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Storied Mind

Recover Life from Depression

The Delusions of Depression

Written by John Folk-Williams

I’ve had several moments in recovery when I realized that things I assumed to be true were really delusions of depression. Some were long-held beliefs about myself, others were briefly held convictions that were too far from reality to maintain for long. Psychiatrists probably wouldn’t call these delusions of the sort linked to psychosis, but when I recall how often they dominated my mind, I need a strong word to capture their chilling effect on […] Read more »

Water Girl by a Stream

The Limits of Care-Giving for Depression

Written by John Folk-Williams

A family member’s care-giving for depression can shift from hope to frustration if the initial expectations are unrealistically high. The film Phoebe in Wonderland is about a young girl with a compulsive disorder and also about the mother who tries to cure her with love. The mother, brilliantly played by Felicity Huffman, blames herself as the child’s behavior gets worse and worse. She rejects an OCD diagnosis, convinced that her daughter’s problems stem from her […] Read more »

First Wind of Spring

The Alchemy of Turning Depression into Vitality

Written by John Folk-Williams

After reading about the experiences of Tom Wootton and Will, the author of the great blog, WillSpirit, I’ve been exploring whether I could find a way, as they have, of turning depression into vitality or even bliss, something positive and fulfilling. It’s been a stretch. I’ve usually thought of depression as a force that turns you against the most basic instinct of all – the instinct to survive and thrive in life. I’ve felt it […] Read more »

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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.

AFFILIATES: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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