The Hilarious World of Depression

by John Moe

Depressed people have an urge to make good things into ugly messes to better match their state of mind.

“All Dave wanted,” I told Charlie, “was to get into your heart and get you into his. He wanted to put love in your heart and let you have that feeling, that knowledge, that warm wonderful certainty of a connection. And he gave you that, right?” He had, Charlie agreed. “And it’s still there. And it hurts like crazy right now, but it’s love and it’s good. A dog comes to a person or a family as an ambassador of love. And we put up with all the barking and the floor poo because of that love. Once that love is established, the rest of that dog’s life is a party to celebrate the mission being accomplished. And as Prince tell us, parties aren’t meant to last.”

Here are two terms that I think are largely useless. One is “feeling sorry for my/yourself.” People use that one to knock people who are trying, usually unsuccessfully, to deal with something. They’re not feeling sorry for themselves; they’re trying to deal with a situation and are often severely outmatched because their temperament, experience, and emotional makeup are not up to the task at hand. But! But! They are trying to handle it. So instead of describing folks that way, maybe try to help, or at least cut them/yourself some slack.

What I’ve learned, and I had to be taught this because I’ve never lived it, is that opening up about depression can feel like giving one more weapon to someone who you know can use it against you.