Depression - Walking with the Black Dog
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Walking with the black dog
Sir Winston Churchill was prime Minister of Britain from 1940 – 45 and 1951 – 55.
Depression was a major part of his life and he used the phrase ‘Black Dog’ as a euphemism when talking to family and friends.
It is an apt description for a condition which affects so many across the world.
The phrase has been used since Celtic times to describe something dark, threatening, sinister, overwhelming. In medieval period it was linked to the word melancholy. Foley (2005) suggests that Churchill’s nanny may well have passed on the phrase when speaking of him to others.
Foley (2005) also relates that on a day when he was not particularly pleased to see visitors Churchill would say “I have got a black dog on my back today” to give reason for his low grumpy demeanour.
How many find this Black Dog on their back, or walking behind or beside them in day to day life? To use a phrase from Foley's (2005) paper on the history of the phrase – how many find it ‘emblematic for disquiet of one’s own soul’?
Partners, children and families often don't know how to cope with their loved ones in this dark time.
Authors have used this metaphor in many self help books. One author in particular – Matthew Johnstone – has a series of well written and thoughtful books on the subject of the Black Dog; both from an individual’s perspective and also for those living with a loved one that is suffering from depression.
These two books – ‘I had a black dog’ and ‘Living with a black dog’ are published by Robinson and as a simple, easy to understand guide to depression and how to deal with it, for sufferers and their families; I've found them useful to recommend to those I see with depression in the course of my work.
There are other titles which use the theme of the Black Dog in advising how to help with depression.
I hope that you may find them as helpful as I have.
Reference:
Foley, Paul; ‘Black dog’ as a metaphor for depression: a brief history; Jan 2005
See hyperlink below
Useful Links
- Black dog as a metaphor for depression: a brief history Paul Foley
This is an interesting background to the use of the phrase Black Dog from early times to modern day. - Black Dog Institute - Home - Black Dog Institute
Black Dog Institute is an educational, research and clinical facility offering specialist expertise in mood disorders. - 'Clinical depression' What does that mean? - MayoClinic.com
Explaining depression and terms used relating to it - Depression in adults | Life and style | guardian.co.uk
Depression in adults
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My first comment! Thanks Dolores - glad it's shed some light on the store's name. The work by Paul Foley is an interesting read and it surprised me how far back the dog has been used as a metaphor. Thanks for my first comment on my first hub! :-)
Interesting Article - First time I've heard of it. (you learn something new everyday hey). Welcome to HP.
Thanks Lady_E; we're nver too old to learn eh? :-)
Hi Vince,
Awesome article. I have heard the phrase but never knew where it originated from. I would have to say it fits perfectly when one is in the grips of depression. I enjoyed this hub, I hope you write more.
Boo :)
I did not know this. Very informative hub, I am definitely going to look into those books and links. Thank you drangonbear!
Well written and well said...
Welcome aboard..
Very well done!
Very interesting hub Dragonbear, and well written. Welcome aboard, looking forward to reading more of your hubs!
This is a new phrase for me...knowing is good. Thanks.
Glad it was of help shareitt
To give another name as the common one doesn't make anything more clear and more important, it doesn't help to overcome ones condition. In this conceptual world where the established mindset is so strong and people are kept in their dull and numb condition, it is the common attitude to be satisfied by knowing a name of something, there is no motivation to question something and to make changes of the rootcause. A real help would be to help people to help themselves, showing a way to get out of their dependencies, to take self responsibility and then take action. Every thing else is the usual turning around oneself joining the games of this fake reality, created and kept by all humans in this society...
Or is there something that is NOT part of the common mindset? Very seldom and when something shows up, then it is ignored or rejected. That's a fact and part of our reality we don't want to see...
Dolores Monet Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago
Have never heard the expression before, but it sounds so apt. I've been to a very interesting shop called the Black Dog, an artistic antique store with an interestingly odd proprietor. This gives the shop a whole new perspective.