Commentary from Published November 10, 2016
Whenever I show how sleep is affected by depression I always show it from my own perspective, that is, a lack of sleep or insomnia. However, depression is often an illness of opposites and extremes, and many people suffer from the opposite problem and that is sleeping too much. Although both sides are extreme, it’s interesting to note they both have the same result — whether you sleep too little or too much one may never feel like they had a good sleep and awake drained, dreading a new day. But what’s worse is that with a late start the day feels wasted as well.
Art wise, the thing with depression comics is that a lot of the comics happen in bed, and it’s getting more and more difficult to find novel ways to show this. I really don’t want this to be a cut and paste comic like so many other comics are, it’s important for me to do every panel by hand. But at the same time, it’s not very visually interesting. Recently I’ve been drawing a few Sexy Losers comics just so that I’d have a little bit of variation in what I draw.
Art wise, the thing with depression comics is that a lot of the comics happen in bed, and it’s getting more and more difficult to find novel ways to show this. I really don’t want this to be a cut and paste comic like so many other comics are, it’s important for me to do every panel by hand. But at the same time, it’s not very visually interesting. Recently I’ve been drawing a few Sexy Losers comics just so that I’d have a little bit of variation in what I draw.
Every single time, my first thought is, “Shit, I’m still alive.”
Truth hurts
Agreed
I said almost the exact thing to a co-worker 14 months ago. He reported me. The next day the cops were at my door. This one makes my heart ache because it is SO true.
Anyone else agree?
Definitely me lately
Add to that that it will feel like a wasted day whatever you do now. Hard to get out of this.
All of your work is relatable, but this one hits close to home.
Cool info thanks
Waking up, being irritated at being awake. Realising how many hours have passed and then new irritation over still feeling tired etc. Yeah, been there.
This is way too relatable
Yup.
Painfully accurate
Excellent Clay… Any more on getting men to talk about mental health?
I did one on toxic masculinity a while back, and if there’s anything to be said on the topic that would make a good four panel strip I will try my best.
No matter how much I sleep it never seems to be enough. Being plagued with unpleasant dreams and frequent bouts of insomnia does not help.
Great work Clay! Once again, you’ve drawn an evocative comic that applies to depression, but also to many other chronic illnesses. Nonrestorative sleep is a horrible feature of Sleep Apnea, ME/CFS/SEID and narcolepsy; to name just three.
Maybe I am the exception, but the more sleep I get, the better I am able to deal with the symptoms and difficulties through the day. Yes, the thoughts and fears do come crashing or trickling back once I’ve been awake a while, but I feel less overwhelmed than when I am dog tired from going to sleep late.
Exactly
Important Post
I’m so tired all the time. I wake up tired and I stay tired all day until I sleep again.
We need research that isn’t just sponsored by pharmaceutical companies trying to sell pills. Sleep problems of some kind (over/under, non-restorative, nightmares, interrupted) are pretty much the one diagnostic feature that we all have in common. Some of this is environmental, not endogenous, and it’s the classic chicken/egg problem – are you not sleeping because you’re depressed, or depressed because you’re not sleeping?