One of the worst things for someone who suffers from depression is an abundance of time. Time means reflection. Time means the inability to ignore the voice in your head that convincingly criticises, that obscures the world and your place in it. Time means no more excuses left to ignore the visiting black dog. In fact, time without distraction means there is no choice other than to acknowledge and to be forced to interact with the black dog.
Ever wonder why someone packs so much into their life? That they seem to be manically running from thing to thing? Or why they are working so hard? Filling each second with activities, events, people? Or seemingly engrossed in silly things like completing complex 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles, one after the other?
It's because being busy makes it easier to ignore the black dog. It gives you something to focus on. Something to take the focus away from the visiting black dog.
So please think twice before you insist that alone time is a good thing. That quiet time to reflect is the only way to grow. That filling your life with mindless activities means nothing. For people like me, it means the world. It means acres of time where a semblance of sanity prevails. And sometimes, that is the best (and only) defence against the persistent yowling of the black dog.
If someone you knows suffers from depression, give them something to do. Not only will it help take the focus away from their personal black dog, it may also give them a sense usefulness. A simple thing that you can do, which would mean the world to a friend in need of a distraction.
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