Here’s the first few paragraphs from the Walking The Black Dog blog. I think it says some interesting things about what it means to be depressed, as well as explaining the whole “black dog” thing.
Welcome to the land of the blues or more accurately – something more than the blues. Depression isn’t just a case of the blues or feeling a little off; everyone has those days. Depression is feeling overwhelmingly sad and devoid of any positive emotions – to the point where normally enjoyable activities seem empty or like a chore that requires just too much energy.
Winston Churchill described his own depression as a ‘black dog’ hence the name of this website. I’m sure you’ve seen people walking their dog and the dog is in complete control, peeing on every scent it comes upon, rolling on garbage, pulling its owner wherever it wants to go, jumping on people passing by and on and on.
Depression is a lot like an unruly dog, a big menacing black dog with a ferocious countenance. It may simply sit and watch you throughout the day staring holes through you or it may climb onto your lap and smother you with its weight. When depression enters your life it sucks the joy right out of you and affect everything & everyone in your life. Those commercials about ‘who does depression affect?’ are right on the money. It affects everyone right down to your dog.
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Kalea Chapman, Psy.D.
