Dragon Days

Say hello to the Anxiety dragon, he's been paying me alot of visits lately and I find he's often nearby when depression is about. So look forward to seeing some work with him in it soon.

Sorry for the delays, been rather busy with graduation and job seeking, but I'm making plans on digitizing the comic and the art as a painting software I picked up really lets me ink as I would IRL and much faster and cleaner....let alone cheaper XD So hope to start updating ASAP

Coming off the diet and still doing your best to eat what  is good for you and enjoy it. Have the treats but not all the time and try to use self-control if you can't have some one close to you help.

A big problem with depression and one of the effects I suffer from is insomnia and worrying about trivial things when trying to sleep. It goes hand in hand with Anexity and often makes you feel pretty ill and rotten. Especially when what's niggling you is something completely out of your control such as whats going to happen tomorrow, why did I buy that game, what if someone breaks in? It niggles,pokes and prods you when you try to settle not letting you shut off and sleep no matter how tired you feel. Antidepressants can help with this or using meditation and chill out methods while preparing for bed such as a nice bubble bath and a cup of hot chocolate. Reading a book or playing a game before bed can help, so go to bed about half and hour earlier and give yourself this 30min slot to unwind and breathe. It helps immensely.

Depression tends to love crushing creative output. It feels like a really negative art block and often leads to you coming to hate your work and see everything negatively. What has helped me is getting your art out there onto the web via, Tumblr, Deviant art and your blogs. This lets other people, friends,family and strangers to see and comment upon your work. You'll be surprised how much positivity is out there. If I had not joined Deviant Art back in 2004 ish I would have stopped drawing all together and focused on getting a run of the mill job. Thanks to the support from the site I went on to art college and then to University and a Degree show. So You'll be amazed what a few good words can do!

As a treat I'll post this one today instead of tomorrow. Finally got myself in with my room mate Depression. One thing you need to be aware of with depression is its like its own being that lingers and follows you like a shadow. Often influencing how you act and react around others sort of how people personify your conscience into a devil and an angel, this is the lazy and grumpy lump, in my case a dragon. Who was once a huge source of inspiration til he turned from Muse to Depression. So both Depression and I are on a journey to try and fix this. As much as he may protest. I hope our journey can help educate others on what its like to have Depression and what it takes to live with it, let alone try to beat it back.

Had an experience of this yesterday. You will often feel lost, confused and muddled.Leading to frustration and anger then back down to despair and sadness. Its similar to an emotional roller-coaster but far more unpredictable and bewildering.

So I always keep a pack of pocket tissues on me when I'm out and about and do my best to recognise things that have triggered this crying fits before and do my utmost to then avoid them. Often when you open up to people the crying will often occur but this time its not to be scorned or embarrassed by. You are letting out the bottled emotions that have been subdued by the depression. And after having such a talk and wiping the tears I'm sure you'll feel far better. Sometimes you just need someone who will listen to you so you don't get overwhelmed with your muddled emotions.

Then this block can become comfort eating and the process just cycles itself. This is where check lists can help lend structure. Setting a daily routine and making finishing a task fulfilling and fun as you can create a small reward for each thing that is accomplished. Such as half an hour of gaming, TV, meal times, reading and other such activities.

Also finding what is a calming method is great to, so if you feel the anger rising switch off pick up what calms you then return to what you were doing before hand.

Like with many conditions it can effect people in different ways, I often have felt uninterested in eating then when out I can't help but get boxes of sweets and big greasy pizzas in an effort to feel better through comfort eating.

Welcome to the first post from Dragon Days a panel comic based upon the issues of depression and helping to raise awareness and to educate others on this condition that plagues so many people.