“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift.”

Mary Oliver

Understanding the Nature of Depression

Depression takes many shapes for different people. It may be a sense of hopelessness or unworthiness, due to not feeling successful in relationships or life goals. It may involve messages you tell yourself, or beliefs you hold, that chronically undermine your mood. It may be the loss of aliveness that comes with suppressing emotions that you have not been able to process. Whatever the reason behind it, depression can become a self-perpetuating downward spiral that can be difficult to reverse on your own.

How to Emerge from Depression

Recovering from depression may require significant self-reflection. If the soul feels low or heavy, it may be asking you to slow down, reflect, or descend into parts of yourself you’ve ignored. You may need to re-evaluate some long held beliefs. You may need to attend to some uncomfortable emotions or memories. You may need to rediscover the parts of yourself that still believe in your goodness and your potential. The good news is that learning about yourself as you emerge from depression often deepens your sense of meaning, and allows you to embrace life more fully than you ever have. 

How Therapy Treats Depression

A therapist can guide you in the self-reflection journey out of depression. Through understanding and validating your emotions, a therapist can help you see yourself more clearly and help you process suppressed or stuck feelings. With help, your natural emotional healing process can unwind the history of mental and physical collapse that has generated your depression. A good therapist knows this self-reflection process. They can keep you focused and provide insight. And most importantly, your connection to your therapist can help you feel less alone in this journey.