The Intricacy of Addiction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ-1cq8ibwg

This is a clip of a dance performed in Season 5 of the TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. The piece was titled “Addiction” and was choreographed to the music of Sara Bareilles’ song, “Gravity.” Not only is this a beautiful dance, but it so artistically paints the struggles of addiction, whether it be to alcohol, drugs, a lover, etc. Notice how the female dancer runs to her oppressor in the beginning. She chooses to go to him, though she remains emotionless as the dance begins. Her run to him is aggressive and magnetic. She does not appear to be happy about the contact, yet she knows she needs it. His movement begins slowly, and then quickens progressively, much like addiction.

Shortly after, the male makes motions as if to give her life. By the pull of his hand, she springs forward. He makes her feel alive, and she proceeds to fall back into him. Most of the dance consists of the male artfully maneuvering the female. It is a constant rhythm of rising and falling. She runs from him and he catches up. They literally leap and bow in unison, representing the intricacy behind the pull that addiction can have on a person’s life. The addiction is with that person when they’re at their lowest, and yet highest points too. And this is one reason that addiction can be so hard to dispel.

Notice at the line of the song, “All I still know is that you’re keeping me down,” the male is literally prohibiting her outstretched hand. He also covers her mouth multiple times in the dance, representing how difficult it can be to reach out and get help. Also notice that right after holding her down, the male helps to lift her back up. He gently catches her falling head and lifts her up to control her again. This reflects the way in which an addiction not only hurts, but supports a person. Addiction is a tangled web of emotions, desires, and will. It is not black and white, and this dance illustrates that beautifully. 

Finally, note the most important part: she breaks free from him in the end. It was a battle, and not an easy one in the slightest, but by the time the lights come up on these dancers, the female is standing alone, not facing him, not looking back. She is moving forward. 

Feeling sad this fall? It may just be that time of the year.

“Melancholy were the sounds on a winter’s night.” – Virginia Woolf, Jacob’s Room

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is related to the changes in seasons. The symptoms of SAD commonly begin in the fall and continue through the winter months. Symptoms include: low energy, irritability, heavy, “leaden” feeling in arms or legs, oversleeping, overeating, drop in libido.

It is normal to feel down from time to time, but it you feel depressed for multiple days at a time and can’t get motivated to do the activities you normally enjoy, see your doctor.

Although the exact cause of SAD is unknown, one important factor seems to be sunlight, or lack thereof.  The decrease of sunlight in fall and winter might disrupt our biological clocks, leading to feelings of depression.  

5 remedies for SAD:

1)      Get outside and soak up the sun as much as you can. Even on cold and cloudy days outdoor light can help. Bundle up and take a long morning walk—this is most effective within the first two hours of waking.

2)      Make your environment sunnier and brighter. Open the blinds during the day and sit near windows. Invest in a “dawn simulation” clock that slowly brightens like the rising sun.

3)      Try a new centering activity—yoga, meditation, massage. Stretching, breathing, and the power of the human touch are often underrated, but have immense healing influence.

4)       Get out of the darkness for a while by taking a trip to a warm, sunny locale.

5)      Schedule social activities throughout the winter. When you feel depressed, social engagement can be daunting, but social support and friendship are some of the best ways to curb depression and loneliness.

Remember, the dark months of winter can seem foreboding, but it will be spring before you know it.

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer” –Albert Camus

Written by Catherine Clubb-Brown, Forward Counseling intern

Photo courtesy of sleepcare.com.  

Additional resources:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/definition/con-20021047

http://seattletimes.com/html/health/2024905188_onhealthsadxml.html

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/sad