Many people who live every day in pain feel like
the Black Dog is hounding them. And it feels like the dog never gives up.
The Black Dog is one of the main characters in a
brilliant cartoon put out by the World Health Organization. The Black Dog is a
constant and heavy presence in the life of a depressed man in this cartoon.
This cartoon perfectly illustrates the symptoms of depression and how it can
affect almost all parts of our lives.
Many people who watch this cartoon will say that
the Black Dog is like the constant pain they feel. The heavy and intruding
presence of the Black. Dog is partly from pain and partly from the depression,
caused by the pain. Sometimes, it is difficult to separate out these two parts,
because pain is a much more vivid and salient symptom.
Over 90% of my patients suffer from
chronic or long-term pain. Many suffer from pain + depression. The depression
comes, not only from the suffering caused by their constant pain, but also from
the limitations and losses caused by their pain.
What is depression? Let this
animation with a dog sheds light on it.
Please check out this brief video. It
is well worth a few moments of your time. Here is the link:
http://www.upworthy.com/what-is-depression-let-this-animation-with-a-dog-shed-light-on-it
I hope this illustration can help explain the
mysteries of pain + depression and help your life in even a small way.
Yours with care - Mike