I’ve gotten really into the show “Obsessed” on A&E. Must be the future psychologist in me. But I was particularly intrigued by yesterday’s episode which featured a vegan woman so tormented by visions of animal cruelty, that the life she lived was like a prison sentence. Her father abused their family dog in front of her, she had experienced many traumatic events in her life, including four miscarriages, and had very high levels of anxiety. The combination of these things resulted in her obsessive compulsive disorder.
She said perhaps she was not cut out for this world because she was just too sensitive. And it made me wonder if a lot of vegans feel this way. I know there are many times when I see pictures or video footage of horrendous animal cruelty that will keep me upset for days. And the visions never really go away. But I try to function normally as best I can, and to limit the amount of imagery I expose myself to. Because, though it is important to keep ourselves educated about such issues, and to remind ourselves why we choose to be vegan, it doesn’t do any good to live in a constant state of depression, thus, lessening your own quality of life.
So, though it is easy to get caught up in all things upsetting (I can only imagine how hard it must be for PETA president Ingrid Newkirk to expose herself to animal cruelty full-time), it’s important to maintain a sense of balance. This “Obsessed” episode teaches a valuable lesson: we cannot help all the animals in the world. There will always be animal cruelty. But once the woman on the show was able to take hold of her anxiety and deal with it in a more effective manner, she was able to give back to the animals she cares so much about by volunteering at animal shelters.
Don’t forget that by being vegan, you’re already helping animals in a huge way. So be proud of yourself for that. And remember that, though there are many cases of animal cruelty in the world, there are also many happy animals out there. Try not to let your sensitivity and compassion imprison you.
Emelia Gribkoff Says:
I can identify with you and this woman, I also can begin to feel depressed by the haunting videos of animal cruelty and the knowledge that this happens every day. I also feel frustrated by people’s lack of compassion for animals, and by the lack of vegans or vegetarians I encounter on a daily basis. It’s hard not to feel alone sometimes, or that I care but does anyone else. That’s why I like websites like this one so much. It lets me feel like I’m in a community.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Mariana Says:
What you say at the end it´s very important. Sometimes I meet people that says to me “if you can´t save them all why to bothered”. I say at least you are doing something, right? This goes the same for people who ask “Why (insert celebrity into charity work name of your choice) has to go all the way to Africa to help kids when there are poor people right here?” Maybe is publicity but at least they are doing something and they are not partying their ass out.
Thats all I wanted to say… Peace!
August 7th, 2009 at 7:11 am
May Says:
I like to concentrate in the good news, don`t know if you saw The Secret but I never watch or read something bad.
In the other hand, I`ve always adopted or protected animals in need.
That is so sad to have a father like this, poor girl… He just messed her life.
That` s not a human.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Diana Says:
I can relate so much to this story. I too try to avoid watching or reading about animal cruelty, but if I do see it then I cannot let go. Right now there is a dog two doors down who is tied up 24/7 and gets no attention. The good news is I did buy him a dog run and they did put it up so he can roam a little more now, but I do obsess over the fact no one plays with him EVER! My next step is to ask if I can walk him…
December 13th, 2009 at 6:57 pm