his strip was inspired by an ask on the tumblr and it seems attractive people get special consideration when it comes to depression. When I did this strip, I came across more research that says that attractive people tend to get worse care from doctors — the halo effect, which generally benefits attractive people in many other ways actually makes the doctors believe that illnesses are less serious for attractive people. But it works the other way, for not so attractive people the negative attributions kick in and are possibly given treatment that is too serious and they may be less likely to be seen as recovering. It will be interesting to see what research will discover with this.
Yeah, I can see that happening. Human stupidity is a bitch huh? That’s why I always go for utterly unremarkable, it keeps people from paying too much attention while still allowing me to get stuff done.
Follow-up: The bubbles express surprise not an unwillingness to be heard. It’s correct to say that people are or would be surprised at such things, but it’s wrong to say that people are unwilling to help.
There is a lack of surprise when unattractive people talk about having an illness, this is due to the halo effect. There is nothing in this comic that talks about willingness to help.
For some reason I have to be in the camp which ask “Why would you be depressed?”. Some people are just better in what’s inside and outside of them. While some don’t have it, we look up to those better looking wishing that we had their looks, that would boost our confidence. Why they can’t look at us and say “At least I don’t look like them”.
You can add in the body dysmorphia story here, where people (not gender-exclusive) conclude they’re physically hideous despite any and all evidence or opinion to the contrary. Just another wonderful cognitive distortion in the arsenal of depression.
depression comix says
his strip was inspired by an ask on the tumblr and it seems attractive people get special consideration when it comes to depression. When I did this strip, I came across more research that says that attractive people tend to get worse care from doctors — the halo effect, which generally benefits attractive people in many other ways actually makes the doctors believe that illnesses are less serious for attractive people. But it works the other way, for not so attractive people the negative attributions kick in and are possibly given treatment that is too serious and they may be less likely to be seen as recovering. It will be interesting to see what research will discover with this.
jbthazard says
I love that this site is fueled by reliable information and research studies
Michelle says
Me, too!
Evan J Sanders says
Wow, screwed on both sides. The stigma against depression and mental illness hurts more than the actual affliction, sometimes.
Opus the Poet says
Works the same for guys.
Anonymous says
There was no implication that only females encounter this sort of problem.
Bishop says
Yeah, I can see that happening. Human stupidity is a bitch huh? That’s why I always go for utterly unremarkable, it keeps people from paying too much attention while still allowing me to get stuff done.
Formerly a Judgmental Douchebag says
This is how I initially responded to Depressed Character 02.
Formerly a Judgmental Douchebag says
Follow-up: The bubbles express surprise not an unwillingness to be heard. It’s correct to say that people are or would be surprised at such things, but it’s wrong to say that people are unwilling to help.
clay says
There is a lack of surprise when unattractive people talk about having an illness, this is due to the halo effect. There is nothing in this comic that talks about willingness to help.
Formerly a Judgmental Douchebag says
http://www.quickmeme.com/Beautiful-People-Problems
Gill de Srbastián says
So, fair or not of face, none of us gets the right treatment?
clay says
1. Not all of us fall into the extremes of attractiveness.
2. Nothing in depcom ever happens 100% of the time.
Tomasz Gwóźdź says
For some reason I have to be in the camp which ask “Why would you be depressed?”. Some people are just better in what’s inside and outside of them. While some don’t have it, we look up to those better looking wishing that we had their looks, that would boost our confidence. Why they can’t look at us and say “At least I don’t look like them”.
Sometimes the bear says
You can add in the body dysmorphia story here, where people (not gender-exclusive) conclude they’re physically hideous despite any and all evidence or opinion to the contrary. Just another wonderful cognitive distortion in the arsenal of depression.