Та все ОК

by Debbie Tung, Деббі Тан, Марина Дубина (Translator)

Авторка бестселера «Тиха дівчина у гучному світі» створила збірку коміксів про тривожність і депресію, сповнену мʼякого гумору й глибоких сенсів, бо інколи навіть такі прості речі, як встати з ліжка, видаються непосильними подвигами.

«Та все ОК» — це графічний мемуар про боротьбу Деббі з тривожністю й про її досвід депресії. Тут вона показує, що таке продовжувати жити, коли надміру думаєш про кожен можливий найгірший випадок і почуваєшся так, ніби надії не лишилося взагалі. Вона досліджує власний шлях із гумором і співчуттям, доходячи висновків про важливість психічного здоровʼя й про те, як приймати і хороше, і погане, коли життя виходить з-під контролю.

Можливо, ви проживаєте схожий досвід або просто зіткнулися з труднощами — Деббі хоче вам сказати, щоб ви були до себе лагідними. Ви — не одні. І ваші проблеми з психічним здоровʼям або чимось іншим не визначають вашої цінності. Темні хмари над вами не назавжди. Врешті-решт усе буде гаразд.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Comics, Memoir, Adult, Graphic Novels Comics

200 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2022

About the author

Deborah "Debbie" Tung is a comic artist and illustrator from Birmingham, England. Her work is based on simple (and sometimes awkward) everyday life moments and her love for books and tea. She lives with her husband and son.

Follow Debbie on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @debbietungart

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Reviews

[Tola Grupa · Rating 3 out of 5]

jesli ktos malo wie o depresji, ale nie przepada za ciezka forma, badz jest mlodszy, to na pewno pozycja dla niego. Ja nie jestem targetem, dla mnie byla ciut zbyt prosta, za bardzo infantylna- chociaz wierze, ze czesci czytelnikow ta ksiazka sprawi wiele dobrego.

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some days are just shit. It happens to us all and it feels like the day is out to sabotage you. But then there are times when it feels like your own self is trying to sabotage you no matter what you do, even sabotaging your drive to do something about it. Everything Is OK is an honest and soothing graphic novel by Debbie Tung that tackles the latter issue and serves as a memoir opening up about her own depression. As someone that has also struggled with depression off and on throughout life, I found this very relatable and I think that Tung is really wonderful for being able to be so upfront with her own life as a way to reach others and help them through hard times and remember that they are not alone. Because you aren’t alone and even when it seems impossible to go forward or that nobody cares, there are people who do care and you can get through it (also know there are many resources to help and people to provide aid and support), and sometimes half the struggle is just recognizing you need help. Which there is no shame in doing, as Everything Is OK does a great job of demonstrating. This is a playful yet very raw and emotional read and Tung’s adorable artwork helps guide you through the memoir that is perhaps a bit basic with broadstroke advice but nonetheless moving and heartwarming.

Relatable

I feel like it doesn’t get talked about enough that depression can come in many different forms and can present as individually as we are all unique individuals. Someone smiling and cracking jokes can still be trying to desperately keep their head above water internally, for instance I find I’m usually at my most humorous and quickest with a good one-liner during my darkest times. Which is also something that gets ignored often—depression can manifest in bouts mania or intense activity and creativity. I find I try to push thoughts aside by taking on too much to try to feel better about myself and often make jokes like wow I’m burning through novels super quick I should probably check on my mental health. It’s funny to others because, yep, I read a lot of pretty dark novels and actually because I enjoy them, but in reality it’s not the content its the sudden sleepless drive that I need to watch for. Not that you can really control when depression might strike and it’s often like a Stephen King jump scare showing up on a sunny day in a crowded place. Which is also an aspect I find really tragic about depression is how you can be surrounded by people yet still be feeling really alone. And second guessing every encounter or assuming the worst. For many, getting out of bed can be hard or their inner thoughts are so loud they never feel rested and are anxious about everything to come. And sometimes even though you know you are just down and should get up, get out, maybe go for a run or do something to get out of the rut, you just simply cannot. Or even your favorite things suddenly give you no joy. Debbie Tung captures these feelings quite effectively here.

Whew, long interlude but lets talk about this book some more. I quite enjoyed Book Love by her and she has a knack at capturing what makes her, her so I was interested to see how she would handle another very relatable topic. Lately I often wonder ‘is anyone doing okay right now?!’ and I suspect a lot of people will get something out of this book, even if its just a better perspective on depression. It goes through her personal experiences, from panic attacks to worrying her therapist won’t like her and more, all while being supported by a very patient and loving partner so I’m so glad she had that. It really made me feel for her and she really allows herself to be vulnerable here. There are a lot of great messages about recognizing the problem, seeking help, and keeping with it too.


Some aspects really hit home. She talks about how there is still such a stigma around mental health, showing how when you have a cold people are quick to be supportive and tell you to feel better. But mental health people often judge you, think you are trying to get attention or make excuses for behavior. We’ve certainly made progress on this front but always can do better and we need to allow people the space to process and be themselves and make room to allow ourselves to feel emotion instead of keeping it bottled up. As a child I was told boys don’t cry and I’m glad I didn’t listen because I fucking love a good cry when needed--hell I just sobbed my eyes out at the Barbie movie. No shame. Cry at movies, its the coolest.
But I also really related to the therapist scenes. I’m so bad at therapists, I always just want to tell them ‘you helped me!’ so they feel good about themselves and feel like they are good at their jobs I guess? But also being vulnerable is hard. Lets all make space to let people be more vulnerable.

Everything is OK is a sweet little graphic memoir. It gets rather same-y and might be overly long, as well as not really being all that unique despite being her individual story, but all the same it is a lovely read. I would encourage anyone to check it out, especially if any of this sounds relatable. And also take care of your mental health, friends, and check in on each other.

3.5/5


You don’t need permission from anyone to be yourself

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry throughout the entire read because it's so relatable!

Debbie's work is always honest, raw and meaningful. This collection is by far the best I would say.

For someone like me who have anxiety, I was able to know what she's trying to say. For the parts which represents other mental health conditions, I can understand how it feels to be all alone despite having everyone around you but feeling helpless at the same time.

You are strong. You are someone who's making people around the world to become more aware about mental health (anxiety, depression and so on). Thank you for this, for bringing out this book. It means a lot.

Thank you, Andrews McMeel, for the advance reading copy.

[Nikola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastyczna

[come book · Rating 5 out of 5]

To było mi potrzebne ❤️‍🩹

Zauważenie siebie w książce bywa bolesne, ale to też najpiękniejsze uczucie na świecie, bo widzicie, że nie jesteście ze swoimi problemami sami.

Zmagam się z zaburzeniami lękowymi, jestem w trakcie terapii i tak jak bohaterka długo odsuwałam od siebie myśl, że „zasługuje na wyleczenie”. Przecież moje problemy nie są wcale duże, każdy się martwi czasem…

„Wszystko w porządku” było też dla mnie cegiełką w procesie „wracania do siebie”, dlatego jestem wdzięczna autorce, że postanowiła się otworzyć przed czytelnikami i włożyć w nią całą siebie

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw that Debbie Tung had a new graphic memoir out, I knew I wanted to check it out because I had previously enjoyed her book, Quiet Girl in a Noisy World.

Everything is Ok is the author’s exploration of her struggle with anxiety and depression. Her illustrations are gorgeous. Tung is exceptional at depicting her feelings in her artwork. She expresses many sentiments that are relatable to people with mental health issues.

The book does an excellent job of showing the process of dealing with depression and anxiety in a hopeful way. Overall, I found it to be uplifting, and it may be helpful to people who are dealing with these issues.

[Rosh (on a medical break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant graphic memoir depicting the author’s battle with depression and anxiety, and her journey towards recovery.

I have read plenty of sequential art novels, and though I have many favourite artists in this genre, my absolute favourite is Debbie Tung because I feel like she GETS me. Her art speaks to introverts as well as book lovers, and I am very firmly in both categories. Her “Quiet Girl in a Noisy World” is my number one recommendation in the sequential art novel category.

With this book, Debbie ventures into more personal territory, as it describes her struggles with anxiety and depression. As someone who has taken a long time to be (somewhat) comfortable in her own skin, I, once again, found myself enamoured with her words and her thoughts.

This book is for everyone who is feeling lost or overwhelmed. Debbie honestly portrays all that she felt during the dark days when depression took over – feelings of inadequacy, not wanting to get out of bed, not being able to speak for herself, imposter syndrome, social anxiety,… Outwardly, she still went, “Everything is ok/fine”, but inwardly, she was floundering. The twist in the situation comes when she acknowledges that she needs help, and that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. After this point, the book depicts the change in her mindset. No, it’s not a miraculous turnaround; this isn’t fiction after all. Debbie is very real in her approach, depicting how she still finds it difficult to face life on some days. But small progress is still progress, and every bit of positive thinking helps alleviate the monster in the mind. The final section gets a tad too motivational/self-help for my liking and feels a bit random in its sequencing. But on the whole, brilliant content.

Debbie was lucky to have a supportive husband and an outstanding therapist. Family and medical support are crucial in battling mental health issues, and I am so happy for her that she had both in her life.

Her art style in the books I’ve read has a dominant B&W colour palette. This style works wonderfully for the topic at hand. In this book, she also incorporates a rainbow-style colouring on a few pages, to distinguish them from the negative ones. These are the thoughts that are more hopeful. I loved this contrast and it works wonderfully in sync with the content.

If you are someone batting mental health issues, OR you know someone facing this problem and you want to be a good family member/friend, pick up this book. It offers you a genuine glimpse into the minds of sufferers, and of what can help them. It is important to remember that this is from the point of view of the patient and not the disorder itself. There are no textbook definitions or explanations of what anxiety or depression means. No medical jargon at all.

I won’t count this work as my favourite Debbie Tung book, but I still feel that is a must-read in today’s world where mental health issues are growing more common but are still taboo to talk about. Strongly recommended.

4.25 stars.

My thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Everything Is OK”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.



———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter

[Shaghayegh · Rating 2 out of 5]

بخشی از چت من در تاریخ 25 دسامبر 2021

_امشب یه چیزی رو فهمیدم :)
راجع به حرف اون شبم
و پی بردم از بی‌ارادگیم نیست
حتی از همین هفته پیش که بهم گفتی با هم درس بخونیم و من هیچ روز عملیش نکردم
فهمیدم مشکل از تنبلی و بی‌ارادگیم نیست
حتی اینکه همین دیروز بهت از پیجم و ایده‌هام گفتم
و امروز پشیمونم از پیج زدن!
از پاییز پارسال تا الان
من به هیچ سمتی نرفتم
درباره کار خوندم و سمتش نرفتم
به‌خاطر کسی که دوستش دارم به زبان علاقمند شدم و برای زبانم کاری نکردم
در کل خیلی چیزا که دوست داشتم رو فقط دوست داشتم
سمتشون نرفتم
ازشون ترسیدم
حتی انجام نداده پشیمون شدم
به کتاب ها رجوع کردم
تا اون شوق رو در خودم پیدا کنم
گاها از ته دل خوشحال می‌شدم
در اون لحظه احساس خوشبختی می‌کردم
اما وقتی اون لحظه تموم می‌شد
به زندگی عادیم ادامه می‌دادم
روزا تا لنگ ظهر می‌خوابیدم
و شبا با گوشی ور می‌رفتم
می‌دیدم که آدم‌ها چطور ادامه میدن
اما فقط تماشاگر بودم
می‌خوردم، می‌خوابیدم
می‌دیدم
می‌خوندم
و ادامه نمی‌دادم
و امروز وقتی با مامان حرف زدم
و بهم گفت تو همه چیزت اوکی هست
خونواده‌ی خوبی داری
چیزایی که دوست داری برات فراهمن
اما هیچ کاری نمی‌کنی
با اینکه همه چی داری
نتونستم جوابی بدم
بعد حرفامون کل خونه رو تمیز کردم، حین تمیزکردن به این پی بردم نه
من نمی‌تونم حرفی بزنم از خودم
چون با خودم در جنگم
خودمم نمیدونم چرا هستم
خودمم نمیدونم برای چی زنده‌م
و از پارسال تا به امروز
فقط نگاه کردم که دوستام قدمی بر میدارن و من سر جای اولم هستن
و یهو فکر کردم نکنه من افسرده‌م!
و بیشتر فکر کردم
هی سرامیک رو پاک می‌کردم و هی ذهنم رو شست‌وشو می‌دادم
و بیشتر گر می‌گرفتم
و دیدم اره
من خیلی وقت هست که افسرده‌م
و افسردگی به این معنا نیست که نخندم، تو جمع نباشم
گاهی همه این کارا رو می‌کنی و بازم افسرده‌ای
و اون چیزی که حس می‌کنم وجه تشابه همه آدمای افسرده‌س
این هست که دوست دارن تا مدتی کاری نکنن
صبر کنن تا بگذره
تا یه روز دوباره مثل قبل بشن
و فهمیدم این منم
و بغض کردم
می‌دونی من خیلی خیلی تونی رو می‌فهمم
تونی افتر لایف رو میگم
اینکه به جایی رسیده که دوست داره تمومش کنه
و نمی‌تونه تمومش کنه
کارش رو داره
دوستاش رو داره
خونه داره
سگ وفادارش هست
حالا تونی با مرگ عزیزاش به پوچی رسیده
من همینجوری بهش رسیدم
می‌دونی خیلی دوست دارم با یکی درباره حسم حرف بزنم
چون به ظاهر انگار اوکی هستم
ولی کسی که کارام رو ببینه
و مثلا با پارسال مقایسه کنه
می‌فهمه که من نسبت به پارسال هیچ کاری نکردم
یه جورایی متوقف شدم
انگار این زمانی که می‌گذره برام مهم نیست
مثلا بخوام از چند تا کاری که می‌خواستم بکنم و نکردم بگم
پیدا کردن شغل
یا حتی یه کار کوچیک رو بخوام بگم
ریویو نوشتن تو گودریدز
با اینکه از پارسال تا الان ۵۱ کتاب خوندم
و با همه‌شون زندگی کردم
اما جرأت نکردم برای همه‌شون ریویو بنویسم
اینکه گفته‌هام ارزشی ندارن
عالی نیستن
و اصلا با وجود اون همه ریویوی خوب
نوشتن نظرم چه فایده‌ای داره
باعث شده چیزی ننویسم
منی که تو زندگیم دستاوردی نداشتم
اشتراکش با بقیه چه فایده ای داره!
تنهاترم میکنه!
با اینکه می‌دونم نوشته هام ارزش خوندن دارن
می‌دونم چیز بد نمیذارم و سعی میکنم از هر اتفاقی به یه چیزی برسم که به اون اتفاق ساده معنا بده
تو سریال maid
شخصیت اصلیش به جایی رسیده بود که برای خودش حرکتی نمی‌کرد
بعد قشنگ نشون داد انگار این شخصیت ته گودال هست
و اون تو دراز کشیده
خودش رو بغل کرده
و به مرور بلند شد
برای خودش یه کاری کرد
من هنوز بلند نشدم
می‌دونم که باید بشم
و ازون طرف هم میگم بلند شم که چی
درباره ی هر کاری فکر می‌کنم بعدا پشیمون میشم
یا اگه یکم باهاش وقت صرف کنم
ازش دلزده میشم
اما این کاری نکردن
این توقف
باعث میشه به شدت مضطرب شم
و به شدت در همون حالت قبل بمونم
حتی اگه حرفش هم پیش بیاد
یهو سرخ میشم
و خودمم نمی‌دونم چی بگم
اینکه چرا کاری نمی‌کنم
...

بخشی از چت من در تاریخ 14 آوریل 2023

+به نظرت اگه به کودکیت‌ برمی‌گشتی کدوم رویات بود که دوست داشتی واقعیش‌ کنی؟
به نظرم همون میشه هدفت
_من تو بچگی از این رویاها نداشتم
اگه هم چیزی به زبون می‌آوردم صرفا برای اینکه کلمه دهن پرکنی بود. وگرنه نمی‌فهمیدم چه دنیایی پشتشه.
برای همین زیاد رو کودکیم حساب باز نمیکنم. همونطور که رو حرف چند سال پیشم نمی‌تونم حساب باز کنم.
می‌دونی...چیزهایی که می‌خواستم خواسته‌ی قلبیم نبودن. با اینکه توشون خوب بودم ولی ته قلبم اون چیزی نبود که می‌خواستم. برای همین رها می‌شدن. من آدم های زیادی رو دیدم که رویا داشتن ولی به چیزی رسیدن که حتی نزدیکش هم نبود. هیچ‌وقت این کار رو نکردم با اینکه می‌تونستم. برای همین تن به دانشگاه ندادم.
+امکان نداره. حتما یه چیزی بوده که با فکر بهش تو بچگی لبخند می‌زدی. چیزی که می‌گفتی من حتما باید انجامش بدم وقتی بزرگ شدم
_من حافظه‌ی خوبی تو به خاطر سپردن و شخم زدن بعضی چیزا ندارم. حتی خونواده هم اشاره‌ای نکردن ارزوم چی بوده. از دوران نوجوونی یادشون هست که اونم هی تغییر می‌کرد و ثباتی نداشت.
+الان چیزی نیست که بخوایش و به خودت بگی خیلی دیره؟
_واقعیتش من دارک‌تر از اون کسیم که به نظر می‌رسم.
دلم فقط می‌خواد یه یخچال مثه ازونایی که فضانوردا توش می‌خوابن گیر بیارم و سال ها بخوابم.
+تو فضای تاریک و معلق تنهای تنها
_آره. دلم میخواد فقط خودم باشم و خودم. وقتی بیدار میشم کسی نباشه.
...

و حالا بعد از چند سال
دوباره چشمم به جستجوگر گوگل می‌خوره. تایپ می‌کنم من افسرده‌م؟ و صفحه‌ی گوشیم پر میشه از هزاران مقاله و آزمون و تجربه‌‌هایی که بهم میگن تنها نیستم. بهم میگن عیبی نداره اگه حالم خوش نیست و در عین حال میگن یه فکری به حال خودم بکنم و از کسی کمک بخوام.
روز بعدش چشمم به کمیک دیگه‌ای از دبی می‌خوره و صفحات یکی پس از دیگری ورق می‌خورن. باز هم ردپای زندگیم رو تو کتاب می‌بینم اما دبی عزیزم، من باهات مخالفم. همه چیز اوکی نیست و قرار هم نیست باشه. می‌دونم سال‌هاست ناخوشم و حتی همین الانش هم بخش‌های شاخ و برگ زده‌ی زندگیم رو به اشتراک گذاشتم. چون نمی‌خوام کسی بدونه وضعیتم فراتر از این حرفاست و فقط به هدف و این کصشعرها ختم‌ نمیشه.
من با افکار تاریکی دست و پنجه نرم می‌کنم. چیزهایی که نمی‌تونم ازشون بگم و مثل تو کسی رو ندارم که گوش بده و قضاوتم نکنه. با اینکه همیشه‌ی خدا برای بقیه شنونده‌ی خوبی بودم و اگه کاری هم از دستم برنمیومد، لااقل سعی می‌کردم فقط باشم.
یکی از نزدیک‌ترین آدم‌های زندگیم رو سر افسردگیم از دست دادم. به کسی که دوستم داشت حتی اجازه‌ی این رو ندادم که تلاشش رو بکنه، چون خودم رو لایقش نمی‌دونستم. موقعیت‌هایی برام پیش اومد که می‌دونستم از پسش برمیام اما تجربه‌شون نکردم چون نمی‌خواستم پا از اون چاه فراتر بذارم. من اون نور کم‌سویی که صورتم رو تو اوج تاریکی، روشن می‌کنه می‌بینم. من صدای بلند افکارم رو وقتی با خودم در جدالم می‌شنوم. من حتی می‌دونم کسی طنابی نمی‌ندازه و خودم باید از این مخمصه رها شم. اما تن رنجورم رو سال‌ها تکون ندادم. به کسی نگفتم کمک... کمکم کنین. دیواره‌های چاه رو لمس نکردم تا ببینم جاپای خوبی دارن تا ازشون بالا برم یا نه. حتی روزهایی می‌شد که فکر می‌کردم اگه این چاه رو پر کنن بالاخره صدام درمیاد؟ و به یقین می‌رسیدم که نه. چون کارم رو برای مردن راحت‌تر می‌کردن.‌
اما حالا می‌خوام از این چاه بیرون بیام. دبی عزیزم، نمی‌خوام ذات دنیا رو کتمان کنم. دنیا زیبایی‌های خودش رو داره و در عین حال تو گوه فرو رفته. نمی‌دونم کی این سیفون رو می‌کشه اما تا اون موقع سعی می‌کنم ادامه بدم.
همه چیز اوکی نیست...

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering

"Love yourself a little more today "

It hit home in ways I didn’t expect. I felt every page — the fear, the anxiety, the overthinking, the self-doubt. The dark thoughts that quietly consume your very existence. The unreasonable guilt, the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves, the pressure, the imposter syndrome, the forced smiles and the fake “I’m fine.” The bottled-up emotions that eventually explode into overwhelming waves of confusion, rage, or numbness.

The mental exhaustion. The online quizzes, desperately trying to understand what’s “wrong” with you. The coping mechanisms built to protect, that only seem to isolate. The unmatched effort to stay strong, even when inside, you’re falling apart. The guilt of feeling like you’re not doing enough, even when you’ve achieved more than you realize.

The panic attacks were illustrated in a way that felt so real — it reminded me of Inside Out 2, when anxiety took over the controls and couldn’t stop. I cried in that scene, because it was too relatable. This book evoked the same emotional release.

It also reminded me of those quiet moments, looking at people and wondering what invisible battles they’re fighting too. The mind's dark wanderings, the relentless inner critic, and the exhausting effort we put in — just to buy a few peaceful minutes. Because without them, the monsters in our minds will devour us.

But beyond all that darkness, this book is light. It’s healing. It’s understanding. It’s someone holding your hand and whispering, “You’re not broken. You’re human.”

Debbie Tung used her platform not just to tell a story, but to create a space for validation, education, compassion, and deep, quiet hope. You can feel the care and love in every frame. This is more than just a book — it’s a gentle companion through the hardest chapters of life.

This is a healing journey wrapped in illustrations.


---

Some of the quotes that stayed with me:

"If you hide something inside yourself for too long...you break. "

"Even if the world around me is silent , it's always loud inside my head."


"Perhaps the hardest thing we ever do is admit we need help. To put our pride and denial aside and allow ourselves to be vulnerable.
Asking for help was the most courageous thing I ever did. It meant that I refused to
give up and I wanted to give myself
a chance to heal."

"You are not defined by your productivity"

"Most of the things we say to ourselves, we'd never say to the people we care about"

"Modern life encourages us to keep busy and value our worth based on our productivity. There is constant fear and pressure to achieve and there is always not enough time to get anything done.
We all move so fast and consume so much. We often forget how much we are taking on board every day and how much we miss when we don't stop to look around."

"Pay attention to your own path, you don't need validation from others "

"Nobody knows what they're doing "

"Their is no right way to do life. We're all winging it. And we are all doing the best we can "

"Be kind to others, but don't forget to be kind to yourself too"

"It's the little victories that keep me going"

"It's not always the big things that count. Joy comes in the little and ordinary moments"

"That must have been very hard... To be told to be different when you were just being yourself."

"Most of the time the hardest person to forgive is myself "

"Patient: I have everything I need and a loving family.

Therapist: But that doesn't mean you don't face challenges.It doesn't mean everything in your life is perfect. It definitely doesn't mean you are immune to depression and anxiety."

"When something doesn't go the way we want it to,it's easy to just see it as a failure.
But it's more like a chapter in our journey.
We learn something from it "

"When we take a step back and realize that this isn't the end . We can move in and start living again "


"Don't be afraid of change, sometimes it can show you a new beginning "

"It takes courage to come out of a dark place, it's okay if you need more time "

"Spread kindness always, you never know who else is suffering, at the end of the day, love wins"

"You are not worthless when you are struggling or going through a hard time.
You matter right now , Just the way you are."

"Everyone is going through something, even if you can't see it. You're not alone in this, even if it feels like you are"

"Some of the best days are simple "

"When the storm comes again, I know I can manage "

"Be gentle to yourself and take your time to heal"


"Take a moment to acknowledge how far you've come"


"Small progress is still progress!"


"Love yourself a little more today "

[give me books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taka prosta, a taka piękna

[not my high]

Nie oceniam historii osobistej. Myślę, że wiele z nas zna osoby, które potrzebują tej książki jako momentu przełomowego.

Tematy: depresja, wypalenie, terapia

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

My third book by Deborah Tung, who writes about what she experiences: Books, introversion, and now depression, all core elements of her identity. I think if you are depressed and lost and have never talked about what is going on in your life, this is the book for you. I have at this point read SO many books about anxiety/depression that this seems familiar to me (you can see my GN-Psych library) but Tung's artwork--with cuteness and vulnerability and lots of space for reflection, simple, direct, is relatable. It's good!

I know her very large following will appreciate this, especially her honesty, her willingness to reach out to others. Obviously we are in a world-wide depression crisis, so lots of people should read it (and books like it).

[luna_inthesouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!!!🌟

SOBBING!!!!!

[Dream.M · Rating 3 out of 5]

من معتقدم به تعداد آدم های روی زمین، شکل های متفاوت افسردگی وجود داره. افسردگی همیشه خودشو با انزوا و گوشه گیری نشون نمیده؛ حداقل درمورد من اینطور نیست. من هروقت توی دوره های افسردگی هستم تمایل شدیدی دارم خودمو فعال و خوشحال نشون بدم، و این درحالیکه از درون درحال مرگ هستم و گاهی حتی بلند کردم پام برای بیرون اومدن از تخت مثل جون کندنه. اما من دقیقا به همین علت هزارتا کار رو همزمان باهم انجام میدم؛ خودمو شلوغ میکنم، لبخند میزنم تا مغزم رو گمراه کنم. اما متاسفانه زور افسردگی بیشتره و صدای افکار درونی‌م انقدر بلند و آزار دهنده اس که هیچ لحظه ای احساس رضایت و آرامش ندارم و مغزم گول نمی‌خوره.
از اون بدتر، آنهدونیا ست؛ احساس بی‌علاقگی و لذت نبردن از چیزها و کارهای مورد علاقه. برای آدمی مثل من که عاشق حرف زدن، کتاب خوندن، نقاشی، ورزش و غذا خوردنه، لذت نبردن از هیچکدوم اینها خودِ جهنمه.
یک جنبه دیگه از افسردگی و شاید غم‌انگیزترین شکلش برام وقتیه که احساس تنهایی شدید میکنم و حتی وقتی توی جمع خانواده و دوستانم هستم، بازم احساس جداافتادگی مطلق میکنم و نسبت به هر رابطه‌ای شک و وحشت دارم.
مثلن امروز کنار دوستم توی ماشینش نشسته بودیم، با صدای بلند موزیک گوش می‌دادیم و میرفتیم که پولمونو تو پاساژ دور بریزیم. خیلی خوشحال بنظر می‌رسیدیم اما توی همون لحظه من درحالی‌که ناخن هامو توی کف دستام فشار میدادم سعی می‌کردم گریه نکنم و گند نزنم به حال و هوا، و مدام از خودم می‌پرسیدم پس چه مرگته؟ چرا خوشحال نیستی؟ چرا حالت هنوز بده؟
راستش من اصلن یادم نمیاد کِی واقعن حالم خوب بوده و آیا اصلن تاحالا حالم خوب بوده؟
خیلی دوست ندارم وقتی حالم بده درموردش با کسی حتی دوستام حرف بزنم. نمیخوام خسته‌شون کنم، نمیخوام از دست‌شون بدم و نمیخوام از روی وضعیت روانم قضاوت بشم. گاهی وقتا حتی اعضای خانواده هم آدمو قضاوت میکنن و فکر میکنن اگه خودتو آسیب‌پذیر نشون میدی یعنی داری جلب توجه و مهرطلبی میکنی و این واقعن دردناکه.
خب البته الان آگاهی توی این چیزها بیشتر شده ولی همچنان راه خیلی طولانی باقی مونده.
همه اینهایی که گفتم (و کلی چیزهایی که توی دلم هست و نگفتم) برای اینه که این کتاب Everything Is OK رو معرفی کنم.
یک گرافیک ناول درباره افسردگی که از تجربه شخصی نویسنده و گرافیست‌ش الهام گرفته. این کتاب هیچ راه حل و دستورالعملی نداره؛ و فقط نشون میده یک آدم افسرده دنبا رو چطوری می‌بینه و چطوری حسش میکنه.
کتاب یکم طولانیه و ممکنه بعضی جاها تکراری باشه ولی پوینتش دقیقا در همینه که توی افسردگی آدم درگیر افکار تکراری میشه و این خیلی عالی نشون داده شده.
من خوندن این #گرافیک_ناول رو دوست داشتم و پیشنهادش میکنم. فکر میکنم خوندن و فهمیدن درباره اختلالات روان خیلی مهمه و کمک میکنه بیشتر مراقب سلامت روان خودمون و دوستامون باشیم.

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is just as relatable as quiet girl in a noisy world.

I loved that she started to use colors to show different mental states, thoughts etc.

Preordered myself the physical book 😎

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I appreciate Tung sharing her deeply personal mental health journey and advice with all of us, this was… really repetitive, almost trite sounding at times, and kind of a slog. There’s very little that’s new here when it comes to talking about or depicting struggles with anxiety or depression, and I don’t think this added much to discussions on mental health that hasn’t already been said (but better). There’s also very little connective tissue or pacing that works for me, so everything comes across as a scattershot of therapy one-liners on depression and anxiety that masquerade as profound revelations. It feels like reading someone’s tumblr—which is fine for tumblr, but I expect more out of an actual published book.

Not to mention that everything has been so gently smoothed over that the end result is a mental health arc that reads as glossy oversimplification. While I recognized many of Tung’s thoughts and experiences from my own mental health journey, I never once felt the jagged rawness that come from dealing with depression and anxiety while reading this. I appreciate Tung making something beautiful and comforting out of a painful mental health journey, but I found that it came at the cost of making something that feels real.

Plus—jeez, this felt way too long. (Maybe Tung just needs a better editor?)

I know this sounds really harsh, but at the end of the day this felt like the numerous essays I wrote in high school about my own struggles with anxiety and depression. And not in a great way. However, if reading this helped someone out there who needed it, then this book will have done its job and I appreciate it for that.

[Harun Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

বই, ভালোবাসা, অন্তর্মুখিতার পর ডেবি টাংয়ের এবারের বিষয় ডিপ্রেশন। বরাবরের মতোই ভালো। কঠিন বিষয়কে সহজে কথায় ও ছবিতে উপস্থাপনে ডেবি অত্যন্ত পারঙ্গম। এ বইটা অনেককেই সাহায্য করবে আশা করা যায়।

[Sara Woś · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bardzo potrzebna, ważna i przystępna powieść graficzna.

[Innis ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ОК бути НЕ ОК 🫂🖤

Вкотре дякую Деббі Тан за важливу розмову, розуміння та підтримку! Заплакала кожну сторінку 😭

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed all of Debbie Tung's other comic books, so when I realized there was a new one out I hadn't read yet, I immediately picked it up. I didn't realize going into it that this book would hold a much more serious and heavy tone than her other collections, but wow, it was so good.

Everything Is OK delves into the author's experiences with being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, all the way from hitting rock bottom to where she is now, which is thankfully in a stable, healthier place. As someone who has dealt with my own mental illnesses (including depression and anxiety) since childhood, and is now in a pretty stable and healthy place as well, I felt like I was looking in a mirror and it was kind of the bookish equivalent of being wrapped in a warm, solid hug by someone who fully understood where I've been and how far I've come, and I loved that.

I think it's incredibly brave and beautiful of Tung to open up to her readers like this, and I'm grateful that she did. I love that she even included segments of her therapy appointments, including specific advice that she was given that could help anyone reading this book, too. I'd recommend this for anyone who struggles with mental illness, regardless of where you're at in your journey, and I'm so happy I read it! ♥

✨ Content warnings for: depression, anxiety, internalized ableism, suicidal thoughts (brief/vague)

———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog

[Nilo0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

دوسش داشتم. تصاویرش قشنگ بود و حس‌وحالی داشت که همه‌مون تجربه‌ش کردیم.
کتاب بیشتر با تاکید بر افسردگی و اضطراب و حالیه که خود تصویرگر تجربه کرده. اما همه‌مون تجربه‌ش رو داریم. واسه همین خیلی ملموسه و با تصاویرش خیلی راحت با کتاب همراه می‌شیم.
کتاب نه انگیزشیه نه دنبال امید دادن الکی. صرفا تجربه فردی تصویرگره به همراه تصاویر که قطعا خودمون یاد تجربه خودمون در این زمینه می‌افتیم و اینکه این شرایط افسردگی یا اضطراب ممکنه برای هرکسی رخ بده اما دائمی نیست و می‌شه ازش گذر کرد و روزهای خوب و بد در کنار همدیگه زندگی رو می‌سازن.
کاش کتاب‌های دیگه این نویسنده هم ترجمه و چاپ شه.

[Steph ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, I related HARD! I adore Debbie's books. But after a recently pursuing an ADHD diagnosis, I saw so much more of myself in this book. I know it surrounds depression and anxiety (of which I have both) but I also read so much more into some of these illustrations that heavily related to my ADHD. I'll read anything else Debbie comes out with!

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

A few years ago I read cartoonist Debbie Tung’s debut, her sequential-art memoir about being introverted: Quiet Girl in a Noisy World. As I say in my review, I was dismayed that Tung confuses social anxiety and sensory-processing sensitivity (aka “high sensitivity”) with introversion, thereby reinforcing damaging misconceptions about introversion. I questioned whether she’s genuinely introverted or whether she instead needs therapy. In Everything Is OK, Tung recognizes that she is anxious and depressed (although she mentions only feeling sensitive, not ticking boxes on the highly sensitive person checklist). Nevertheless, like many sequential-art memoirs about mental illness, Everything Is OK doesn’t seem to need an audience.

I won’t say Tung is self-absorbed, but giving this impression is a pitfall when publishing about one’s psychological struggles. Balance is absolutely vital. Such writers should approach disclosure strategically so readers never doubt that the information needs to be shared and has something thought-provoking to say. Everything Is OK doesn’t satisfy those two criteria. The book is seventy percent Tung in the throes of her various distresses and thirty percent hollow platitudes meant to serve as a pep talk to herself and, assumedly, to her readers. Some may find platitudes powerful, but it’s hard to identify what’s insightfully actionable in

Some days can be hard. But keep putting one foot in front of the other. You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t have to be able to see the finish line. Just showing up and getting on with things is being brave.

or

It’s OK to take time off and just be idle for a while. Give yourself a chance to recharge and reflect on things. You might even discover something new. Be kind to others. But don’t forget to be kind to yourself too.

The fact that platitudes require endless repetition seems proof they don’t offer quality help.

A few panels show Tung in therapy with a psychologist whose guidance is elementary and comfortable, not deeply perspective-shifting or probing in a way that shows a desire to locate and attack the root of the problem. Early major life events and core relationships in childhood shape the adult psyche, yet Tung’s therapist doesn’t ask about the author’s relationship with her primary caregivers growing up. She doesn’t ask about any trauma or other life-altering experiences. If the therapist did do these things but for privacy reasons Tung refrained from sharing such intimacy with readers, brief and hinting depictions could have been enough to show real therapeutic work occurred. Instead Tung shows that her therapist’s training has come from mass-produced home-decor plaques and social media: She advises the author to take time for “self care” and asks Tung whether she’d talk to a friend the way she talks to herself. With such uninsightful guidance it’s no wonder Tung continues to struggle.

Besides this and Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, the author has yet a third book centered on her struggles: My Perfectly Imperfect Body, her most recent to date. Tung’s excessive self-criticism may be helping line her wallet, but it appears to also be robbing her of peace and healthy well-being. She doesn’t self-reflect productively—in other words, in a way that shows her arriving at the origin of her distress. Her thought-looping fixation on her flaws and with her life in general, rather than leading to self-understanding, is hindering her. If Tung has any ability in creative writing, moving away from writing about her personal life and toward writing fictional entertainment seems like a true step toward good mental health.

LOG: Review posted October 9, 2026.

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books by Debbie Tung never cease to amaze me because they are always so relatable. They are unadulterated, attainable, and gorgeous in every manner.

[Nea · Rating 3 out of 5]

حاوی اسپویل

نمی‌دونم این کتاب واقعا بر اساس تجربه‌های خود دبی تانگ نوشته شده یا نه، ولی داستان درباره یه آدمیه که با افسردگی و اضطراب درگیره، تشخیص داده میشه، جلسات درمانی میره و کم‌کم روند بهبودش رو طی می‌کنه. از این نظر که تجربه‌های زیسته یه فرد رو میاد بازتاب میده و با تصویر سازی سعی میکنه توضیح بده، نقطه قوتش بود.

نقاشی‌هاش هم بامزه بودن.من این کتاب رو به صورت الکترونیکی از طاقچه و نشر پرتقال دریافت کردم. بعد از خوندنش متوجه شدم نسخه اصلی کتاب رنگیه، ولی نسخه‌ای که من خوندم کاملاً سیاه‌وسفید بود.

از یه سری جهات منو یاد «خواستم بمیرم ولی تصمیم گرفتم دوکبوکی بخورم» انداخت، ولی با این حال «تصمیم گرفتم گیاهی به نام خودم بکارم» رو بیشتر دوست داشتم. البته این کتاب هم بد نبود.

چیزی که دوست داشتم این بود که به آدم یادآوری می‌کنه تنها نیست و آدم‌های دیگه‌ای هم هستن که احساسات و مشکلات مشابهی رو تجربه می‌کنن. با این حال، با اینکه از خوندنش پشیمون نشدم، خیلی هم تحت تأثیرم قرار نداد و عاشقش نشدم.

حجمش کم بود و منم دنبال یه کتاب سبک و زودخوان بودم، برای همین از این نظر چیزی بود که می‌خواستم. فکر می‌کنم این کتاب برای کسایی که دارن دوران سختی رو می‌گذرونن هم می‌تونه کمک‌کننده باشه.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debbie Tung shares her story of grappling with depression and anxiety. It's done well enough, but at this point I have read so many autobiographical graphic novels about anxiety and other mental health issues, it is hard to stand out in the crowd. And I was not impressed with the artsy pages filled with stock self-help aphorisms, slogans, and cliches that are clearly designed to be posted, liked, and shared on social media (or a fridge or cube wall back in the day).

There is good, affirming advice though, and I hope it finds its way into the hands of people who will benefit from it.

[Bon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy publication week!
"Even if the world around me is silent, it's always loud inside my head."

I have really enjoyed the burgeoning genre of Self Help Comics. This was my first work of Debbie Tung, and I really related to some parts and enjoyed the artwork.

The panels on hypervigilance, stress multiplying stress, and anxiety kind of self-breeding were so relatable. Also the passages about just wanting to lay down when it feels like things aren't improving.

I did find it less relatable when it came to therapist panels, as that's not my jam, and the hesitance of the one therapist to prescribe meds felt a little preachy. Some of us need them, and behavioral therapy isn't an effective tool for everyone. Also, the material definitely felt repetitively dark and oppressive after a while. It clocks in at over 200 pages and the "It'll get better" panels take a lot of those pages to get to.

The artwork was lovely, a cool watercolor-looking style, although much of the art follows a gray/blue palette and adds to the dreary vibes (intentionally, but it just became a lot and made it all feel longer).

Overall a relatable comic, if not necessarily helpful for my own journey through mental health, and the art clearly took a lot of investment. 4 stars, and a thank you to Netgalley for a copy to review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As others have written, Debbie Tung's writing is so relatable and accessible. I also found it personally applicable. I may purchase this book, so I can read phrases over and over as a reminder. For example:

"I'm not failing..... I'm just taking a different route."

When I was 14-years old, I went through a very dark and lonely period and I remember telling myself that one day things would get better. I had no reasoning for this, and nothing to look forward to at that point. I just clung to that belief, and it turned out to be true!

Now in my 50's I continue to remind myself:

"You won't feel this way forever.
The storm will end.
One day, it will get better and you will be so grateful that you
didn't give up."

[Danai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short yet important graphic novel that takes the reader along on the rollercoaster that is depression, burnout, anxiety and overall mental health. Through the novel multiple sides of Tung's life are shown as she tries to come to terms with her mental health issues as well as do her best to cope healthily and treat herself with kindness. This book was perfect, as the author captivated the hope of recovery as well as offers of validation to the reader and advise.

[Hamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. It is very personal to the author, but it can be relatable for anybody that has anxiety, depression and specially for illustrators. I like that it can be a good way to introduce people who don't have these things to mental illness and the stigma around it. The illustrations and colors and texts all were clean and easy to follow.