A Holistic Approach to Depression
Warning: this article is about depression, and as such discusses some topics that may be triggering for some. Reader discretion is advised.
Depression is often portrayed as a shadow that descends without warning, casting a cloud over our daily lives.
Yet, beneath its weight lies an invitation.
It’s a call to delve deeper into our inner landscapes.
To seek healing beyond conventional methods.
At The Witch’s Therapist, our spiritual psychotherapist clinic embraces a holistic approach to depression.
We understand how important it is to honour the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.
An effective depression therapist in London Ontario approach must see each individual as a whole, not just a collection of symptoms.
And it’s about so much more than just the clinical signs.
This week on The Witch’s Therapist blog, we’re taking a closer look at depression, from a holistic, decolonizing perspective.
Let’s explore.
What is Depression?
Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness or a temporary dip in mood.
It is a complex condition that encompasses emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions.
There’s a lot to depression, which is difficult to encompass in a single paragraph of a single blog article.
Clinical depression is often characterised by persistent feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and a lack of interest in daily activities.
On the other hand, spiritual depression manifests as a profound sense of disconnection from one's inner self, purpose, culture, ancestral traditions or a higher power.
Spiritual depression often presents through emotional symptoms, such as:
· Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
· Deep isolation
· A profound disconnect from previously held spiritual beliefs, culture, or traditional ways of knowing
· Feeling lost
· Overwhelming grief
· Apathy
· Disassociation
You may feel an intense longing for something, yet struggle to identify what that “something” is.
Longing for what you don’t know is missing.
How Do I Know if I Have Depression?
Recognising depression requires attunement to both subtle and overt signs.
Let’s take a look.
What Are the Clinical Signs of Depression?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has criteria of symptoms for the diagnosis of clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder, which is done by a psychiatrist.
That said, we understand the DSM to be a colonial, white supremacist system of categorization.
Historically, it has been used as a tool of oppression and pathologization.
At The Witch’s Therapist, we work hard to unlearn these tools of oppression.
As a result, we provide this information only as a place to start.
The symptoms of clinical depression are as follows:
· Depressed mood – feeling sad, empty, hopeless, and/or irritable
· Brain fog – difficulty thinking, focusing, or recalling information
· Fatigue – low energy, and feeling like everything takes more effort
· Anxiety – feeling agitated or restless
· Sleep disruption – sleeping too little (insomnia), or not enough (hypersomnia)
· Disinterest – a lack of interest in things you once enjoyed
· Weight Fluctuations – weight loss or gain, without dieting or changes in appetite
· Feeling agitated – even over minor things
· Slowing down – in thinking, speaking, and/or moving
· Feelings of guilt – in particular, fixating on past failures
· Recurrent thoughts of death
RELATED: Holistic Anxiety Therapist in London Ontario
These psychological symptoms are often accompanied by physical symptoms, like headaches or chronic pain.
There are a number of different types of diagnoses of depression, which include:
· Major depressive disorder
· Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
· Postpartum depression
· Depression associated with bipolar disorder
· Psychotic depression
· Melancholia
· Cyclothymic disorder
What Are the Spiritual Aspects of Depression?
All that said, this is a very pathologized response.
Rather than addressing and exploring the source of our “big” emotions, modern psychology treats them as a medical disorder to be treated.
Modern medicine has its place, of course, but the spiritual aspects of depression are often overlooked.
Spiritual depression may manifest in a few different ways, including:
· A deep sense of inner emptiness
· A loss of interest in activities that once brought joy
· Feelings of disconnection from one's faith or spiritual practices
· Persistent doubt in one’s spiritual beliefs
· Loss of purpose
If you find yourself withdrawing from your spiritual practices or communities, questioning your beliefs, or feeling a pervasive sense of meaninglessness, it may be time to explore these feelings further with a compassionate guide.
Decolonizing Depression
From a holistic, decolonizing perspective, depression stems from colonization.
The above signs of spiritual depression are consistent with people who have been removed from their culture.
For those peoples indigenous to what we now call Canada, that removal was done by force.
This is a historic, generational trauma and grief that come from such an indescribable loss.
It cuts us off from our histories, our bodies, one another, and the land on which we live.
In such a situation, is it any wonder we feel so much loss and disconnect?
But while many of us deal with our own legacies as colonizers on this land, it’s important to remember that spiritual depression can be felt by anyone.
In fact, many cultures describe similar ideas.
In German, we have the word sehnsucht.
It’s a nuanced, complex word, but simply put, it refers to a longing for a home you’ve never been to.
Portuguese, too, gives us the word saudade.
It’s a similar idea – a longing or desire for something that doesn’t exist.
The Welsh word hiraeth refers to a mix of grief, sadness, and homesickness.
These are all massive simplifications, of course.
Each of these words has deep nuance and meaning that’s lost in translation.
But these three distinct cultures have three distinct words, each of which describe something similar.
Each of these cultures, too, has their history of having been colonized, though it happened much further in the past.
In her book Decolonizing Therapy, Dr. Jennifer Mullan writes: “what we are feeling is an accumulation of hundreds of years of acquisition from our bloodlines”.
These are emotional wounds received by our ancestors, passed down through generations.
But for many of us, our ancestors never had the time or space to process these wounds safely.
This means that, for many of us, we’re left with the legacy of generations of psychological enslavement and patterns of repression.
But today, more of us have the privilege of acknowledging, feeling, labeling, and processing these feelings.
This can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a historic opportunity to help lay to rest the demons of your ancestors, and forge a new path forward.
Navigating the Dark Night of the Soul
The "dark night of the soul" is a term used to describe a period of profound spiritual desolation and existential questioning.
Often, this can come from situations like what we looked at in the previous section.
It is often associated with spiritual depression and can be both a painful and transformative experience.
During this period, you may feel a deep sense of isolation, loss of purpose, and a disconnect from yourself and your beliefs.
In this way, the dark night of the soul is part of an experience of spiritual depression.
However, this darkness can serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth and self-discovery.
It offers an opportunity to confront inner fears, release old patterns, and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose and connection.
At The Witch’s Therapist, we view the dark night of the soul not as a curse but as a sacred invitation.
Through therapeutic practices such as mindfulness therapy, ritual integration therapy, somatic therapy, and more, we guide individuals to explore the depths of their inner worlds and emerge with greater clarity and resilience.
Holistic Practices for Healing
Healing from depression requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.
At The Witch’s Therapist, we integrate various holistic practices to support individuals on their healing journey.
Let’s take a look.
Mindfulness Therapy for Depression
Mindfulness and meditation cultivate awareness of your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to observe them without judgment.
Engaging in these practices can help ground you in the present moment, shifting us out of the various stories we tell ourselves to keep the pain away and back into a place of mindful witnessing.
Daily practice, even for just a few minutes, can foster resilience against the feelings of despair that depression can bring.
Nature-Based Depression Therapies
Spending time outdoors in natural environments can have a calming effect on the mind and spirit, alleviating spiritual melancholy.
It can support feelings of connectedness and meaningfulness.
Engaging in activities like hiking, gardening, or simply sitting by the river can help you reconnect with yourself and tap into the healing power of nature.
Getting curious about the symbolism all around invites the possibility of interconnectedness which invites a sense of belonging.
Art Therapy
Art therapy offers a powerful outlet for individuals experiencing spiritual depression.
A London Ontario art therapist can help you explore your depression through various artistic mediums, such as painting, drawing, or sculpting.
This form of therapy allows you to communicate in ways that words often fail to capture.
Rather than preoccupying the mind, art therapy takes us out of our minds and into the body, allowing us to process emotions directly.
RELATED: What Is Art Therapy and How Does it Work?
Book Your Appointment with The Witch’s Therapist Today
If you find yourself navigating the depths of depression, know that you are not alone.
At The Witch’s Therapist, we offer a compassionate, integrative approach to healing that honours your unique journey and includes an understanding of the impacts of colonialism on an individual.
Our team of experienced therapists provides a safe space for exploration, healing, and transformation.
Through a combination of therapeutic modalities, spiritual practices, and holistic care, we support you in reconnecting with your authentic self and finding peace amidst the chaos.
To begin your healing journey, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Together, we can navigate the path toward wholeness and well-being.
Book your FREE 15-minute intro session with The Witch’s Therapist today.
The Witch's Therapist
242 Dundas St.
London, Ontario
Canada
N6A 1H3
1-226-977-1660
► London Ontario Holistic Psychotherapy
The Witch's Therapist is located in London, Ontario and offers holistic psychotherapy therapy throughout London and surrounding areas.
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