11 Mental Illnesses And Disorders Illustrated As Monsters By Artist Phil Wall
Artist Phil Wall, aka Never Stay Dead, has been working on a series that's very close to them. To educate both themselves and their followers, Never Stay Dead has been illustrating disorders and mental illnesses as monsters, following people like shadows everywhere they go.
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Phil Wall, going by Never Stay Dead online, is a UK-based artist who creates funny illustrations featuring adorable animals. However, recently the artist decided to try something a little different by illustrated a handful of mental illnesses and disorders as spooky monsters.
In a recent interview with Bored Panda, the artist said that even though not everyone can see them, disorders are very much real. "I wanted to visualise it in a way that everyone could understand easily. As a monster that lives with us on a daily basis," said Phil. The artist added that this is an ongoing series and he aims to be as inclusive as possible.
To create the series, the artist has done a lot of preparation and used both his own, and the experiences of the people around him. "It's a very complicated and sensitive subject and it's not the same for everyone," says Phil. "It's impossible to capture the entire spectrum of a disorder in one simple drawing. Many people find them relatable, and if not at least it’s opening up a discussion instead of ignoring them."
See the Phil's illustrations in the gallery below!
More info: neverstaydead.co.uk | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Image source: neverstaydead
My depiction of anxiety is a disorientating, chaotic, and pearlescent monster. It has many arms to grip you in fear, many eyes to watch you, and many mouths to make you doubt yourself. It is like a big parasite feeding on fear and paralysing you
Image source: neverstaydead
Image source: neverstaydead
Autism is a developmental disorder, because it is more susceptible to mental health I decided to include it in this series
Image source: neverstaydead
The ADHD monster is a hyperactive ball of energy, finding it hard to focus on one task and easily distracted by everything around it. A daydreamer with a chaotic galaxy of ideas and thoughts
Image source: neverstaydead
OCD is an annoying demon that traps you in repetition
Image source: neverstaydead
Insomnia is a Wraith that can manifest from various mental health (including depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD). The monster chains itself to its host leaving it feeling like a ghost inside its own body. Too uncomfortably awake to sleep, but too tired to function normally. The Wraith's body is partly made of stars from all of the dreams it has eaten and it drags a heavy time piece across the ground. Constantly reminding its victims of lost time and the pressure to start a new day tired and restless
Image source: neverstaydead
The Addiction monster seems desirable and shiny, but tricks its host by rewarding them with short lived highs that lead to adverse consequences
Image source: neverstaydead
The BDD monster warps and distorts its hosts perception of themselves. It shows them an exaggeration of any flaw they might find, this will spiral until they become obsessed with it. The Monster can also cause social anxiety, OCD and depression.
Image source: neverstaydead
The PTSD monster was once a confident and strong ally. But it is left severely wounded and broken, every day reliving its pain
Image source: neverstaydead
Bipolar is a two headed beast that's splitting into two extreme and contrasting monsters, and neither are fun to be around. They both have a hand on the steering wheel and can divert the ride at any time
Image source: neverstaydead
BPD is a Demon with broken wings, but it often thinks it's an angel. It is complex and usually misunderstood, and can completely override the mind and emotions. It has a fear of abandonment, yet struggles with stable relationships. It is more prone to act recklessly than most monsters which can result in dangerous consequences, addiction and even the suicide of its vessel
#1
Image source: neverstaydead
My depiction of anxiety is a disorientating, chaotic, and pearlescent monster. It has many arms to grip you in fear, many eyes to watch you, and many mouths to make you doubt yourself. It is like a big parasite feeding on fear and paralysing you
#2
Image source: neverstaydead
#3
Image source: neverstaydead
Autism is a developmental disorder, because it is more susceptible to mental health I decided to include it in this series
#4
Image source: neverstaydead
The ADHD monster is a hyperactive ball of energy, finding it hard to focus on one task and easily distracted by everything around it. A daydreamer with a chaotic galaxy of ideas and thoughts
#5
Image source: neverstaydead
OCD is an annoying demon that traps you in repetition
#6
Image source: neverstaydead
Insomnia is a Wraith that can manifest from various mental health (including depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD). The monster chains itself to its host leaving it feeling like a ghost inside its own body. Too uncomfortably awake to sleep, but too tired to function normally. The Wraith's body is partly made of stars from all of the dreams it has eaten and it drags a heavy time piece across the ground. Constantly reminding its victims of lost time and the pressure to start a new day tired and restless
#7
Image source: neverstaydead
The Addiction monster seems desirable and shiny, but tricks its host by rewarding them with short lived highs that lead to adverse consequences
#8
Image source: neverstaydead
The BDD monster warps and distorts its hosts perception of themselves. It shows them an exaggeration of any flaw they might find, this will spiral until they become obsessed with it. The Monster can also cause social anxiety, OCD and depression.
#9
Image source: neverstaydead
The PTSD monster was once a confident and strong ally. But it is left severely wounded and broken, every day reliving its pain
#10
Image source: neverstaydead
Bipolar is a two headed beast that's splitting into two extreme and contrasting monsters, and neither are fun to be around. They both have a hand on the steering wheel and can divert the ride at any time
#11
Image source: neverstaydead
BPD is a Demon with broken wings, but it often thinks it's an angel. It is complex and usually misunderstood, and can completely override the mind and emotions. It has a fear of abandonment, yet struggles with stable relationships. It is more prone to act recklessly than most monsters which can result in dangerous consequences, addiction and even the suicide of its vesselDE
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