Breaking the Chains of Depression

Depression suffocates joy and purpose. But amid this darkness, lies hope. Building a future with action breaks depression, creating joy and purpose.

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Unveiling Hope and Building a Brighter Future

Depression is exactly as it sounds. Joy, interest, and passion are pressed out of a person. Some people describe the feeling as being constantly covered by a wet wool blanket. Every movement is an effort. You’re constantly miserable, and it’s hard to absorb any good in the world that everyone else seems to be enjoying through the itchy blanket. Others describe it as a constant grumbling of vague rage that quiets down a tad with YouTube. You know something is wrong. You’re angry it’s wrong. But, it’s not clear what that “something” is. The common denominator between the two is feeling like there is no point in anything.

That is the lie depression tells you. It says there is no future and there is no point. The truth sounds harsh, at first, but there is hope in it. There is a point. Other people are happier. That part of the truth is a sting. When you hear that stinging truth, you say, “So why don’t I feel that! What’s wrong with me.” Good question but slightly highjacked by the voice of depression. There isn’t anything wrong with you. Generally, depressed people are more compassionate, reasonable, and kind. You are actually a pretty good person, all things considered. The problem is that sometimes people fall in psychological traps. The longer you’re in one the tighter the hold it has on you.

“So, you’re telling me to get out of the trap?” Kind of, but not exactly. “Just do it” might work as a slogan for Nike but it’s not the most sophisticated life plan. Getting out of depression is more than just doing it. It requires the one thing you are in short supply of – hope. Most people don’t have to learn how hope works but depressed people do. No one just has hope. It’s something that comes after a person’s life gets moving. The more you invest, the more you do, the more you feel like there is hope. While the key to getting out of depression is action the caveat is getting clear that you have to act when you believe you don’t want to. By preparing for your future, you get one. But, you only get to feel hope after you’ve committed yourself to building a future. Depression is a nasty trap but one you can get out of.

Yonasan Bender, LSW graduated from Hebrew University’s School of Social Work. He has his psychotherapy practice at The Place: The Jerusalem Centre for Emotional Wellbeing. To share your thoughts, experiences, questions, or a different perspective, you can reach Yonasan Bender at 053-808-0435 or email him by clicking HERE. To learn more about him and his work, click HERE.

The Place

The Place is where therapists, individuals and the community connect to create safety, strength and success. At The Place, men and women discover the freedom and safety to move past those issues which are preventing them from living life to its fullest. Our goal is to help each of our clients discover his or her own strengths as powerful tools in the healing process.

The Place is a multi-faceted clinic offering both individual and group therapy, support groups, interactive evenings and lectures, educational classes, and drop-in hours. Our comfortable, confidential, relaxed environment allows clients and their families to explore sensitive issues and create positive change. We believe that the key to mental health and emotional well-being is inside you.

At The Place, male and female therapists work independently or as a team to explore sensitive issues and facilitate positive change for individuals, couples and families from all sectors of the community. Some of our specialties include emotional eating, grief counseling, internet addiction, phobias, anxiety & OCD, childhood challenges, premarital counseling, couples therapy and intimacy issues, postpartum support, personality disorders, psychiatric care, and more. Connect with a caring professional in person at our comfortable Jerusalem offices, or by video, phone, and text. We’re here for you.