The Black Beast
Is 'The Black Dog' as appropriate a title
for depression as it seems? To many victims
of psychological illness, the image above may
often seem more real!And though it may not
take on the actual form and appearance
of such a beast, to the sufferer and
their loved ones, it is just as real and
as dangerous as the creature depicted.
Acquired Brain Injury, Psychological Illness or Unbalanced and Often-Erratic Mood-Changes are no respecters of status, station or skill. In
fact, the more highy-talented or intelligent you are, the wider open the door to danger is likely to stand. Some of the greatest names in history have endured psychological states of being such as you may be experiencing right now:
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL:
Credited with being the first person
to refer to his depression as 'The
Black Dog,' despite his own
personal difficulties, brought Britain
through the horrors of World War
II after serving in the British Parliament
in World War I - the 'War to End
All Wars.' But Churchill was more than
a politician: he wrote historical novels
the most well-known being 'A History
of the English-Speaking Peoples,'
and some of his paintings
hang in more than one major art gallery in London.
ADOLF HITLER:
On the opposite side of the same
global conflict and leader of Nazi
Germany, he also appeared to be a
victim of Churchill's 'Black Dog,"
and was known for his rages and
depressive moods; eventually he took
his own life (partly due to fear of
what the Russians would do to him were
he captured alive), and that of his
woman and ultimately wife Eva Braun.
JULIUS CAESAR:
Ruler of the Roman Empire from
October 49BC to March 44BC,
to judge from his deeds and ruthless
determination to hold power, is suspected
of psychological illness. Interestingly, Caesar is
also credited with a statement that
could apply to many of our fellows
enduring the mental anguish we know
only too well:
>"It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die,
than to find those who are willing to endure
pain with patience".
TONY HANCOCK:
British comedian and actor, died
by his own hand in
Sydney, New South Wales on June
24, 1968 - at the age of
44 years; degrees of egotism,
mixed with doubt in his own
abilities as an actor-comedian,
are often cited as playing
roles in his suicide.
AMY WINEHOUSE:
(14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011)
English singer and songwriter known for her deep and expressive contralto vocals
and mix of musical genres ranging from soul to rhythm and blues and jazz
- saw success from her debut album - 'Frank' - in the UK; and was nominated
for the Mercury Prize. Amy's follow-up album in 2006 -'Back to Black'
- claimed five Grammy awards in 2008, which equaled the record for the most
wins by a female artist in a single night, and made her the first British
female to win five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Record of
the Year, and Song of the Year. She also won 3 Novello Awards
- in 2004, 2007 (accompanied by an award for Best British Female Artist)
and her third Novello in 2008. Her life ended, attributed to alcoholic poisoning,
at age 27, following which her 'Back to Black' album again found
acclaim as the United Kingdom's best-selling album of the twenty-first century.
She has also been ranked, since her death, as well within the top
30 on the '100 Greatest Women in Music' list, and has also been referred to,
by the BBC; as the 'pre-eminent vocal talent of her generation,'
a title in which her incredible duets with male vocalist
Tony Bennett - who himself praised her brilliant onstage performances and outstanding
vocal talents - played no small part.
And the list of those who were famous, talented, skilled in their arts, and should have achieved longer careers and continuing accolades, goes on. For now, let us note that of the above list, only the first-mentioned - Sir Winston Churchill - lived to the natural end of his life.
But it is also interesting to note that the majority of people suffering from psychological illness share two other factors in common, factors one could almost term 'blessings'; and these will be looked at in depth on page 6: "The Conundrum: One Mind, Four Faces." I use the word 'blessings' because they occur so frequently and so commonly hand-in-glove with mental illness, and seem so invaluable to the average person who may have only one or perhaps neither, that one could be excused for thinking Nature is trying to cast some sort of an'It isn't all bad news' aspect on the confusion faced by those who live with problems of the mind and those closest to them. But for now, let us leave the sad memories of those who have already passed away, and look at those who remain, and who continue to live, with the dark shadow of uncertainty hovering above them.
This site is dedicated to Jock, who left us just a year ago, and to Lia, who we lost in the recent week (April of this year - 2016); to all those others we lost before Jock and Lia; to those we have lost since; and to those we will lose in years to come until someone finds an answer.
This site is not intended as a solution for those suffering psychological
illness nor for those working and living with them. But I do hope it will
give assistance just to know someone else is out there who has been
and is still going through the pain and anguish caused by the mind. To
have to do battle with one's own mind every day is not an easy task.
But it is a task we must face and find a way to live with as best we can.
Adrian Scott, 17 March 2016
WebMaster: Ian T Foster, M.A.
