I recall a metaphor for depression that went something like this: “tipping into an episode, [depression] is like everybody else is onshore and I’m out in the water. I keep trying to get people’s attention (even though it is against my nature to bother or burden anybody) and I’m waving my hand. Thinking I’m greeting them, they wave back. That doesn’t seem right so I’ll put a hand up again. And they wave back. And this goes on and on and on, for what seems like forever and nobody understands that I’m not waving, I’m drowning. And that’s what [depression] feels like to me.”
The desperation is as real as drowning sometime, and anxiety lets me know that I don’t belong in the water. It’s all I’ve known for the longest time, but how does one get used to drowning? You don’t. You expire. With no one to wave to at times, I wish for a life preserver, a flotation device, driftwood, anything. Something to live for, purpose, air. Then I fear my overbearing weight will just send it under with me. It’s stupefying, depression. But what can you do? Write more metaphors I suppose, hope someone understands…
Just thought I’d leave this here. I realize this is probably a common metaphor for depression, but whatever. Also, if anyone has any tips on not feeling like complete absolute garbage, and maybe like an bomb-ass omelette recipe or something.
4 comments
Again a very good way to describe depression. But then when you find that thing to hold you up, it gets washed away before you get used to the idea of being able to breathe, and the next time your lungs fill with water is the last.
Unfortunately I don’t have any advice on “not feeling like absolute garbage” haha.
Here’s a recipe that may or may not be good http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/omelet-recipe.html
I completely understand. I think it’s a great metaphor. You want to reach out for a life preserver or something to make things better and you can’t find it. It can seem like it’s inches from the top of your head but can’t seem to cover you completely.
I’ve noticed that intuitive people seem the most depressed, I’m an INTP myself. Lmao asking for that omelet recipe!
Wow that is what mania feels like for me. I get pulled out by the rip tide (mania) and I’m waving frantically and everyone thinks I’m just enjoying myself and they wave back. wow. I really like that metaphore.
No one ever steps in to help. They just wave.