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Is it always necessary to run to therapy when you’re stuck in a depressive episode? Super-heavy thoughts and feelings can look like clinical depression, but they can also be the key to mental alchemy and new meaning to your life.  It’s true – depressive episodes often mask existential and spiritual breakthroughs.

When depression and anxiety overwhelm you, look your shadow in the eye. Look deeper inside than you ever thought possible. Then just ask this healing powerful question….WHAT DOES MY SYMPTOM WANT?

[D]epressive episodes often mask existential and spiritual breakthroughsMichael Hoffman, Sober Buddha Counseling

Depression happens when your conscious mind (ego) feels like a little kid assaulted by a schoolyard bully.  The kid freezes with fear.  He can’t move or think straight and gets pummeled by the bully.  But you’re not a kid; you’re an adult.  You don’t have parents to come save you from the bullies of life.  We’re all ultimately alone in facing physical and mental hard places.

The answer to your stuck place is always the same question…. WHAT DOES MY SYMPTOM WANT?  Symptoms always want their opposite, a mental/behavioral tool that works and does not sit and philosophize.  If you are lonely, your symptom wants company.  If you are sad, your symptom wants happiness.  If you are angry, your symptom wants compassion and forgiveness.

The work starts here, with physical and mental action.  Lonely?  Go to the park and talk to the old man feeding the ducks.  Sad?  Google “what to do about sadness” — then read five articles and go do one of the suggested things.  Angry?  Accept responsibility for you part in the upset.  Journal about it and write a peace-making letter to the person you’re angry at.  Whether you send it or not is up to you.

Some sad symptoms come from hardcore traumas and losses of loved ones, health, money, jobs, housing, etc. In even the hardest times, use your question….WHAT DOES MY SYMPTOM WANT?  If you think hard and listen carefully, you’ll hear an answer. If you think this sounds too simple to be true, try it.  What is there to lose?  If you’ve been in a downer for a while, it’s obvious that whatever you’ve been trying doesn’t work.

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