“The Big black dog follows us everywhere, as their tail wags with happiness the opposite comes to us, their howls of anxiety at night that keep us awake and the pitch-black thunder clouds that they put in our heads with menacing thunderstruck of sadness and regrets. They latch their fangs into us, distributing a disease of sorrow and madness. Their claws leave scars of pain and memories of disappointment that repeat from time to time. It’s an endless battle of emotion and thoughts. They are waiting for the right time to pounce and hold into us then drain every drop of positivity.” How can we end this rage of darkness? Is there any way to turn this cold dark place into a warm bit of sunshine?
The big black dog is a metaphor for depression for William Churchill, is a wild beast companion, if not manage it will grow large and eventually consuming you with negativity. If not controlled in the early state like putting it in a leash, it will be destructive and can cause a serious problem if not managed well.
Art therapy is one of the ways to cage the Big black dog, It’s a colorful leash that involves your imagination and ideas through art. According to Douglas Mitchel (2012), Art therapy has become an effective treatment in supporting, releasing, and integrating the symptoms of depression by supporting you in exploring depression via the senses. Although art might seem less conventional, it can be just as effective as talk therapy because it utilizes the whole body experience and not just the intellect. Researchers found that mindful art therapy significantly reduced levels of depression, anxiety, aggression, and anger. Although the study was small in several participants and focused specifically on people with heart disease, the research offers promising and creative methods to relieve stress, reduce depression, and better manage anxiety and anger. Many of the activities can be done at home on your own and are a simple, fun way to introduce mindfulness into your daily life by Marlynn Wei (2018).
Arts seems to lead us in a new world, some would say it’s their place to escape from the toxic reality. It’s their instrument to let go of the pessimism. Form of arts and tools like coloring books, painting, and other things that you can focus on, it can help you battle and forget about the wild beast. If you are not able to speak your problem by words then express it through art. Creative hobbies can surely save your mental health. Making your mind strong and also finding yourself another skill or ability that you might pursue in the future.
If you are battling depression or another kind of stress, let the acrylics and pencils help you relieve your emotional and mental pain. Approach your big black dog with your inventiveness to soften its growl, grip on its leash and tie it on a tree of positivity.
References:
Wei M. M.D, J.D(2018)Mindfulness Art Therapy Can Reduce Depression and Anxiety
:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/urban-survival/201803/mindfulness-art-therapy-can-reduce-depression-and-anxiety
Douglas, M. LMFT(2012)Art Therapy as a Treatment for Depression
:goodtherapy.org/blog/art-therapy-depression-expression-0619125
Featured photo by Roth Society
L'amour de L'art 