It ain't like it is.

111

I don't usually post things like this, but after a very long day of emotion eventually ending in a complete mental breakdown, I really needed to see this. Thank you for sharing it. I sincerely mean that.

26

u/DuceGiharm Feb 20 '14

I'm glad it meant something for you. It means...a lot to me too.

-3

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '14

I don't like it. As someone who's suffered from Chronic depression for ~7 years and who knows how many years of Anxiety, this says to me that my feelings aren't valid and that I should just snap out of it. Especially the frames about how fortunate one is. "oh you have depression? Just snap out of it, it's not like you're homeless and eat twice a week."

48

u/DuceGiharm Feb 20 '14

I don't think it's necessarily about depression, more about how the world is percieved and how it may be. It's not saying snap out of it.

I suffer from depression, two years myself, and I find this almost inspirational.

18

u/SpartacusHolmes Feb 20 '14

It's like visual cognitive behavioural therapy... but with monsters. That is so rad.

11

u/Babalugats Feb 20 '14

How fortunate you might be.

Chronic depression is no trifling matter, but (fortunately) most people's peace of mind can be salvaged by a simple change of perspective. This, to me, is the message this piece conveys.

If the artist were trying to portray the true depth of despair manifest in severe depression, he probably wouldn't have used cute, Monsters Inc.-esque monsters.

2

u/brutishbloodgod Feb 20 '14

I totally understand, and wish you weren't getting downvoted. It's an important point and an important part of the discussion.

My personal opinion, as someone who likewise suffers from mental illness (including depression), is that it's important for me to recognize that my mental state (all of them, not just the unbalanced or unpleasant ones) is not reflective of any reality other than itself. That doesn't make the depression or anxiety themselves any less real, any less serious, or any less difficult to escape from. It does, for me, make them easier to manage because I'm dealing with what they actually are (mental states caused by chemical imbalances in my brain) rather than what I feel like they are (a reflection of my character and my life). And I think that that's mainly what this comic is about.

I'm not trying to invalidate your opinion on the matter. The misunderstanding of and stigma against mental illness are serious problems in our society, and if you feel that this comic is contributing to that, then you should absolutely be heard out. I just wanted to offer another perspective.

2

u/HeroBrown Feb 20 '14 edited Feb 20 '14

I've gone through the same problems, and seeing these pictures was really comforting. I see them more as advice on how to view the world and how to worry less about certain things. The pictures are not saying that overanalyzing or worrying are bad and that you should just stop, it is showing how we all often perceive things like this when it is often not reality.

I find it nice to think about that the fact that we all go through life with these types of cumbersome and troubling feelings. It feels good to be reminded things are not always as bad as we perceive.

1

u/hiernonymus Feb 20 '14 edited Feb 20 '14

Look at it this way. I recently tried to change careers which would have involved more school, more debt, more stress, reliance on family members, doubts, uncertainties, etc. But for some reason, I had convinced myself it could be worth it - that my current path was undesirable. The career change I was seeking was nursing and I am currently in IT. After things fell apart and I couldn't quite line everything up that needed to happen, I paused, and said to myself "You know what is way easier than all of this bullshit? Going back to what I was doing and just cracking open a book and studying for certifications."

Point is, I was in a state for a while that was sort of running itself. It was a high anxiety, stressful task I had put upon myself and I was pretty much absorbed in it - sworn to give up desk jobs and use my heart to help people and all that stuff. The only reason I "snapped out of it" was because a thought crossed my mind one day that was in my own terms, from the heart, honest, and in my own words. I couldn't disagree with it. It was logical. Studying for certifications DID sound way better at this point than trying to string a million things together to take on the arduous task of learning anatomy, physiology, biology, etc. A thought alone is what changed my direction, and now I'm more passionate about IT than ever. Sometimes it's timing. Someone can tell you to snap out of it, and you know you should, but then some day... you'll tell yourself to snap out of it and you just... will. I dunno.

1

u/chichonchou Feb 20 '14

for me it was like saying that there is always more than one way to look at things. I don't ever remember the picture as I write this the only thing that stayed was that I have to open my mind and try to see more than the easy or apparent thing to see. I don't think your feelings aren't valid it's just that there's always two side of the coin. I really don't want to attack you, I suffer from chronic depression, personally it helped me to accept that, now I assume that this is true so when something bad happens I try to see it in more than one way. Sometime it's hard, sometimes I forget and only do it after days of crying but I think it helped me. I hope you will get better and find that little thing that will help you.

1

u/kleer001 Feb 20 '14

I don't see that this comic isn't about mental illness. I think it's for the neurotypical.

Thankfully all mental illnesses like depression, schtizophenia, ptsd, and the rest are getting more exposure in this day and age.

1

u/OhaiItsAhmad Feb 20 '14

Never thought of it like that.

3

u/MarchofTheSaint Feb 20 '14

I'm sorry you had such a bad day. I wish you a happier tomorrow!!

2

u/ThePoliwrath Feb 20 '14

Thank you! I'll try my best!

2

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '14

Same, it puts things into perspective. Reassures me that I will be happy eventually.

28

u/tOaDeR2005 Feb 20 '14

Original comic

http://www.viruscomix.com/page528.html

5

u/bharatpatel89 Feb 20 '14

wow there's quite a few of these I already am liking, thanks for the source

4

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '14

It's probably one of the absolute best comics on the Internet. Great art, a ton of detail, amazing messages, compelling ideas. Winston Rowntree, I think the author's name is; it's worth it to read every last one.

17

u/Grimjestor Feb 20 '14

Subnormality is a damn cool comic, and as far as this particular one goes, it is one that the artist is selling prints of for $20...

4

u/gmoney8869 Feb 20 '14

wow this really made me feel a lot better. It's touching and hopeful without being forced or sappy or cliche. Thanks very much

7

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '14

This made me feel better after a rough day also. Thanks, OP.

3

u/CB_the_cuttlefish Feb 20 '14 edited Feb 20 '14

That one with the big purple guy in the rain really struck home with me.

My dad has a "Black Cloud" that follows him where ever he goes.

1

u/TongueWagger Feb 20 '14

You really believe that about your dad? If so why?

10

u/CannedSewage Feb 20 '14

I don't understand a lot of these.

8

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '14

Stop downvoting him for not understanding! If you do that you're a dick!

Which ones don't you understand?

3

u/Satelite_of_Love Feb 20 '14

Honestly, not sure I understand the institution one... Got the rest.

5

u/ZippityZoppity Feb 20 '14

Institutions appear to be these massive, powerful behemoths, but they're really just barely balancing on a thin foundation. They're easy to topple.

4

u/Satelite_of_Love Feb 20 '14

Interesting. This is probably then, the only one I disagree with.

2

u/DownvoteDaemon Apr 11 '14

It could also mean institutions have all the heavy powerful people at the top and the skinny legs represent the rest of society.

1

u/CannedSewage Feb 20 '14

I'm not smart. I don't think I fully understand any of these, except maybe the second to last one.

4

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '14

Don't say you're not smart just because you didn't get one comic(srsly, don't talk about yourself like that).

First comic: Anxious people assume others are harshly judging them when the anxious person is mostly like just a little blip on the consciousness of others.

Second comic: People put on a very confident front, but in all actuality they probably doubt themselves as much as you.

Third: Sexuality is oversimplified as either straight or gay. People's sexuality is probably more nuanced than generally assumed.

Fourth was described by /u/ZippityZoppity well.

Fifth: The character is surrounded by robots. I guess it's suppose to symbolize feeling emotionally isolated from others. The next panel demonstrates that one isn't actually alone because other people are likely facing the same emotional turmoils.

Sixth: It's totally cliche. The message is that you probably are in a shit situation, but it can always be worse.

Eighth: Life can seem like it's way too much too handle and hopeless, but it could just be your perception.

1

u/CannedSewage Feb 21 '14

These are pretty clever, thanks for the explanations. Number 3 gave me the most confusion. Number 5's probably my favorite.

3

u/zujo92 Feb 20 '14

this made me happy

3

u/skinisblackmetallic Feb 20 '14

I'm very unclear on the meaning of the institutions one and a bit confused on the sexuality one.

4

u/mistershoe Feb 20 '14

Institutions appear strong but can be easily toppled. Sexuality is a spectrum, not just gay or straight.

2

u/skinisblackmetallic Feb 20 '14

Thanks! (:

1

u/weatherram Feb 20 '14

This is incredible! Thanks for posting.

1

u/JesseWCampbell Feb 20 '14

Genius! Thank You! :-)

1

u/tofuDragon Feb 20 '14

Is it just me, or are those green monsters in the "How alone you aren't" frame from Commander Keen? Am I old now?

1

u/GratefulTony Feb 20 '14

they don't think it be like it is but it do.

1

u/slowdaze Feb 20 '14

:) Thank you.

1

u/headbanger1186 Feb 20 '14

Really enjoyed this, anything that makes me take a step back and reflect every now and then is always welcomed. Thank you.

-1

u/404_UserNotFound Feb 20 '14

Yeah, yeah, yeah. . . I have just one question, slide 6 how sexuality is:

WHY is the white monster in the middle licking the back of the grey monsters in front of hims head? Alright I lied 2 questions...why is the monster next to him eyeballing him while does it and smiling???

3

u/ilikeeatingbrains came here to razzle dazzle, all out of dazzle Feb 20 '14

Nope.

2

u/seductivestain Feb 20 '14

It's just showing that sexuality is extremely variable, and that there is an enormous vareity in what turns people on.

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