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Artist Suffering From Anxiety Illustrates Mental Illnesses As Real Monsters
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Artist Suffering From Anxiety Illustrates Mental Illnesses As Real Monsters

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The link between mental illnesses and city life has been seen for quite some time now, and if you are a city dweller, there’s double a chance to develop psychosis, depression and a number of other anxiety disorders. Typically, the causes are social, such as inequality and isolation, but also physical – pollution and noise.

If you have a mental illness or know somebody who does, you might just understand, how difficult it’s sometimes is to talk about it. Not only you can feel vulnerable when disclosing such sensitive information about yourself, but also you can be left misunderstood. It takes quite a lot of empathy for another person, to get into your shoes and understand how it feels so that they can help you.

Illustrator Toby Allen, decided to deal with explaining and conquering such mental illness types as depression, borderline personality, and anxiety disorder, decided to re-create them as cute monsters. Giving such intangible illnesses some substance, makes them appear more manageable as physical entities.

“The project originated from imagining my own anxieties as inner demons and finding it to be a cathartic and healing process to draw them,” Allen told The Huffington Post. “It made them feel weaker, and I was able to look at my own anxiety comically with the help of these monster drawings.”

More info: zestydoesthings.storenvy.com

“The project originated from imagining my own anxieties as monsters”

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“It made them feel weaker and I was able to look at my own anxiety in a comical way”

“I hope it helps [people] see their illness in a different light, make it appear more manageable”

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NancyRighi
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make em into stuffed animals... Sell and whatever profit can go to organizations help those with the disorder you bought?... Might be a lot of work though

Blake Jòns
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1575895717/mental-illness-plushies-real-monsters-come-to-life 😆

Load More Replies...
MinaNikolic
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is great. it will help me remember names and descriptions of disorders cuz im psychology major. thanks a lot keep up awesome work :)

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

Ahahahahahhaha .. :D . Its very creative, in the sense of making the intangible tangible . Awesome job Toby :D

Load More Replies...
Tammillia
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this so much, I have depression, misophonia, ocd, bi-polar and social anxiety. These bring such character to such negative things, they're also beautifully drawn. :) To be honest, I was surprised to find misophonia on the list! It's not very well known about. Great work! Keep it up!

AndyDann
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technically, misophonia is neurological rather than mental, but it does trigger unpleasant mental (and physical) symptoms. I hate it!

Load More Replies...
ŠťovíkKyselý
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so awesome, it actually makes these horrors look cute and pretty and fluffy

RoseWheeler
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

kinda curious to see how you would do the learning disabilities (like dyslexia and Auditory processing disorder) or even Post-partum depression. great job :D

WarriorCatTuesdays Fluff
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this! I am an actual sufferer of Misophonia, so I enjoy seeing a monster-ized version of it, very cute! I just hate it when my family looks at me weird if I ask them to stop breathing loudly.

Noel Figueroa
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sleep Disorder? That is really vague, as there are numerous. There are 4 major sleep disorder (lotsof minor ones), but I suffer from 2 of them: Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy.

YoseTriarto
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome picts and illustrations. Surely it will help those to understanding more about disorders as a friendly monsters and be friend with them. Thank you.

MinnaOjanen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was great way to describe serious mental disorders. It could be useful to have these kind of descriptions when giving psychoeducation with kids, youngsters and their families.

SarandaVraniqi
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to say that I fight my mental disorders like Don Quixote faught his windmills.... <3

StefanKuhnigk/Coffeemonsters
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are very good. Straight on spot character design. I like every single one. Very good approac on making things visible.

NancyMashalova
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this so much! The artworks are amazing, also very inspiring. Great work!

ElizabethMills
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The images and the descriptions are imaginative, beautiful, and moving. Toby, I'd love to see these as prints.

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

Elizabeth , you can check his website and store if you liked any of the drawings : zestydoesthings.storenvy.com

Load More Replies...
YoviitaHauke
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice! I know some of them and I think about them "my dragons", this and my idea if they look are so smilar! I realle like it :3

AnnaSalerno
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exceedingly interesting illustrations for these mental disorders!

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

Ahahahahahhaha .. :D . Its very creative, in the sense of making the intangible tangible . Awesome job Toby :D

Cheyenne Wells
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was gonna be anxiety for Halloween but I don't know how to make the costume ._.

Matthew Shelton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my friend shared this today on facebook and I really enjoyed reading about the monsters. I have been diagnosed with MPD as well as bipolar disorder so it is cool to see the creative outlet you imagined for these mental illnesses. very cool I really enjoyed reading this thanks for creating!

Kelsey Huizing
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this... I am currently using them in my creative writing class for mental illness awareness month. I am having the students use the monsters to inspire a story that showcases the struggles of living with a mental illness.

Cameron Penny
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's an interesting psychologist's perspective: http://psychotherapytoronto.ca/illustrating-mental-health-with-cartoons/

Christy Atkins Trotter
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should do a Schizoaffective Disorder somewhere between a Bipolar and a Schizophrenia or a completely new beast of it's own... These are so good.

Darren Eccleston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having suffered PTSD from serving in Northern Ireland And Iraq this is as close to any description I have heard we all constantly fight our demons but sometime you just have to accept them and learn to cope with them

Douglas MacNeill
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call me curious, but is there a monster for autism spectrum disorder?

Hope Haney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who is this artist? I work/ am the art teacher at a school for children who suffer from mental illness, and I would love to share this with them!illness,

Shaila McGuire
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your art is flawless. Would it be okay to get any of these as a tattoo? I am so very very impressed!!! 10/10

Ashley A Edenfield
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who suffers from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and OCD, all I can say is that these are beautiful and thank you. I'm in the process of healing and getting better, these might help.

Raven Dane
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent descriptions of these distressing and debilitating and very real conditons. One of the best explanations I've seen of OCD

Saber Alexander
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

.....these are freaking adorable... And wwhat a cool idea. If you can visualize something it's easier to fight against it.

Kirsten Preston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only wonderful pieces of work, but also very informative for people who are lucky enough to be deemed normal ( whatever normal is )

TheCUnfortuately
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who has a sleeping disorder, this feels so accurate, so true, like there literally is a monster keeping me up at night

Eve Kurocieru
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personality disorders aren't "mental illness. " but the pics are cute.

PeterSmythe
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The illustrations are amazing; they seem to all fit really well.

jewelss
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ticci Toby :) no, but really great job!! Most look so cute though...

jbmilam
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how to put the fun back into dysfunctional! de-fang the monster. eht emperor has no clothes

VanSagara
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i LIKE the drawing style.. god i wish i able to draw like that.. why u not making short animation movie or game with those character? it will be great game about mental illness <3

JoyceBurley
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a suggested from me would be to add de-realisation/depersonalisation

SusanHayward
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What fabulous images!! They sum up MH issues brilliantly and creatively!

MichelleRevelle
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could this be made into a formal book? I love these and definitely would buy a book.

SherryRobinson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are AWESOME..so good to help people understand the conditions...

TovaNapell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are so cool they look like they can be in a dark a twisted children's story

JohnWilson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did something similair to this when I was suffering from severe depression and anxiety a few years ago. I never pursued it any further than just imagining how he would have looked and the story behind him. This is my Hamish :) - http://battleofmind.com/anxiety/negative-thinking-hamish/

WhitneyHatton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are precious and the descriptions are very well written.

SandyVella
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing work Toby, You've 'hit the nail on the head' literally, congratulations!

NancyRighi
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make em into stuffed animals... Sell and whatever profit can go to organizations help those with the disorder you bought?... Might be a lot of work though

Blake Jòns
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1575895717/mental-illness-plushies-real-monsters-come-to-life 😆

Load More Replies...
MinaNikolic
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is great. it will help me remember names and descriptions of disorders cuz im psychology major. thanks a lot keep up awesome work :)

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

Ahahahahahhaha .. :D . Its very creative, in the sense of making the intangible tangible . Awesome job Toby :D

Load More Replies...
Tammillia
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this so much, I have depression, misophonia, ocd, bi-polar and social anxiety. These bring such character to such negative things, they're also beautifully drawn. :) To be honest, I was surprised to find misophonia on the list! It's not very well known about. Great work! Keep it up!

AndyDann
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technically, misophonia is neurological rather than mental, but it does trigger unpleasant mental (and physical) symptoms. I hate it!

Load More Replies...
ŠťovíkKyselý
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so awesome, it actually makes these horrors look cute and pretty and fluffy

RoseWheeler
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

kinda curious to see how you would do the learning disabilities (like dyslexia and Auditory processing disorder) or even Post-partum depression. great job :D

WarriorCatTuesdays Fluff
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this! I am an actual sufferer of Misophonia, so I enjoy seeing a monster-ized version of it, very cute! I just hate it when my family looks at me weird if I ask them to stop breathing loudly.

Noel Figueroa
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sleep Disorder? That is really vague, as there are numerous. There are 4 major sleep disorder (lotsof minor ones), but I suffer from 2 of them: Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy.

YoseTriarto
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome picts and illustrations. Surely it will help those to understanding more about disorders as a friendly monsters and be friend with them. Thank you.

MinnaOjanen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was great way to describe serious mental disorders. It could be useful to have these kind of descriptions when giving psychoeducation with kids, youngsters and their families.

SarandaVraniqi
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to say that I fight my mental disorders like Don Quixote faught his windmills.... <3

StefanKuhnigk/Coffeemonsters
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are very good. Straight on spot character design. I like every single one. Very good approac on making things visible.

NancyMashalova
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this so much! The artworks are amazing, also very inspiring. Great work!

ElizabethMills
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The images and the descriptions are imaginative, beautiful, and moving. Toby, I'd love to see these as prints.

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

Elizabeth , you can check his website and store if you liked any of the drawings : zestydoesthings.storenvy.com

Load More Replies...
YoviitaHauke
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice! I know some of them and I think about them "my dragons", this and my idea if they look are so smilar! I realle like it :3

AnnaSalerno
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exceedingly interesting illustrations for these mental disorders!

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

Ahahahahahhaha .. :D . Its very creative, in the sense of making the intangible tangible . Awesome job Toby :D

Cheyenne Wells
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was gonna be anxiety for Halloween but I don't know how to make the costume ._.

Matthew Shelton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my friend shared this today on facebook and I really enjoyed reading about the monsters. I have been diagnosed with MPD as well as bipolar disorder so it is cool to see the creative outlet you imagined for these mental illnesses. very cool I really enjoyed reading this thanks for creating!

Kelsey Huizing
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this... I am currently using them in my creative writing class for mental illness awareness month. I am having the students use the monsters to inspire a story that showcases the struggles of living with a mental illness.

Cameron Penny
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's an interesting psychologist's perspective: http://psychotherapytoronto.ca/illustrating-mental-health-with-cartoons/

Christy Atkins Trotter
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should do a Schizoaffective Disorder somewhere between a Bipolar and a Schizophrenia or a completely new beast of it's own... These are so good.

Darren Eccleston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having suffered PTSD from serving in Northern Ireland And Iraq this is as close to any description I have heard we all constantly fight our demons but sometime you just have to accept them and learn to cope with them

Douglas MacNeill
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call me curious, but is there a monster for autism spectrum disorder?

Hope Haney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who is this artist? I work/ am the art teacher at a school for children who suffer from mental illness, and I would love to share this with them!illness,

Shaila McGuire
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your art is flawless. Would it be okay to get any of these as a tattoo? I am so very very impressed!!! 10/10

Ashley A Edenfield
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who suffers from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and OCD, all I can say is that these are beautiful and thank you. I'm in the process of healing and getting better, these might help.

Raven Dane
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent descriptions of these distressing and debilitating and very real conditons. One of the best explanations I've seen of OCD

Saber Alexander
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

.....these are freaking adorable... And wwhat a cool idea. If you can visualize something it's easier to fight against it.

Kirsten Preston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only wonderful pieces of work, but also very informative for people who are lucky enough to be deemed normal ( whatever normal is )

TheCUnfortuately
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who has a sleeping disorder, this feels so accurate, so true, like there literally is a monster keeping me up at night

Eve Kurocieru
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personality disorders aren't "mental illness. " but the pics are cute.

PeterSmythe
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The illustrations are amazing; they seem to all fit really well.

jewelss
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ticci Toby :) no, but really great job!! Most look so cute though...

jbmilam
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how to put the fun back into dysfunctional! de-fang the monster. eht emperor has no clothes

VanSagara
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i LIKE the drawing style.. god i wish i able to draw like that.. why u not making short animation movie or game with those character? it will be great game about mental illness <3

JoyceBurley
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a suggested from me would be to add de-realisation/depersonalisation

SusanHayward
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What fabulous images!! They sum up MH issues brilliantly and creatively!

MichelleRevelle
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could this be made into a formal book? I love these and definitely would buy a book.

SherryRobinson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are AWESOME..so good to help people understand the conditions...

TovaNapell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are so cool they look like they can be in a dark a twisted children's story

JohnWilson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did something similair to this when I was suffering from severe depression and anxiety a few years ago. I never pursued it any further than just imagining how he would have looked and the story behind him. This is my Hamish :) - http://battleofmind.com/anxiety/negative-thinking-hamish/

WhitneyHatton
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are precious and the descriptions are very well written.

SandyVella
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing work Toby, You've 'hit the nail on the head' literally, congratulations!

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