If you’ve been reading along with my blog for the past few months, you know that I’ve been pretty vocal about stress, anxiety, and mental illness as a whole. It’s important to me that I openly talk about what ails my addled brain. Perhaps it’s because of my own journey, but anything related to this topic catches my eye.

Lately, I’ve been seeing A LOT of posts on social media from my friends who are talking about their own mental health issues. I’ve seen posts on depression, anxiety, co-dependency, panic attacks, bi-polar. We’re currently living in a world where we’re worried about loved ones, about being infected, about dying, about our jobs, our livelihood…

I understand this completely…because I suffer from this shit, too.

To give you a little more background into my own mental health journey…

Hop in your time machine of choice (I’m torn between Delorean and Tardis!) and let me take you back to the late 90s.

Jon Ford Author grew up, fell in love and got married. Needless to say, that marriage ended horribly less than a year later. I won’t go into details here, but the fallout of that spectacular marital breakdown sent me reeling for years. Decades.

Something inside me fundamentally snapped. Broke beyond repair.

I bounced around between badly judged relationships, struggled with debt, health, and work. I’d never put much countenance into mental health issues until one day…I had a breakdown at work.

I knew I was stressed, not sleeping, feeling on the edge of something bad…but to literally burst into tears in the middle of the office in front of everyone… Well, that was a new experience. My friend Erica recognised it at the time, and it was she who pushed me into getting the help I needed.

Of course I was skeptical. I was like Scully on season one of the X-Files.

The problem was, I couldn’t deny I felt…different. Fundamentally changed.

So, I went to the doctor, and sought help from professional counsellors. It didn’t take long for me to find out that I suffered from what they called  ‘anxiety with underlying depression’. I started taking tablets to rebalance my brain chemistry, and saw a counsellor once a week to sort out my head. It wasn’t an easy or quick fix (or cheap!), but over the course of about a year I started to feel more like me again.

Almost.

Now, I don’t know if something broke irrevocably in me that day at the office, but while I feel okay most of the time these days…the darkness is an ever-present companion. It bubbles away just beneath the surface and doesn’t take much to jump back into the driver’s seat. The past couple of years have been kinda brutal on that front. I faced health issues (a lump in my jaw, a busted up knee, and the ever-present losing battle against my weight!), family issues, work stress, financial stress and, what I like to refer to as my mid-life crisis!

What that leaves us with is that I understand how it feels to internally battle this shit. I take the subject very seriously. There are nights I don’t sleep, simply stare at the ceiling in the dark. There are mornings when I wake up two hours before the alarm with my heart racing and a sense of dread I can’t place. There are days when I really want to talk to someone, anyone…but I can’t open my mouth to ask. Days when I want to go out and do something, but my brain wants to sit alone in the dark and the quiet. Withdrawing, even though I KNOW that I shouldn’t.

Worse still, I comfort eat and I can’t help it! I WANT to lose weight, but my head overrides my willpower!

Sound familiar?

Maybe all of this describes you to a T. Maybe you only identify with some of it. Perhaps you can’t relate at all, but you have a friend or family member who has reached out with similar thoughts.

I used to think I was alone.

But none of us are. NONE of us.

The thing about these illnesses is…we can’t help them. There are people out there who just don’t get it.

“All you need is a positive mental attitude and everything will be okay.”

But there is something off kilter in our brains that makes us this way.

Studies into the science of depression, for instance, have found that there are multiple factors at play to create the perfect storm of a mental health crisis. It can be linked to genetic vulnerabilities you never knew you had, other illnesses, medications you’re taking, stressful life events and faulty brain chemistry. You throw a number of those things into the mixing pot and you have a meaty broth of depression.

For me, the counselling revealed something else, though. Something I’d never seen before, but, in hindsight, it was glaringly obvious. In one of the early sessions, I mentioned my string of misjudged relationships. My therapist had me discuss each one in detail. After a long, exhaustive hour of  explaining to her how fucked up these relationships always were, she smiled and said,

“Jon, you have a particularly strong case of White Knight Syndrome. Being as you’re struggling to fix yourself, you’re displacing your focus to fix others. You’re attracted to women who you feel you can help fix.”

Epiphany! Mind blown!

She was abso-fucking-lutely right.

Now, the definition of White Knight Syndrome really applies to romantic relationships… Here’s a little excerpt from Pyschologypaedia.org:

In the study of couples’ conflicts, clinical psychologists Mary Lamia and Marilyn Krieger call them “white knight syndrome”, presented by men and women who fall in love with troubled or vulnerable people seeking to rescue them from critical situations, their behaviors, and even from their own lives, in the hope that their love will transform them into princes or princesses of tale and in the end a happy ending will be given.

For me, though, it’s worse than that because it’s not limited to romantic partners. If I see ANYONE who shows some kind of distress or worry, I feel COMPELLED to try and help.

Other than identifying my problems, something good had to come out of all this, right? I mean, this therapist and I were digging deep into what makes me tick, so I get a prize…don’t I?

Yup! Something emotional and wonderful and a piece of my life that acts as a daily therapeutic foundation – my writing. But not JUST my writing…my favourite character.

We’re going to jump in the Delorean and dial in to 2005. I had started playing an online MMORPG called City of Heroes. It’s a game where you basically create your own superhero. I fucking adored it! I wanted to create a healer character. One who followed my own natural instinct to fix things. So, I created an empath and called him ‘The White Knight.’

Upon clicking the OK button, I was given an error.

‘That name is already taken’

Fuck!

I thought about it for a while, before getting clever!

I took the ‘Knight’ part of the name, and then grabbed inspiration from Florence Nightingale. I gender-flipped the character, put her in a red and white suit with a Red Cross emblem on the front, and called her ‘Knightingale’…aka Gayle Knightley (see what I did there?).

That character is now 15 years old and she is one of the main characters in my books. A lot has changed for Gayle since the days of her creation on CoH, but her trademark pink hair and green eyes still remain. She’s the reason that the series is called ‘The Ballad of the Songbird’.

(For those true geeks, it’s also a nod to Alan Moore’s ‘The Ballad of Halo Jones,’ which I loved as a kid!)

So, you see, sometimes these bad things can be turned into motivation for good things. If I wasn’t so fucked up in the head, Gayle Knightley wouldn’t exist. I’d never have written ‘Hunters’. When I see friends struggling with their own mental burdens, like my friendly guest blogger Chell who was having trouble reconciling the story she is writing to the current crisis, I try and encourage them to push ahead. Use this fear and anxiety to create something real.

Something positive. Out of darkness must come light.

And while everything that I am talking about here is enough to deal with on any old normal day, now we’re faced with a global crisis the likes of which we’ve only read about in history books to this point. And it is starting to feel like this bubbling cauldron of quarantine is reaching a boiling point.

When this all began, there was a kind of solidarity. Apart from the mad bastards who bought all the toilet paper and pasta, the people of the world were oddly united. We had a common foe. An unseen virus that was killing our family and friends. We weren’t going to stand for it, and countries steeled themselves in the face of adversity.

Governments swung into action for our protection.

Communities were shut down as new hospitals were set up. Businesses figured out how to operate remotely. Restaurants and social gatherings were shuttered. Huge financial rescue packages were announced. Retired medical personnel returned to work as the rest of us were encouraged to ‘stay home: save lives’. We clapped for the NHS, watched daily briefings tell a terrible tale of the rising death toll…

But strangely, through it all, we stood firm.

In the past week, that all seems to have changed.

The tabloids are back to fanning flames, and people are back to being petty and stupid. We’re seeing protests in the US regarding getting the lockdown ended, even as people are still dying in the thousands! Selfishness appears to be creeping back in through the cracks and crevices of this international disaster that we are all facing.

But what is the true source of this behaviour?

Fear. Loneliness. Struggle. And for anyone who is directly touched by the virus, pain and suffering.

That’s a heavy burden to deal with for anyone who isn’t affected by mental illness, let alone for those who are.

It’s a big subject to tackle and I know I can’t do it justice in one little blog post. But, because right now I’m seeing A LOT of people struggling in a variety of  ways, I wanted to address it. I don’t know whether any of the people I noticed who were having problems will read this, but I wanted to explore the topic a little. And try to let them (and anyone else reading this) know that you are NOT alone.

Yes, YOU! I’m talking to you directly now, my troubled chum! You’re not alone in any of this.

If you need to, just reach out to a friend. Or call a helpline. One good thing that has come from all of the mental illness making its way out of the closet in recent years is awareness. Those “chin up” people still exist, but they’re quickly becoming the minority and more of society is recognizing the importance of really listening to those who ask for help.

You might just need an ear, or you may need more specific assistance with what you’re feeling, but either way, help isn’t far.

We are in this one together. This isn’t one of those situations we watch on the news, something happening in a faraway land that doesn’t directly impact us. Everyone is feeling this. From each little community to all the big cities. And through it all, you are not alone.

Love & Books

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19 Comments

  1. Liam

    I’m glad that you’re doing better today, Jon. Good on you for getting help!

    I’m a lucky guy, never suffered from depression or anything of the sort before now, but social distancing is really doing a massive number on me. I’ve always known that I’m an extrovert, but I didn’t realize how much energy and happiness I gained from socializing until it was taken away from me. It’s tough when your number one coping mechanism disappears and chatting online just isn’t the same.

    • Jon Ford

      I wasn’t going to get help, but my friend pushed me into it.

      It was the right thing to do and helped HUGELY!

      The current isolation thing is working fine for me. I’ve always been kind of a hermit anyhow, so this suits me down to the ground. But I totally understand how so many others are going stir-crazy right now.

      • Liam

        Just getting started is the hardest part for many people, so the fact that you’re putting in the work is a testament to your strength. Thanks for opening up about it too. The more people share about their mental health struggles the less taboo it becomes. By the way, I enjoyed the bits about the inspiration behind Gayle and how the series came to be named and defined. Understanding those motivations gives the story more depth in my opinion.

  2. Jim H

    For me, writing has always been therapeutic. I always suffered from an inferiority complex and writing was something that took me out of that space. The more I did it, the better I got and the more self-assured I became, the feeling of being inferior went the way of the buggy whip. Not only was it not there anymore, it wasn’t needed.

    The point is, we all change and get better if we want to. If we want to, we’ll find ways to get it done.

    Keep it up Jon. You’re a good guy and deserve good tings.

  3. RaeY

    I don’t suffer from depression or at least I didn’t think I did. This whole pandemic has me rethinking this! I am an “essential” employee which means I’m not on total lockdown. I don’t know if this is good or bad. Part of me fears going to work while the other part fears staying at home. I can cry at the drop of a hat! This is all new to me, unchartered storms! I did say last week to a coworker, I wonder if this is what depression feels like. It is like you’re under a black cloud and nothing feels right. Nothing makes you smile!

    I can’t wait for normalcy and I hope with that, this cloud disappears!

    • ShelbiI

      It sure sounds like depression. Have you called your doctor or talked to anyone? The world is a scary, lonely place right now. I hope that as things go back to the “new normal”, your feelings get back into check.

    • Jon Ford

      Hi Raey,

      This sounds a lot like what I got diagnosed with. Mine is predominantly Anxiety, which has underlying depression. I only really feel like this when I’m in a stressful situation, or feel like things are getting on top of me. Which leads me to that black cloud feeling you’re describing.

      In the current climate I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what it is. As a key worker you’re under a lot of stress. I find that it helps just to try and take it all one thing at a time and try not to let the things you can’t change cloud your mind. Work through things one at a time.

      You’ll be okay! 🙂

      • RaeY

        Thanks Jon. It sure made me feel better to put it out there! I think just acting like things are fine actually makes it worse. Once all this passes (pandemic) I’ll see how I feel. I have a pretty stressful job (deadline driven) and I’ve never felt quite like this.

  4. Jon, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts as well as your life experiences – and for expressing them so well.

    “…the darkness is an ever-present companion.” Coping with depression since before I was born, I understand that completely. Although I worry about the world, as well as my friends and family, I’m actually hopeful at what the future holds for all of us as people.

    I’ve seen so many acts of kindness and unselfishness that they over-ride the acts of pathetic politicians, fearful hoarders, and those supporting paranoia. And your words are part of that.

    Thank you so much.

    • Jon Ford

      Thanks for your kind comment William.

      And you’re absolutely right, there have been so many reports of unselfish acts that it reaffirms your faith in humanity. I think we all need to be hopeful of what the future holds.

    • Jim H

      It is very heartening to hear someone else say what I think. It’s too easy for me to get wrapped up in my own cynicism. I think you’re right, the positive vibes that We The People send will have to overshadow what our leaders do.

      I have always been a believer that there is strength in numbers, and there is WAY more of us than them.

  5. Evie

    I can relate to mental health struggles. There’s such a stigma involved that I usually try to hide my battle with OCD. I’m lucky in that I can go long periods without it taking over my life. I’m aware of my triggers and how to get my mind in a different space – until the coronavirus outbreak happened. It’s been a huge catalyst for my compulsive hand-washing and cleaning behaviours. It’s so easy to give into the compulsion because all these experts say you need to wash your hands to stay healthy and you need to clean and disinfect to kill the germs. So one time at the sink, becomes twice, becomes three times just to make sure my hands are really clean, becomes four times with a nail brush in case the germs are lingering under my nails, and yeah, my hands are rather dry right now. I appreciate you for speaking up because I feel like my “crazy” is on display right now and it’s embarrassing. You’re brave for being so open!

    • Ally

      I couldn’t have said this better myself, Evie. I suffer from the same and I can’t tell you the number of times I wash my hands each day (hourly really). I have not gone so far as to scrape under my nails. I try to hide my OCD tendencies but it is hard at work (essential job).

  6. DesireeS

    What a scary world we live in right now. We are dealing with this pandemic, things are slowly getting better. I finally feel a bit more safe to go to a store. For the first few weeks I wanted to just stay home. It’s been months now.
    Now on top of the pandemic there are riots nightly. Protests turning into violence.

  7. Laura

    Hello Jon! I’m new to your blog so I was just scrolling through the titles. This one caught my eye and peaked my interest. After reading this, I know I will read every post on here!
    I love how you are putting yourself of there, here for your readers. It’s all so personal and touching.
    As for the lockdown, my state is only at 50%, it sucks. People are turning on people for not wearing mask in public. People are jumping on each other all over social media. There is so much uncertainty here in the states. I watched the Presidential debate Tuesday and I felt my anxiety level rise. I think banging my head against a wall would have been more fun.
    Thanks for making your blog so personal and welcoming.

    • Jon Ford

      Hey, Laura,
      You’re not the only one who feels like banging your head against a wall.
      While I think there will have to be a time when the world starts going back to normal, I feel like there are a lot of people who are getting complacent now. I get it. It’s easy to feel that way. Since the pandemic kicked off in March, I personally have not been ill from Covid, or known anyone who is. It would be easy at this point to say ‘Ah, the risk is so small, why bother with all these precautions? Why wear a mask? Why socially distance?’
      The problem I’ve always had with people regarding this whole thing is that people think of themselves first. But this is not about them. It’s about other people.
      My father was in hospital very recently and has been very ill. Catching Covid could be serious. It could kill him. I do not want that on my conscience. So I continue to obey the rules on social distancing, I wear a mask and I will do so until this is over and they find a vaccine or whatever.
      And it’s not just my father. What if I catch the mild form of Covid and pass it onto someone at the shop? Or the petrol station? Or at work? What if I, through my own selfish inaction, cause someone else to become seriously ill?
      Because those things are a VERY small price to pay to save someone ELSES life!

      Time to get off my soapbox! LOL
      But, you’re right. This is my little corner of the internet and in this place, I will be me. I hope you enjoy the site and the blogs.

      • Laura

        I do absolutely agree with you on not getting other people sick. I would be heartbroken if I got it and passed it on to my elderly parents.
        Banging my head was more about the debate. Watching two grown men act the way they did. I wonder what other’s are thinking as they watch us in the US?

        • Jon Ford

          Well, I live in the UK, and I have to admit… I haven’t really paid attention to the debates.
          Honestly, politics isn’t much my thing… I tend to steer well clear of that topic as I’m not qualified to weigh in hugely.
          But, I did see am amusing meme the other day that had an image of our leaders during WWII vs 2020.
          We went from Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin – vs – Johnson, Trump and Putin.

          I’m not going to get political, but I’ll let everyone draw their own conclusions as to which way our countries seem to be headed! LOL

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