Just Peachy: Comics About Depression, Anxiety, Love, and Finding the Humor in Being Sad

by Holly Chisholm

"In this autobiographical collection of thoughtful and poignant comic vignettes, Chisholm explores her experiences with depression, anxiety, and love ." —BooklistJust Peachy is a comic series that explores what the day-to-day is like with depression and/or anxiety. The all-too-real cartoon protagonist gives readers a character to empathize with, and helps explain some of the not often talked about consequences and symptoms of having depression. The comics also explore the themes of heartbreak, finding love, dealing with stress, and capturing the magical moments in life that keep us going.Through dark humor and cute illustrations, the subject matter becomes a bit more bearable, allowing for honest discussion about things like treatment and getting through anxiety attacks, and providing some comfort in times of struggle.For anyone affected by mental illness, Just Peachy shows that you are not alone. Simply put, this is an encouraging collection of comics about being just okay sometimes.“So brave of Holly Chisholm to share her struggles with mental health issues through this creative medium. Just Peachy will inspire others to connect to, navigate through, and recover from their own day-to-day trials and tribulations of living with a mental illness. Well done!” —Dr. Carlin Barnes and Dr. Marketa Wills, authors of Understanding Mental Illness and founders of Healthy Mind MDs

Genres: Graphic Novels, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Comics, Humor, Memoir, Self Help

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2019

Reviews

[Julia Sapphire · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

TW: Anxiety and Depression

This graphic novel explores the topics of anxiety and depression and tries to add a comedic component to it. There are little comics about these illnesses and with a personified version of depression, almost like a grim reaper type of thing.

This was just okay in my opinion, I could see what the author was trying to do but it was more of a miss for me. The art style was very nice and I loved the little accents with the colour peach. A lot of the comics contradicted one another which is where I had some issues.

Overall, it wasn't bad but it lacked for me in a few areas.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover assures us of “Comics About Depression, Anxiety, Love, and Finding the Humor in Being Sad”. Ah-yup. That's exactly what we’ve got here.

Holly Chisholm was diagnosed with depression and ADHD, and turned to comics as a way of working through her feelings. Although I am neither depressed nor do I have ADHD, I am closely acquainted with several people who are either or both. Chisholm definitely speaks from experience, as far as I can tell. There's an appealing mix of comedy and pathos in these strips. I can imagine someone diagnosed with depression or ADHD reading these and saying, “Yes! This woman gets it!”

I don't know. This book is a bit on the quiet side. There's nothing gut-bustingly funny, but it's definitely fun and appealing. I really like the point of view in these strips. Recommended!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely great and extremely relatable.

For some reason this was the second book about anxiety that I read today, the other one being Thin Slices of Anxiety: Observations and Advice to Ease a Worried Mind and I realize how much better this one is. It delves a lot deeper into anxiety and is both funny and insightful. These are the types of comics that help you feel less alone.

Would recommend 100%

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

These short cartoons aren't thigh-slappers, aren't all funny. What they are is useful illustrations in comics and cartoons. Holly Chisolm begins, in her Introduction, with her own mental health saga, and in four thematic chapters of page-length cartoon strips, documents feelings of: depression; anxiety; love and relationships; and growth. None of this is the last word on any of this. Most useful is her page/list of Resources (quoting):
"Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: 741741
Online Therapy/Coaching
betterhelp.com
talkspace.com
hellopriizm.com
App I use for Anxiety and Addiction
Headspace - Meditation app
I am Sober - Addiction Tracking App
Notepad - to write down my thoughts
ProCreate - How I draw all my comics
Podcasts ...

Books that have Helped Me" ... [4 listed]. You get the idea.
Just Peachy, an increasingly important combination of self-help, memoir, and comics, is brief, visually appealing, and useful. Recommended.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy, of galley, at my workplace, the Carlos Museum Bookshop. The book will be published in March, 2019.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is all right, but it just comes off lukewarm when I compare it to Maureen Wilson's Kind of Coping: An Illustrated Look at Life with Anxiety, which I read recently.

I did enjoy the few bits with the Mental Health Fairy. I feel like I have been that character to people in my life.

[Melle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentler and less intense than Allie Brosh's iconic Hyperbole and a Half but still just as honest and compassionate in its depiction of life with mental illness, Holly Chisholm's Just Peachy is another volume that helps tear down the taboo of mental illness and helps readers feel less alone. Recommended especially for fans of Sarah Andersen (Sarah's Scribbles) and Gemma Correll (The Worrier's Guide to Life). Mental illness sucks, but none of us face it alone, thanks to wonderful artists like these.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, good stuff

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a nice little collection of vignettes about dealing with anxiety, depression, and the ability to grow into more than one’s mental illness. That said, while I understood what Chisholm was going for, I kind of thought that, at least for me and for someone my age, that it came across kind of juvenile and not as nuanced as it could have been? It’s not necessarily a bad thing; I think this would be great for late teens and younger adults but for someone who is almost thirty and has dealt with anxiety for two decades, it just felt too simplistic for me.

The art is so damn cute though.

[Sonja P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book of comics about depression and anxiety and relationships, drawn simply and effectively. The more we talk about mental illness, the more we bring it into the light, the more people who will live. I believe that and I loved the dark humor, sweetness, and truth here.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy read. Still, some of the comics really hit home as someone who lives with depression and anxiety on a day to day basis.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra points for the resource page in the back, with hotline phone numbers, "Apps I use for anxiety and addiction," podcasts, and "Books that have helped me."

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like the author entered my head and then created this novel. Even though it's a little graphic novel, this one speaks VOLUMES. Anyone who has ever felt depressed, anxious, or even just down in the dumps should take the 30 minutes and read this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book just didn't do anything for me. It seems to be just disjunctive ramblings and drawings from someone who is depressed.

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really tough to rate a book like this. Other reviewers have said everything from this is lukewarm to this is awesome and have compared it to works by other authors, but the subject matter is so uniquely personal that I'm not sure it can be compared in that way. It should stand on its own merits. I enjoyed it a lot and I really like the insights the author had into these subjects and the humor used to put them across. Holly says in the afterward "I know my comics can be kind of sad, and they aren't that funny, but I hope they spoke to you" well they did, and they made me think; that's all that counts to me.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended for fans of Sarah Andersen and Allie Brosh. Books of comics about hard, uncomfortable subjects like depression and anxiety are somehow very comforting. I guess it’s the juxtaposition of the cute, adorable drawings and their subject matter. It’s a lot easier and more accessible for people to read through one of these comic books than, say, self-help or psychology books. They’re less intense (both mentally and as a time investment), less intimidating, and more inviting and embracing it seems.

I hadn’t heard of Just Peachy comics before (I just saw this in my library’s new additions list), but I’m definitely going to check out her Instagram (@justpeachycomics). In this autobiographical collection, Chisholm walks through the various medications and coping mechanisms that have been prescribed or suggested to since her depression diagnosis. She shows the ups and downs of living with depression and anxiety and stresses the importance of never giving up and always making sure that you never lose track of how far you’ve come and just trying to do a little more tomorrow. I think it’s great that she gives so many options to readers who might be dealing with similar issues and feelings (examples: journal, make art, go outside, exercise, spend time with your pet/family/loved one). Like with anything else, you just have to experiment and find what works and feels best for you.

[Vicki thevickivolumes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little diddy walked into my store today, and I had to put my current read on hold to go through it. And ya'll, am I so glad I did.

While these cartoons are not the funniest things you'll read, they are raw, real, honest, and yes amusing and adorable. To use some millennial vernacular, they were relatable af. As a way to help battle my depression and anxiety, I tend to find the humor in my mental health, and this book was a great reflection of how I do so.

It is a short read, but I deffs recommend it!

[Misti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of comics about life with depression and anxiety. Many of these images spoke to my own experience, so I'd recommend this book if you have experience with anxiety and depression, or if you don't, and are interested in knowing what it's like for some people. This is a very quick read, so much so that I almost feel badly about counting it in my total for the year, but hey, a book is a book!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Holly Chisholm's Just Peachy book in under an hour. Savoring each picture and each moment of Holly's journal.. relating to some experiences and laughing or crying inside.. Thank you for capturing these moments of yours Holly and sharing with the world. This is a gem of a book for showing how amazing and yet how frail human beings are.

[Lydia Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel was so cute! It’s a quick 20 minute sesh and I think you’ll be better for it. If you struggle with anxiety/depression or you love someone who struggles with it, you should definitely check this out. It was 100% real and honest but was also fun and hilarious. It was nice to see that some hardships are more universal than you think and that you truly aren’t alone ♥️

[Megan Rosol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, funny, thoughtful graphic novel for when you feel you might be in a reading slump.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just lovely.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick read! Seeing things from people going through the same stuff mentally makes things better. (Also the art is really cute.)

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat relatable, somewhat sad. These were really cute comics. I like how it was broken into chapters.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable books like this are so important. Excited to follow her on Instagram.

[Vishal Katariya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god, so good.

[Sasha Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this in a waiting room. it was cute and really made me take a good look at my own mental health and the healthy ways i can deal with my issues.

[Geno · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ★
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"Just Peachy" es una colección de viñetas que nos van mostrando el día a día de vivir con depresión y/o ansiedad. Es un libro corto pero honesto que no esconde lo duro que puede llegar a ser, pero trata de enfocarse en "superar el día a día".

Sin la introducción donde la autora cuenta un poco de su vida, podría sentirse más de autoayuda -con frases como "ya vienen los días buenos" o conceptos similares-, sin embargo teniendo un mejor entendimiento de cómo llegó a estos comics, cada cuadrito cobra más sentido.

Es un buen libro para abordar la salud mental y desestigmatizarla, sin dudas tocará a algunos más que a otros, pero al final del día se siente como una lectura necesaria.
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"Just Peachy" is a comic series that explores what the day-to-day is like with depression and/or anxiety. It's not a "happy" book but it will leave you with a sense of hope.

It reads more like an autobiography than like a comic book even if it's a nice little collection of cute vignettes.

"Just Peachy" helps tear down the taboo of mental illness, it's not a laugh-out-loud kind of comic, but it deals with anxiety and depression so... that was expected.

It's a nice and fast read that feels very honest. More than recommended.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author of this comic series struggles with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Her therapist recommended that she start journaling, but she HATES journaling. However, she loves drawing. So instead, she journals through drawing and comics. This book is a collection of some of her comics. They offer a commentary on what it’s like to live day-to-day with anxiety and depression. I felt seen after reading this book. I thought, “I’m not weird. I’m not alone. I’m not the only person who has felt these things.”

This was a cute, quick read. And by quick, I mean that you could read it in about 15 minutes.

I’d recommend to people who struggle with mental health issues and need a light-hearted spin on their darkest moments.

[Union County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Peachy: Comics About Depression, Anxiety, Love, and Finding Humor in Being Sad by Holly Chisholm is an amusing graphic memoir about someone who struggles with depression and anxiety. The drawings are very cute and I love those in juxtaposition to her sardonic self-deprecation. What is really fantastic about Chisholm's story is how it talks about treatment, medications, and the way you interact with the world when you have depression and/or anxiety in a shyly optimistic style.

- Reviewed by Stephanie J.

[DEE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say, have you ever shed tears reading a supposed-to-be-comedy graphic-comic-even novel because of how much you can relate to its content? That’s this book for me.

Some of the quotes I liked:
“I always have my headphones in nowadays. Why am I so afraid of silence?”
“Remember, feeling good doesn’t make you a good person. In the same way that feeling bad doesn’t make you a bad person.”
“It will get better. Even if it’s only 10% better.”