Idon’t believe severe depression would be possible if it were not for another important ingredient – the feeling factor. Dominance and submission also have “feelings” attached to them. Whether we’re behaving aggressively, or behaving with a lack of self-confidence, a certain feeling goes along with these behaviors. In other words, much of our thoughts and behaviors have unique emotions, feelings, or moods.
At its most basic level, depression is all about feelings. When severely depressed persons are asked to describe their depression, a horrible feeling is the thing most often talked about. It is such a unique feeling, that words are virtually powerless to describe it. And, significantly, the words that are used to define the feeling of depression are always negative words: “hopeless”, “lost”, “empty”, etc.
The question is: What are these feelings telling us? Do they carry a message? The answer is yes.