Welcome to the land of the blues or more accurately - something more than the blues. Depression isn’t just a case of the blues or feeling a little off; everyone has those days. Depression is feeling overwhelmingly sad and devoid of any positive emotions - to the point where normally enjoyable activities seem empty or like a chore that requires just too much energy.

Winston Churchill described his own depression as a ‘black dog’ hence the name of this website. I’m sure you’ve seen people walking their dog and the dog is in complete control, peeing on every scent it comes upon, rolling on garbage, pulling its owner wherever it wants to go, jumping on people passing by and on and on.

Depression is a lot like an unruly dog, a big menacing black dog with a ferocious countenance. It may simply sit and watch you throughout the day staring holes through you or it may climb onto your lap and smother you with its weight. When depression enters your life it sucks the joy right out of you and affect everything & everyone in your life. Those commercials about ‘who does depression affect?’ are right on the money. It affects everyone right down to your dog.

I’m not a doctor or counselor (and I’ve never played one on t.v.) so don’t use me as a substitute for real help. I’ve had years of dealing with the rabid black dog that is clinical depression and have found some things that work and want to share that knowledge. If you are depressed or know someone who is, please make sure you/they get professional help. Don’t delude yourself into thinking that you can ’snap out of it’ or John Wayne your way through depression.

Ask yourself one question, “Do I want my life back?” The answer is of course you do - otherwise why would you be reading this blog?

I’m here to tell you that there is hope. I found it and so can you. It’s not going to happen overnight and at times you’ll feel like “What’s the point?” but keep on moving forward even if you take a few steps backwards along the way. Taking care of yourself is work worth doing and the payoff is beyond measure.

That’s about it - but if it helps you walk your black dog, rather than it walking you, I think that’s enough.

Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never–in nothing, great or small, large or petty–never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

~ Winston Churchill

*Disclaimer: Although I did go through the program and highly recommend it - I’m not affiliated in any way with the University of Kansas, their Psychology Department or The Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes.