Cody Christopherson
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cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Cody Christopherson
@cdchristopherson.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1.4K following 190 posts
Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Therapy, Psychopathology, Comics, Cartooning, Graphic Novels, Graphic Medicine, mental health, mental illness, psychotherapy, meta-science, open science #graphicmedicine
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cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Unlike cynicism, hopefulness is hard-earned, makes demands upon us, and can often feel like the most indefensible and lonely place on Earth. Hopefulness is not a neutral position either. It is adversarial. It is the warrior emotion that can lay waste to cynicism. Each redemptive or loving act, as small as you like, Valerio, such as reading to your little boy, or showing him a thing you love, or singing him a song, or putting on his shoes, keeps the devil down in the hole. It says the world and its inhabitants have value and are worth defending. It says the world is worth believing in. In time, we come to find that it is so. Love, Nick
June 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
I know this because much of my early life was spent holding the world and the people in it in contempt. It was a position both seductive and indulgent. The truth is, I was young and had no idea what was coming down the line. I lacked the knowledge, the foresight, the self-awareness. I just didn’t know. It took a devastation to teach me the preciousness of life and the essential goodness of people. It took a devastation to reveal the precariousness of the world, of its very soul, to understand that it was crying out for help. It took a devastation to understand the idea of mortal value, and it took a devastation to find hope.
June 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Dear Valerio, You are right to be worried about your growing feelings of cynicism and you need to take action to protect yourself and those around you, especially your child. Cynicism is not a neutral position — and although it asks almost nothing of us, it is highly infectious and unbelievably destructive. In my view, it is the most common and easy of evils.
June 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Following the last few years I’m feeling empty and more cynical than ever. I’m losing faith in other people, and I’m scared to pass these feelings to my little son. Do you still believe in Us (human beings)? VALERIO, STOCKHOLM (AND ROME), SWEDEN (AND ITALY)
June 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
This print ad for a major corporation didn't need to go this hard
June 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Psychologist cartooning from days of yore.

(From the Saturday Evening Post, 1941)
June 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Two people walking together. One is smoking. The other says "It's impossible to talk with you. You only give solutions."
May 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
I just discovered that in 1986, dc published a slice of life, nonsuperhero series intended for adults (and with adult themes). Angel Love, by Barbara Slate
May 29, 2025 at 9:05 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Assignment: two panel comic, autobiographical, has to depict something that happened in the last 24 hours
May 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
“Hm…CalArts adjacent character design”
Queen Elizabeth's Final Diary Entry Contained Only Five Words
May 28, 2025 at 5:42 AM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Figure 1. Example panels using well-known characters in the service of graphic public health. Sources clockwise from upper left corner: Daniel, T.S. & Morey, T. (2020); Farar & Musial (1961); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1981); Spider-Man, Storm and Power Man Battle Smokescreen (1982)
May 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Ambivalent beginning!
May 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Me standing next to an enormous tree
May 7, 2025 at 5:53 AM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Real article today from the NYTimes
NYTimes headline: the angry bird vandalizing a coastal New England town
April 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Self-absorption in MOONCHILD by Noah Van Sciver.

#depression
#rumination
#graphicmedicine
Six panel comic called Moonchild by Noah Van Sciver in which a male character with a moustache gradually turns into a deconstructed piece of art while he is absorbed in his own thoughts
April 22, 2025 at 12:44 AM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
From the prolific and delightful Jeffrey Lewis

#ADHD
#Phoneaddiction
#graphicmedicine
Picture of a guy on his phone with green demons eating his brain. Captions read "Phone demons eat focus" and "no natural defense against invasive species". Art by Jeffrey Lewis
April 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
New to me #graphicmedicine title The case of Charles Dexter Ward. HP Lovecraft’s tale of a “dangerous inmate” at a mental hospital and his doctor.
April 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 11:43 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Some recent sessions
Psychiatry patient with sign reading The end is near Therapist says "Don't sweat the huge stuff." Cartoon by Mike Baldwin
April 4, 2025 at 6:39 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
A full issue about a married youngish man dealing with erectile dysfunction. Includes the difficult differential diagnosis process and medication side effects. Realistic and honest with artwork that serves the story well. #graphicmedicine
Cover of comic True Story Swear To God #13
April 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Graphic medicine everywhere?
Decal spotted in grocery store parking lot
An image of a car windshield decal that reads :): BIPOLAR
April 1, 2025 at 10:48 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Two men talking: GRANTED! BUT MOST MEN CARRY PHOTOS OF THEIR LOVED ONES! I LOVE NOBODY! ERGO. NO PHOTOS! IS THAT ALL?!
March 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Little-discussed link between comics and medicine: it used to be very common to get them both at the exact same place!

#graphicmedicine
"A white male pharmacist hands a comic book to a white child and his mother as part of a good-will program for every child that comes into the pharmacy. Caption reads: "Pharmacist Harry Goldstein of Towne Pharmacy offers a young customer a free comic book while mother looks on. Comic magazines, lollipops, pencils and other novelties are given out to youngsters in a good-will building program." Image from University of Wisconsin Digital Collections. Full image credit here: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AG2SN33CDGRL4K8P
February 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Hardcore skeptic? Dust bowl empiricist? You’ve not yet begun to doubt
February 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
cdchristopherson.bsky.social
Wisdom from 1950
Superman with a group of school kids saying "if you hear anybody talk against a schoolmate or anyone else because of his religion, race, or national origin--don't wait: tell him THAT KIND OF TALK IS UN-AMERICAN."
February 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM