I have alluded to the Black Dog in other post. Mostly in passing as I do not want to give it any more substance than it already has.

My mother struggled with this throughout her life and I, to a lesser extent, have had it stalk me.

What, you may ask, is the Black Dog. Well, it is depression and anxiety in it’s manifestation in my life.

Now, I could spend many words here lamenting how the Black Dog hounds (pun intended) my life and sulks around many corners. However, as I said that would give it more substance than it already has and this is something I will not afford it.

No, what I want to put down here is something more practical for the reader and, hopefully, remind myself at a time when he is very prevelant.

How can one defeat the Black Dog?

Now, for those of us who have this problem defeat may be a big word. So, let’s take it in a more manageable form; How can we get the Black Dog into puppy form as opposed to Great Dane form.

You see, if you have never experienced this, the manifestation of the Black Dog differs not only person to person, but in size for each of us depending on what is going on in life.

For most of us, it is always there tagging along waiting to be noticed so that it may grow and require more an more attention.

I have been able to manage my Black Dog most of the time, but in the dead of night he comes howling and growling and keeps me up.. In these moments he can be a hound from hell, with glowing red eyes and long fangs, a beast of great proportion.. More often he is that mangy cur content to tags along through my day and make his presence known in the quiet times mostly.

Thus, tactic number one has to be – Limit the quite time.

Now, this is hard for someone who is, essentially, a quiet solitary person. So, I find that I need to get out of my head and into conversations with others to keep it at bay. Focusing upon relationships is key here. Fostering my concern for others.

Tactic number two – Care for others more than yourself.

If I pour myself into others and less into myself I tend to be much better off. When we are investing in others we are less involved in our own, often petty, concerns. And I will admit, the Black Dog can be a very petty beast!

Tactic number three – Stay active.

I cannot let myself just dwell on the situation. If I do, it can consume me and this is the one thing that one must avoid at all cost. This must be more than a casual activity where the mind is idle. It must be activity with a purpose with a mental aspect that allows us to turn off the attention the Black Dog so desperately wants.

Tactic number four – Start something new.

You have to be careful with this one. I have been known to start huge projects or dive too deeply into a hobby that can consume more resources than I have (read money). However, starting something new can be a huge bane to these times. I love to write, but the Black Dog kills my muse, so I often must do something with my hands.

Tactic number five – Get outside!

Sun drives out the shadows and warms the soul. I cannot say this enough. Depression is like a mushroom, it loves dark moist places like our minds and our tears. I have my bikes that allow me to get out and get moving. The wind and the sun are a balm to my soul. Yes, it is easy to let my mind wander when I am quiet on the bike, but this is when I spend time talking to God. He and I have had some very tense conversations on this topic, which leads me to my last tactic that really is part of them all;

You are not yourself. I don’t care whether you believe in God or not, well I do, but this is a personal thing between you and him. What I mean, is this moment, this situation will pass if you can get out of your head and let your soul move you forward. Movement is key!

People will fail us. Situations will test us. Life with beat us up and be hard.

If you only have you, everything is more difficult.

We need another. We need an advocate in this life. Mine is God and he gets railed on at times. But he is big enough to take it and in those times when I scream “I am pissed at you!” He says, “I know, and that’s ok.” And then he puts his arm around me and cries with me.