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Storied Mind

Recover Life from Depression

Boy standing by a frozen river

The Costly Mercy of Lost Feelings

Written by John Folk-Williams

I’ve been working on a new ebook about recovery and came across this early post on lost feelings. It resonated with me so I thought I would post it again in this revised version. A breakthrough to healing can come at the most unexpected time. The other night I was trying to divert myself by watching a mystery episode from an old British series. Instead of taking my mind off things, this story pushed me […] Read more »

Oak Tree Reflections

Fighting Back to Recover from Depression

Written by John Folk-Williams

Stories about the struggle to recover from depression tell of repeated efforts to find a way to live well despite the recurring burden of illness. For me the key lesson is that each person in these stories keeps trying, despite repeated setbacks. I recently came across a research study that says the same thing in more formal language: “[S]tudy findings suggest that constant effort aimed at positive transformation and growth may underlie the whole process […] Read more »

Backlit flower

Finding Self-Compassion through Focusing

Written by John Folk-Williams

Focusing is one of the few methods that has helped me understand depression as I experience it, well beyond the scope of clinical descriptions. It has also given me an approach to self-compassion that is more effective than the various meditations I have tried. As Eugene Gendlin acknowledges in Focusing, his self-help version of the method he developed, some people feel they must suffer the full feelings of their problems, including depression. To do anything […] Read more »

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Recovery Ebook Available

A Mind for Life: From Depression to Living Well


Recovery from Depression Ebook

The inner work of getting your life back from depression.


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Relationships Ebook

Surviving Depression Together


Surviving Depression Together

"John, this is a ... much needed resource. Thanks for writing it!"

- Therese Borchard, author of Beyond Blue


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Relationships in Crisis

One of the hardest challenges of living with depression is holding onto close relationships. This section features posts on how partners can work together to keep their relationship alive.
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Living Depressed

What's it like living with depression day in, day out? The illness affects emotions, mental abilities, self-concept, behavior, relationships and the entire body. These core posts bring to life the personal experience of living with the varied impacts of depression. Read More.

Choices in Healing

Everyone with depression wants nothing more than to get better, but that strong desire provides only a motive for recovery, not a method for getting there. This section has posts about therapies and healing methods you can work with either on your own or with professional guidance. Read more.

Living Well

If you can get depression symptoms under control, you may still feel the need for something more. You likely want to have a fulfilling life rather than one dominated by fear that the illness might return. In this section, you'll find posts about how to work toward that goal.
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About the Author

John started blogging about his lifelong experience with depression in 2007 at Storied Mind. Psych Central has twice chosen the site as a Top Ten depression blog, and Blogs.com has also recognized it as one of the top ten. In addition to Storied Mind, John blogs at MentalHelp.Net and the My Depression Connection community at Health Central. Read more »

Terms of Use

DISCLAIMER: None of the content on this site should be interpreted as medical or therapeutic advice about the treatment of depression or any mental illness. If you feel you need help, you should seek treatment from qualified professionals.

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