Norwegian cartoonist makes comic strip about depression
Even though mental illness can't be seen, sometimes
depression feels like a tangible thing -- even more tangible than our own
bodies. And it's hard to believe it can't be noticed by the world, as obvious
as a tumor on our foreheads.
Many people describe depression as a “black hole.” But the
most accurate portrayal of mental illness I have ever seen comes from Norwegian
cartoonist Kristian Nygård.
He drew depression as a black skeleton, which he calls a “charcoal
being,” wearing his human body like a suit. For those dealing with depression,
this can be what it feels like – like you have to fake a smile and fake even being
human to the rest of the world.
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| Photo from optipess.com |
In an interview with Bustle, Nygård said, "I think the
'charcoal' beings and the person suits came to me when I was feeling especially
disillusioned and dissatisfied about myself, and how we all might just be collectively
faking it to get by.”
Nygård’s comics are called “Optipess” (combining the words “optimism”
and “pessimism”). Although his comics are about various different topics, his
drawings about depression have received the most praise. He said he tries to
find humor even in the darkest subjects.
He told Bustle, “At first I was a bit wary about doing
comics about these subjects but the response was usually very positive, which
sometimes inspired me to delve even further down into the abyss.”
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