What If Your Depression Is Trying to Tell You Something?

What if depression isn't always simply something to get rid of? Sometimes depression may be information — a sign that the way we've been living, relating, thinking or organising our lives is no longer working. In this video, psychotherapist Simon Hitchcock explores a different way of looking at depression: not romanticising it or suggesting that every depression contains some hidden lesson, but asking whether sometimes it can be an understandable response to a life, relationship, situation or way of being that is no longer working. Why do we judge ourselves for feeling depressed? What happens when the life we've built no longer fits us? And could the very thing we desperately want to escape sometimes be telling us that something needs to change? I also explore the idea of depression as a kind of psychological “black hole” — and why the unknown of becoming somebody different can sometimes feel more threatening than remaining with what we already know. CHAPTERS 00:00 — “Depression is a gift and a call” 00:42 — Why we judge ourselves for feeling depressed 01:56 — What if the way you've been living led you here? 02:09 — Depression and the black-hole metaphor 03:40 — When depression becomes information 04:20 — What might need to change? 05:34 — Medication, therapy and support 05:55 — The sanest response your system could be having 06:24 — Depression, grief and loss 07:19 — Why change can feel threatening 07:46 — Use depression as data 08:34 — Giving yourself time to recover 08:53 — The old self and the new self 09:13 — Not every depression has a hidden message 09:34 — Getting the right support 10:36 — If you're struggling to stay here 10:56 — Depression is not a life sentence ABOUT SIMON Simon Hitchcock is an integrative psychotherapist, mentor and coach with more than 15 years' experience working with trauma, addiction, relationships, depression, anxiety, shame and the sometimes strange ways human beings adapt to life. His work draws from Jungian and analytical psychology, Gestalt, existential and psychodynamic psychotherapy, attachment theory and other approaches — with a particular interest in understanding the hidden purpose behind behaviours that appear not to make sense. WORK WITH SIMON ClearVision Psychotherapy https://clear-vision-psychotherapy.com The Ridge Intensive — five-day intensive psychotherapy retreats in Andalucía, Spain https://theridgeintensive.com FOLLOW SIMON Instagram: @simonhitchcock_ YouTube: @SimonHitchcock IMPORTANT This video is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for individual medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. Depression can have psychological, biological and physical causes. If you are experiencing depression, speak with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. If you are thinking about suicide, self-harm or feel that you may be in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency service or crisis service, or reach out immediately to somebody you trust.