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I Had a Black Dog: His Name Was Depression
There are many different breeds of Black Dog affecting millions of people from all walks of life. The Black Dog is an equal opportunity mongrel. It was Winston Churchill who popularized the phrase Black Dog to describe the bouts of depression he experienced for much of his life. Matthew Johnstone, a sufferer himself, has written and illustrated this moving and uplifting insight into what it is like to have a Black Dog as a companion and how he learned to tame it and bring it to heel.
48 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
33 people are currently reading
1434 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Johnstone
17 books54 followersMatthew Johnstone is a passionate mental health and wellbeing advocate. He's an author, illustrator, photographer, public speaker and is also the creative director at the Black Dog Institute. He lives in Sydney Australia with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
March 30, 2016
To be honest, I got this book from my library's biography section - initially I just thought it was some sort of graphic biography, but the title does of course refer to Churchill's black dog...as he called his bouts of depression.
In fact the whole book is about the experience of depression. But, before you turn away - it is the most user-friendly (and surprisingly delightful) book that I have ever seen on the subject. Whether you are an outsider who's had friends who have suffered with depression, or if you have been mired in this horrible illness yourself - this book is a great read. It is written with such understanding and kindness. It's deceptively simple. There are a few words incorporated with the pix, and they complement them perfectly - each picture comes to life - rich with insight and compassion.
Doing anything or going anywhere with black dog requires superhuman strength
Black dog could make me irritable and difficult to be around
The end of the book gently suggests some ways forward - the reader doesn't just end up in the middle of a description about depression. There is hope too.
This is such an unusual little book, and I think it's quite wonderful.
In fact the whole book is about the experience of depression. But, before you turn away - it is the most user-friendly (and surprisingly delightful) book that I have ever seen on the subject. Whether you are an outsider who's had friends who have suffered with depression, or if you have been mired in this horrible illness yourself - this book is a great read. It is written with such understanding and kindness. It's deceptively simple. There are a few words incorporated with the pix, and they complement them perfectly - each picture comes to life - rich with insight and compassion.
Doing anything or going anywhere with black dog requires superhuman strength
Black dog could make me irritable and difficult to be around
The end of the book gently suggests some ways forward - the reader doesn't just end up in the middle of a description about depression. There is hope too.
This is such an unusual little book, and I think it's quite wonderful.
June 1, 2018
Black Dog has come to be a metaphor to many people for Depression. There are many myths about a black dog that visits before death. Neil Gaiman wrote one.
I wanted to read this but the only copy I could get here is in Polish, so I had to get each line translated. That is commitment, right? But in the process of doing this, I found the book translated in a YouTube video, narrated by the author, so you can have it read to you here. Millions of people have seen it, sponsored by the World Health Organization:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6_8e...
It's a memoir comic (though it looks like a smallish picture book or illustrated book) that elegantly depicts various relations Matthew has with The Black Dog, or depression. It's powerful and moving and insightful in all the metaphors it has for how depression can impact you, the dog sits on your chest, it sleeps between you and your wife, it sits on the table while you eat (ruining your appetite), at some points living inside of you, completely controlling you.
This book is helpful whether you know someone with depression or are living it. I do not typically suffer from depression but I have a son who is experiencing it with increasing severity. Doesn't everyone know someone with severe depression?
Nick Drake's "Black Dog":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pabxh...
I wanted to read this but the only copy I could get here is in Polish, so I had to get each line translated. That is commitment, right? But in the process of doing this, I found the book translated in a YouTube video, narrated by the author, so you can have it read to you here. Millions of people have seen it, sponsored by the World Health Organization:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6_8e...
It's a memoir comic (though it looks like a smallish picture book or illustrated book) that elegantly depicts various relations Matthew has with The Black Dog, or depression. It's powerful and moving and insightful in all the metaphors it has for how depression can impact you, the dog sits on your chest, it sleeps between you and your wife, it sits on the table while you eat (ruining your appetite), at some points living inside of you, completely controlling you.
This book is helpful whether you know someone with depression or are living it. I do not typically suffer from depression but I have a son who is experiencing it with increasing severity. Doesn't everyone know someone with severe depression?
Nick Drake's "Black Dog":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pabxh...
June 1, 2018
Czarny Pies is Polish for Black Dog, which has come to mean for many people Depression.
I wanted to read this but it was written in Polish, so I had to get each line translated. That is commitment, right? But in the process I found it translated in a YouTube video, narrated by the author, so you can have it read to you here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6_8e...
It's a memoir comic (though it looks like a smallish picture book or illustrated book) that elegantly depicts various relations Matthew has with The Black Dog, or depression. It's powerful and moving and helpful whether you know someone with depression or are living it. I do not typically suffer from depression but I have a son who is experiencing it with increasing severity. Doesn't everyone know someone with severe depression?
Nick Drake's "Black Dog":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pabxh...
I wanted to read this but it was written in Polish, so I had to get each line translated. That is commitment, right? But in the process I found it translated in a YouTube video, narrated by the author, so you can have it read to you here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6_8e...
It's a memoir comic (though it looks like a smallish picture book or illustrated book) that elegantly depicts various relations Matthew has with The Black Dog, or depression. It's powerful and moving and helpful whether you know someone with depression or are living it. I do not typically suffer from depression but I have a son who is experiencing it with increasing severity. Doesn't everyone know someone with severe depression?
Nick Drake's "Black Dog":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pabxh...
October 23, 2016
If you know someone or have suffered yourself with some form of mental health, then you need to read this book. It is incredibly short and has probably less than 200 words in the whole thing. And yet it perfectly encapsulates what life with depression is really like. This is poignant and hard-hitting but a necessary read. I identified with it so much and the mixture of text and illustration helped me to truly visualize my own demons.
There is a Youtube video to go along with the book, and it can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrn...
There is a Youtube video to go along with the book, and it can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrn...
March 1, 2015
Winston Churchill's black dog euphemism for depression is given form by author and illustrator Matthew Johnstone. He skillfully reveals his personal navigation through the seven hells of depression to the light at the end of the very long tunnel. As Churchill once said, "if you're going through hell, keep going." Johnstone sought treatment, told his family and friends and learned how to control the dreaded beast so he could finally enjoy life again.
While I do believe this picture book is accessible to all - including children - with its simple language and warm illustrations, its impact on me was . . . not what I expected. We're more informed and accepting of depression now than we were when I Had a Black Dog was first published in 2005. Ten years is a long time culturally. I know that had I read this back then, I'd be giving it a standing ovation for its accurate depiction of the most common mental illness.
The above page represents one of the aspects I struggled with for years. Every month, as part of my PMS symptoms, I suffered with cripplingly low self-esteem. Every memory from the minor slip ups to bigger mistakes I thought I'd made in my life would cycle through my mind. It was mental torture. Paranoia was one of the side effects, sometimes so terrible I had to leave work before I had a spectacular meltdown. Which leads on to The Fear.
The Fear that everyone will find out and judge you.
Although today we're more open and understanding about depression, there's still room for improvement.
To those who argue the 'black dog' isn't real, the foreword - written by a professor of clinical psychology and head of mental health for Derbyshire - explains the biological basis for the condition reflected in structural and chemical changes in the brain.
I'd definitely recommend I Had a Black Dog to everyone who wants to understand what it means to be depressed.
While I do believe this picture book is accessible to all - including children - with its simple language and warm illustrations, its impact on me was . . . not what I expected. We're more informed and accepting of depression now than we were when I Had a Black Dog was first published in 2005. Ten years is a long time culturally. I know that had I read this back then, I'd be giving it a standing ovation for its accurate depiction of the most common mental illness.
The above page represents one of the aspects I struggled with for years. Every month, as part of my PMS symptoms, I suffered with cripplingly low self-esteem. Every memory from the minor slip ups to bigger mistakes I thought I'd made in my life would cycle through my mind. It was mental torture. Paranoia was one of the side effects, sometimes so terrible I had to leave work before I had a spectacular meltdown. Which leads on to The Fear.
The Fear that everyone will find out and judge you.
Because of the shame and stigma associated with Black Dog. I became a champion at fooling everyone, both at home and at work. Keeping up an emotional lie takes an incredible amount of energy. It's like trying to cover up epilepsy, a heart attach, or diabetes.
Although today we're more open and understanding about depression, there's still room for improvement.
To those who argue the 'black dog' isn't real, the foreword - written by a professor of clinical psychology and head of mental health for Derbyshire - explains the biological basis for the condition reflected in structural and chemical changes in the brain.
I'd definitely recommend I Had a Black Dog to everyone who wants to understand what it means to be depressed.
February 14, 2018
Clearly and simply presented, Johnstone shares his experience of depression (his "Black Dog") with dignity, self-awareness and, most importantly, self-acceptance. His illustrations allow him to convey the melancholy enervation of depression using relatively few words, but still communicating a deep empathy. It's a book that takes just a few minutes to deliver its powerful, humane message.
Highly recommended if you're struggling to articulate your own experience - it should help others who don't experience depression to understand that it's not just being "fed up" or "a bit sad", and that you can't just "snap out of it" - and a comfort to know that you're not alone in struggling with your own Black Dog.
Highly recommended if you're struggling to articulate your own experience - it should help others who don't experience depression to understand that it's not just being "fed up" or "a bit sad", and that you can't just "snap out of it" - and a comfort to know that you're not alone in struggling with your own Black Dog.
September 16, 2011
After wading unsuccessfully through self-help books, I came across a few good reviews of this book and decided to give it a try.
I've never really understood why depression is referred to as the 'black dog' as it seems to give the impression that it is something entirely seperate from yourself. Although this might be the opinion of an observer, it can feel almost impossible to distinguish between the illness and your own personality when in the depths of depression.
Despite this, I absolutely loved this book. In 200 words it completely explained what an entire self-help section of a bookshop could not: what it feels like to have depression. The cartoons, although simple, were also hugely meaningful, and detailed enough to require few words.
Although every picture illustrates a different aspect of depression, there was one particular page that really struck a chord. The caption reads 'activities that usually brought me pleasure suddenly ceased to', with an illustration of the man trying to fly a kite, but failing because the dog is sitting on the string. I started crying somewhat hysterically at that point, because I have never seen anything that so simply and beautifully represents the frustration of trying desperately to lift your spirits with an activity that you once loved, but being unable to gain any pleasure from it whatsoever.
Apart from being a huge source of comfort to know that I'm not alone, this is a great way to explain to others what it feels like to have depression, and why a sufferer may be acting in an uncharacteristic way. I'll be sharing this with my family!
I've never really understood why depression is referred to as the 'black dog' as it seems to give the impression that it is something entirely seperate from yourself. Although this might be the opinion of an observer, it can feel almost impossible to distinguish between the illness and your own personality when in the depths of depression.
Despite this, I absolutely loved this book. In 200 words it completely explained what an entire self-help section of a bookshop could not: what it feels like to have depression. The cartoons, although simple, were also hugely meaningful, and detailed enough to require few words.
Although every picture illustrates a different aspect of depression, there was one particular page that really struck a chord. The caption reads 'activities that usually brought me pleasure suddenly ceased to', with an illustration of the man trying to fly a kite, but failing because the dog is sitting on the string. I started crying somewhat hysterically at that point, because I have never seen anything that so simply and beautifully represents the frustration of trying desperately to lift your spirits with an activity that you once loved, but being unable to gain any pleasure from it whatsoever.
Apart from being a huge source of comfort to know that I'm not alone, this is a great way to explain to others what it feels like to have depression, and why a sufferer may be acting in an uncharacteristic way. I'll be sharing this with my family!
October 12, 2021
Winston Churchill famously compared his depression to a black dog. (Which is, if you think about it, rather unfair to black dogs.) This simple, illustrated book talks about one of the most common mental illnesses in a way that will be instantly familiar to those who suffer from it and will be a very basic primer for those who do not.
The illustration choices were quite clever, such as the man who sees everything through black dog-shaped glasses and the idea that each sufferer has his or her own unique black dog.
The illustration choices were quite clever, such as the man who sees everything through black dog-shaped glasses and the idea that each sufferer has his or her own unique black dog.
July 6, 2015
This is probably the best visualisation of depression I've seen. It makes it easy for people who don't understand the illness to understand.
March 29, 2020
"This is a very very short book and you can read the whole thing in minutes. You may say I am adding to make sure I reach my challenge for 2016 but it is much more than that.
This morning I reviewed Jon Ronson's 'So You've Been Publicly Shamed', a book about shaming on the internet. In my review I took a small tangent into the world of online trolls and how they may effect people, one of whom was an Australian television presenter named Charlotte Dawson. As I said at the end of my review I had never met or spoken with Charlotte, in fact I did not know her beyond my television screen. Charlotte took her own life in 2014..... please google her story if you want the facts behind it.
During the day today I got around to thinking a
bout I had a Black Dog based on what I spoke about this morning. I have read this several times before but I purposely took it out and re-read it today. This book should be read the world over but sufferers of depression and by those who are there for them. However this book's biggest target should be those non believers, those that say ""get over it mate"" or ""cheer up"". Those people who say depression is an excuse to miss school or work, avoid going out or just being mean.
The book looks like a children's picture book only it has a message. Taken from one man's point of view as he describes his depression (The black dog) and how it makes him feel, project to others and generally how it runs his life.
Read this book cover to cover (like I said it will only take minutes) but don't laugh at it or give it only a passing glance. I mean READ IT. Take in every world and imagine what this guy is feeling, saying. Think of how foreign those thoughts are to all o
f you non believers. Never have I seen another book so descriptive of the day to day struggles faced by these people."
This morning I reviewed Jon Ronson's 'So You've Been Publicly Shamed', a book about shaming on the internet. In my review I took a small tangent into the world of online trolls and how they may effect people, one of whom was an Australian television presenter named Charlotte Dawson. As I said at the end of my review I had never met or spoken with Charlotte, in fact I did not know her beyond my television screen. Charlotte took her own life in 2014..... please google her story if you want the facts behind it.
During the day today I got around to thinking a
bout I had a Black Dog based on what I spoke about this morning. I have read this several times before but I purposely took it out and re-read it today. This book should be read the world over but sufferers of depression and by those who are there for them. However this book's biggest target should be those non believers, those that say ""get over it mate"" or ""cheer up"". Those people who say depression is an excuse to miss school or work, avoid going out or just being mean.
The book looks like a children's picture book only it has a message. Taken from one man's point of view as he describes his depression (The black dog) and how it makes him feel, project to others and generally how it runs his life.
Read this book cover to cover (like I said it will only take minutes) but don't laugh at it or give it only a passing glance. I mean READ IT. Take in every world and imagine what this guy is feeling, saying. Think of how foreign those thoughts are to all o
f you non believers. Never have I seen another book so descriptive of the day to day struggles faced by these people."
July 22, 2011
A brilliant book of cartoons, joined together in a narrative to tell the story of the author's battle with depression. For such a simple, short book, it was so very telling, moving, and incredibly perceptive. It really proves that it's possible to say something important with so little words, as long as the author has the ability to absolutely put their finger on what they want to say. This author is able to do that, and the images, together with their accompanying captions, are exquisite in their precision of the points being made. It will take you about 10 minutes to read, but it should be read more like a book of poetry: for me, the meaning grows every day as I revisit some of the images. It's very powerful!
April 16, 2017
A super powerful and accurate visualisation of depression and its side effects, definitely recommended for anyone having trouble understanding what this illness is all about and how it truly feels like.
September 15, 2020
This is very accessible and yet very effective. Simple drawings and descriptions, but they show how depressions feels from the inside. It might give outsiders a glimpse into the states and feelings of the sickness and insiders might see that they are not alone with these states and feelings. I still prefer the second volume adressed to the ones who live with a depressed person. There is more practical advice in it and I find it more useful to start a conversation about the sickness. Nevertheless, this is a very good helper both for the depressed and those others who want to get an understanding of this terrible disease (perhaps it will get the five stars later).
September 23, 2022
Widziałam różne komentarze dotyczące tej publikacji. Wśród nich wielokrotnie pojawiało się podobne stwierdzenie: "wszystko spoko, tylko brzmi to jak 'idź pobiegaj, to ci przejdzie'". Nie zgadzam się z tym. Ta opinia redukuje książkę do jednej strony i przez nadmierne skupienie na jednej kwestii pomija całą resztę... Poza tym nie jest tajemnicą, że pierwszą interwencją wprowadzaną w trakcie leczenia depresji jest aktywizacja behawioralna (czyli m.in. aktywność fizyczna), zatem zarzucanie autorowi, że wspomniał o ruchu jest raczej przejawem ignorancji i zero-jedynkowego myślenia. Moim zdaniem pozycja jest bardzo ciekawie zrobiona i w przystępny sposób (i w niewielu słowach) pokazuje istotę depresji.
June 30, 2009
This may be one of the shortest books I've ever read, but it's also probably one of the most important. The things that I just haven't been able to put into words are expressed perfectly here and, for the first time, I feel that others, family and friends for example, could grasp it if they read the book too. Importantly, the book has made me feel that it may be possible to take control of the Black Dog. Brilliant book-everyone should read it.
September 15, 2009
I try and get people to read this, its so short it shouldn't come across as an imposition, and its cartoons convey things that are so hard to put into words. I pass it to people who are depressed so that they realise that others feel this way too, they are not alone, and I pass it to people who I want to understand where I am coming from.
May 22, 2014
This book says as much about depression in 200 words as other books take 200+ pages to say. A must-read for anyone who may come across depression, so everyone! It should be made available to everyone by being stocked in all libraries, especially school libraries. It would even be a great addition to the school curriculum!
October 7, 2020
Looking back, Black Dog had been in and out
of my life since my early twenties.
Whenever he made an appearance, I felt empty
and life just seemed to slow down.
The Black Dog has affected so many of us at one stage or another and currently is quite involved in my daily life. This simple, yet incredibly effective, graphic novel com self help book explains how it affects me in such a simple way and accessible way.
Matthew Johnstone has created something here that will allow anyone with a Black Dog of their own explain their situation to friends, family, colleagues, et al. I thoroughly recommend that everyone reads this!
of my life since my early twenties.
Whenever he made an appearance, I felt empty
and life just seemed to slow down.
The Black Dog has affected so many of us at one stage or another and currently is quite involved in my daily life. This simple, yet incredibly effective, graphic novel com self help book explains how it affects me in such a simple way and accessible way.
Matthew Johnstone has created something here that will allow anyone with a Black Dog of their own explain their situation to friends, family, colleagues, et al. I thoroughly recommend that everyone reads this!
Read
June 29, 2017This is a short book depicting depression in a visual way. I can image it could be a good starting point for those suffering with depressing to see that they are not alone or for those who have friends with depressions to start getting an understanding of what their friend is going through. A well put together book.
October 16, 2018
คำว่า black dog หรือหมาดำ ที่คำเปรียบเปรยที่สื่อถึง depression หรือโรคซึมเศร้า คนแรกที่เปรียบเทียบโรคซึมเศร้าว่าเป็นหมาดำคือ Samuel Johnson ส่วนคนที่ทำให้คำนี้เป็นที่นิยมในการเปรียบเปรยคือ Winston Churchill อดีตนายกอังกฤษ
ส่วนหนังสือ I had a black dog ของ Matthew Johnstone จะอ่านก็ได้ ไม่อ่านก็ได้ ไม่ได้มีอะไรใหม่ หรือน่าแปลกใจ
ส่วนหนังสือ I had a black dog ของ Matthew Johnstone จะอ่านก็ได้ ไม่อ่านก็ได้ ไม่ได้มีอะไรใหม่ หรือน่าแปลกใจ
June 7, 2022
I was at the local library when I spotted this in the mental health awareness section. It's a short picture book walking you through the effect that depression has had on the author's life. I thought it was nice and simple and the illustrations went well with the text. :)
October 31, 2018
An excellent and very accessable exploration of the metaphor.
November 19, 2019
Highly recommended to teach your kids about depression
August 3, 2020
Really helpful analogy of what it’s like to move through life with depression.
September 18, 2020
Really very beautiful, as further proof that a picture can be worth more than a thousand words.
Veramente molto bello, ad ulteriore riprova che un'immagine puó valere piú di mille parole.
Veramente molto bello, ad ulteriore riprova che un'immagine puó valere piú di mille parole.
August 1, 2021
كتاب موضح بالصور
مختصر مفيد
يصف الاكتئاب
وكيفية التعامل معه
مختصر مفيد
يصف الاكتئاب
وكيفية التعامل معه
April 15, 2017
My Mum recommended this book to me after a discussion about depression, and I'm so glad she did. The book thoroughly describes how I feel when I'm depressed, and although I've never suffered from extremely long periods of depression, they've been long enough to be able to see myself in this book.
February 5, 2022
Resourceful and informative.
Must be in high school and college curriculum.
Must be in high school and college curriculum.
February 17, 2020
Lovely little story about depression in the shape of a black dog. If you suffer from depression it is an uplifting read and if you are lucky enough not to suffer from depression, I still recommend reading it, as it gives a very realistic and helpful insight in to what it feels like to have to live with a 'black dog'. Remember it's okay to talk about your black dog, don't feel like you have to deal with him by yourself!
May 20, 2019
Beautifully illustrated and communicated. Some particular pages rang more than true for me and it's useful and helps to see the way others articulate their own depression.
With such a simple read, I'll be passing this on to my family members to read so that they have a little more insight into what goes on inside my own head.
With such a simple read, I'll be passing this on to my family members to read so that they have a little more insight into what goes on inside my own head.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews