At some point in our lives it is not unusual to experience depression. Very often, depression is situational, in essence a response to a particular event such as a loss of some kind, be it a death, the end of a relationship or being fired from one’s job. After a period of time, most people tend to recover, returning to a more normal state of mind that is familiar to them.

         There is another more pervasive type of depression that is not connected to a particular event that persists whether or not the prevailing conditions of a person’s life are good or bad. There are many people who “have it all,” a good job, good relationship, whatever… and yet they do not feel emotionally well. For such people, psychotherapy, sometimes coupled with medication or neurofeedback (or both) can provide the relief they need. There are many approaches to treating depression where a person can learn see depression for what it is and develop better coping skills.

         For someone suffering from depression, I like to help a person imagine separating themselves from the depression. Sometimes without realizing it, we identify too closely with our depression, thinking this is an integral part of our personality. Rather than saying, “I am depressed,” one can say, “I experience depression.” The way we use language reinforces (both negatively and positively) the way we feel about ourselves. 

         There are many tools for treating depression and mindfulness training has proven to be highly effective approach to this condition. Mindfulness is a form of meditation that helps a person achieve a deeply relaxed state of mind while focusing on the here and now. Many who suffer from depression learn to more fully experience the present moment in all its fullness rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

         There are times when exploring one’s past can help understand the root causes for their depressed feelings. The insight gained in this approach can relieve a person from the feeling that they are solely responsible for the way they feel. At the same time, this can help a person move beyond the past and see what actions can be taken to create a “new normal” where they see how they themselves are able to create the mood they want.