Aug 27, 2021
A messier comic for messy feelings.
Being undiagnosed most of my life was difficult. I was dealing with anxiety, adhd and trauma as a young child and I felt so alone and misunderstood. It wasn’t fair. I was only a child.
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A messier comic for messy feelings.
Being undiagnosed most of my life was difficult. I was dealing with anxiety, adhd and trauma as a young child and I felt so alone and misunderstood. It wasn’t fair. I was only a child.
Hey! I’m this week’s Cartoonist Diary ahtist on The Comics Journal! So that means you can read a new installment every day from now through Friday—a good deal, amirite? You betcha. #cartoonists #diarycomics #covidcomics #autobiocomics #anxietycomics https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVbWhvDZEw/?igshid=g3dvrd56k0az
When it’s not my adhd brain keeping me up, it’s my anxiety brain waking me up. Thanks brain. 🧠
How can one show empathy in a healthy way? This question is something I personally struggle with on a daily basis. My immediate instinct is always to try to relate in an attempt to show I was actively listening to the other person and that they aren’t alone. Which works for some people, but not others.
How do you like to be supported?
[Alt text: 4 Panel Comic. Panel 1. Image shows main character talking to another person. 2nd person’s speech bubble “Blah. I had this really crappy situation happen to me.” Panel 2: Main character’s speech bubble “I’m sorry. I had that happen to me once. It sucks.” Image shows main character with second character while a third person notices them both in the background. Panel 3. Image shows 3rd person pointing their finger at the main character. Their speech bubble says “Stop making it about you.”. Panel 4. Image shows main character drawn very small and alone. Multiple fingers pointing at them. Main character’s speech bubble says “I was just trying to empathize”.]
If I try to ignore it, it will go away right? 👀 💧 Anxiety and ADHD make for a hell of a combo.
[Alt text: One panel comic. Main character curled up on couch, bundled up in blanket while eating potato chips. A large hand with very pointy fingers is reaching over the couch to poke the main character while saying “hello, my friend”. The words “existential dread” are labeled above it. ]
What is your earliest anxiety memory (if you have one)?
[Alt text: Panel 1: Little girl sitting in car, buckling her seat belt. Caption: “One of my earliest anxiety memories”. Panel 2: Father in drivers seat asks “Alright! Is everyone’s seatbelts on?” Little girl notices she can’t see her moms seat belt. Panel 3: Little girl exclaims “Wait! Mom isn’t done yet!”! The mom replies “I will be in a moment, sweetie!” Panel 4: Little girl starts crying, flapping her arms and yelling “no! No! You need to buckle up now or we are all going to die!” Father assures her “honey! Relax! We are fine!”]
Last one! For this episode I remembered: you cannot be a true autobiographical cartoonist until you draw yourself on the toilet (you also have to draw yourself vomiting. It’s true! That way you can point to being “authentic”). Anyway, It’s been fun, thanks to everyone for reading! Stay well 💕#cartoonists #diarycomic #covidcomics #autobiocomics #anxietycomics https://www.instagram.com/p/CAfcRifDLcP/?igshid=10amctva1o2id