woah. That’s exactly how it feels.
Marley Lennon 4 years ago
Aight so imma vent so u can just ignore this. I have depression, and ADHD. My brother had autism and my other brother has dyslexia. I have to help them with everything for school and stuff and it really sucks the life out of me. I love them and I understand that they need help with somethings. I also understand why my mother would want me to do it for her. But sometimes I just can’t do it and I get so mad at her And then I breakdown and cry but I don’t want her to know because I don’t want her to have to work harder than she does. And my dad is hardly ever home so he can’t help with any of it.
TheUntrustworhyEverythingBagal 4 years ago
I’m seriously about to cry in front of my siblings, these are so true and it scares me that I relate to these. I haven’t had any actual diagnosis but I’m going to therapy again and I hope I can get better or get help. God, this hits my heart.
David Cooper 4 years ago
This is an honest question and is not meant to diminish what people are going through. Why do these disorders occur most often in the developed world as opposed to many third-world countries where the poverty rate is much higher?
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