milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

The circle of chairs is out. In the middle is a table with a wide selection of food, but most notably a big apple pie, the smell of which is wafting pleasantly across the bar.

Behind the circle, on the wall, is a large sign.

LIFE SUPPORT
OPEN TO ALL

Do you have worries here or at home?
Thinking of counselling or just looking for an informal chat?
Just want some free food?
Come and join us!

[ooc: Open until the next one, all tags will be picked up by at least one of the LS crew :)]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Everything."

Ragnar slumps in his chair, epitome of a miserable Viking.

"Well, that's not helpful. He is utterly downcast and doesn't seem to go back to our world at all, he's moved out of our rooms and nothing helps, not being hopeful and not telling him I love him and not giving him time and not touching him -- he doesn't want me to touch him any more, not even without any sensual intention, much less with it. He just ignores touch. He shutters his soul if I say anything wrong. It's as if his soul had turned into a field of pitfalls that trap both him and other people."

"Depression can hurt people around the sufferer as well," Alana says, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Ragnar. You need to be patient with him. You know as well as I do that he's going through a lot right now, and while it may seem that telling him that you love him doesn't help, believe me, it does. I'm not sure what else you can do. I'll talk to him."

"Depression?" Ragnar says. "I don't even know what that is, except that he's down, which I can see."

"Depression is a form of illness where the sufferer deals with feelings of hopelessness and despair, while isolating themselves away from their loved ones," Alana says, frowning slightly. "It can be started by a chemical imbalance in the brain, or trauma, which can cause imbalances. Either way, it's difficult to deal with."

"He is definitely isolating himself from both Sinric and me," Ragnar nods. "But does that stuff -- chemical imbalance? -- make him stop loving us?"

"Definitely not," Alana says, shaking her head emphatically. "He still loves you. He's probably having difficulty showing it. Depression is a very selfish disease. It makes pain his focus, and turns all his attention towards managing that pain--or not, as the case may be. He still loves you, he's just having some difficulties getting out of his own head."

"But then there is no way of helping him at all!"

"That's not true," Alana says, raising a brow. "Talking helps, and being there for him, like you and Sinric have been. He can even start a course of medication, if he's up for that."

"I have talked to him a lot, and it didn't help at all," Ragnar says. "What is medication?"

He sounds hopeful again.

"There are certain medicines that can help alleviate the symptoms of depression," Alana says, canting her head to the side. "I can't prescribe them, but I know Guppy can. If Athelstan is willing to take them, they may help. I haven't discussed this with him yet."

"Will you?"

"Yes, I will, but the choice is ultimately up to him," Alana says, resting her chin in her hand. "There are lots of different kinds of medicines, and not all of them work for everyone. They take a few weeks to work, and they each have side effects, such as sleepiness."

"He can sleep on me all he wants, if that means he feels better," Ragnar blurts out at once.

"You have to know that this isn't an instant fix," Alana says, biting her lower lip. "It will take time to find the right medicines and time for them to work. And again, the choice is up to Athelstan. We can't force him to take medication."

"I know," Ragnar says. "I will wait as long as it takes. It's not as if things are going anywhere on the other side of our door."

"Good," Alana says, nodding thoughtfully. "Athelstan will need you to be patient with him. Depression isn't something that changes overnight, for better or for worse."

"In the meanwhile, how do I best help him?"

"Just keep doing what you're doing already," Alana says, inclining her head. "Give him space when he needs it and make sure he knows you love him. Just be there for him, whenever you can. But don't forget to take care of yourself as well."

"I did have a thorough bath after I came back from when I went out to get drunk, after he moved out," Ragnar says, a tad defensive, because if she thinks he's not taking care of himself, it must mean he stinks, right?

"That's good," Alana says, a little stymied. "Bathing is necessary. It's good to hear that you're taking care of yourself."

"Then why did you think I didn't?"

"I didn't," Alana says, titling her head. "I only said that you should, not that you haven't been."

"But why?" Ragnar asks, confused.

"Because if you don't take care of yourself, you can't be there for Athelstan," Alana says, peering at him. "Plus it's just good to do besides."

"I can be there for him if I smell," Ragnar argues, "unless it's so bad he doesn't want me there."

He is very confused now.