Depression
“You seem to look upon depression as the hand of an enemy trying to crush you. Do you think you could see it instead as the hand of a friend, pressing you down to ground on which it is safe to stand.”
Depression: the relentless weight in our souls or the empty numbness where we feel little to no emotion or excitement. It can be the feeling of walking through a dark tunnel, unsure which way is out, with little hope for relief in sight. Depression is different than grief. Freud observed that in ordinary grief, the external world feels diminished due to a loss, but with depression, it is the self that feels loss or damaged. Depression leaves no area of our lives untouched: our capacity for relationship with others, our physical energy, our ability to think, our mood, our connection with God or our spirituality. What is worse is that it often feels disconnected from our outside circumstances. We can’t make sense of the burden in our souls and so we often bear our burdens alone, afraid of being judged, dismissed, or being a burden on others. Some of us may be brilliant at hiding our true pain from others, but at the cost of isolating ourselves from being truly seen and known as we are.
What causes depression and how do you treat it? Is it simply an issue with brain chemicals or a spiritual issue? One author outlines several causes or triggers for depression and anxiety such as lack of meaningful work, disconnection from meaningful values and purpose, social isolation, childhood trauma, and disconnection from the natural world (Hari, 2018). In my experience, the sources of depression are multifaceted and impossible to separate. Sometimes depression is a signpost directing us to the places where sadness or trauma has been stuck, unable to be expressed or grieved. Those who are able to grieve their losses freely are less likely to be depressed. Sometimes depression or despair is a way to cope with what feels out of control in our lives or a way to manage our own anxiety.
Therefore, because the reasons for depression may be complex and impossible to understand, treatment for depression must also be holistic: considering your unique story, your social and relational environment, your sense of purpose, and your daily rhythms and practices. For some, medication may be required, but even with medication, patients experience better long-term outcomes when combined with therapy.
This is not meant to take the place of medical advice or to use for diagnosis. Please consult with your medical provider regarding decisions around medication. A good medical provider will provide you with information to make informed choices about your specific situation.
Hari J. (2018). Lost Connections: Uncovering the real causes of depression – and the unexpected solutions. New York: Bloomsbury.
McWilliams, N. (2011). Psychoanalytic diagnosis: Understanding personality structure in the clinical process. New York: Guilford Press.
Palmer, P. J. (2000). Let your life speak: Listening for the voice of vocation. New York: John Wiley & Sons