In commercials for the anti-depressant Abilify--admittedly, I've become a bit obsessive on this topic--Depression has been represented as sometimes a blue blob and sometimes a blue bathrobe but always something adorable--more a comforting companion than a debilitating mental illness. Indeed, the "blue-bathrobe Depression" looked so much like Cookie Monster that I worry whether toddlers everywhere started manifesting depressive symptoms just to get their hands on the cuddly medication.
Therefore, it came as something of a relief today to see a new commercial wherein Depression takes the form of a sentient umbrella--albeit one that causes rain to fall WITHIN its confines. Yes, Depression is still blue and googly-eyed, but one would feel not quite so guilt-stricken about eliminating--or at least diminishing the power of--an umbrella.
One other interesting element of the Abilify commercials: In every one, the depression sufferer finds her way to a doctor's office (where Depression sits next to her and dutifully joins her in taking notes). During the consultation, the doctor pulls down a screen to show the patient a filmstrip--featuring the doctor him or herself speaking to the patient! I keep waiting for the patient to say something like, "Uh, why are you showing me this film? Couldn't you just TELL me this stuff?"
Yeah. . . THAT's the part that doesn't add up.
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