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Chances are, some of your friends or relatives are coping with depression. Sometimes, the best start in helping the suffering person is stepping into their shoes for a moment. Depression symptoms have no face. But, understanding these two things: what does depression feel like and how undermining it is, can show the guidelines for help. 

However, not everyone is gifted with such great empathy. That’s why we are here! The compilation of depression drawings that we have gathered below might give you a glimpse of what this mental illness feels like.

What is Depression Drawing?

Depression drawing is the artistic expression of people suffering from depression. When such individuals express themselves through depression drawings, it can help them cope with their emotions and improve their mental health.

The artists behind these gloomy drawings have first-hand experience dealing with mental illnesses, and their drawings illustrate it in a very relatable way. From monsters living in your head to feelings of complete loneliness, depression is way more debilitating than one might think.

Compilation of Depression Art with Deep Meanings

Scroll down for these depression artworks by various artists and see how they feel or imagine this mental illness.

Living with depression is hard, but it is treatable, so if you think that you might be suffering from it or spot the first depression symptoms with your relative or a friend, don't ignore it. Get help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 and provides free, anonymous, and confidential support. If you or someone you know needs urgent treatment for depression, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call 988 or dial the helpline at 1-800-662-4357, or visit their official website to chat with Lifeline.

#2

Mind Devour

black and white drawing of an endless screaming mouth

The painting describes a person with mental problems such as schizophrenia, insanity, depression, or other mental health problems. His endless screaming makes his own mind eat him up.

I have periods in my life where I feel like this. I wanted to make an illustration of my thoughts and my pain within.

Sebmaestro Report

#3

Depression

pencils drawing of a man body and a big cloud instead of the head

Ajgiel Report

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Little letitia
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People always say my head is in the clouds. Little do they know those clouds are black and heavy with storms.

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Why do Depressed People Make Art?

As we said before, depression has no face. And the people suffering from it find it difficult to express what they are going through. But art is a medium through which they can express themselves. In fact, art therapy is a popular type of therapy that helps people in exploring and expressing their emotions to cope with stress and improve their mental health. 

If you are suffering from depression, getting help is always the first step. But you can also try to express yourself through art. Start with depression drawings, easy ones initially, and let your mind flow. It might help you in a way. You can also draw inspiration from the artwork in the list below!

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RELATED: 115 Powerful Mental Health Tattoos To Help You Heal

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#9

Falling

a black and white drawing of human standing on knees

A figure sketch from "Falling" a unique art project I worked on from 2010-2014 about my experience with depression.

claralieu Report

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Lynn Monet Bevino
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can relate to this. This is a great representation of the feeling of falling, helpless, as the agony pulls you in and down. As you submit, because you're too weak from trying to be strong.

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How do You Illustrate Depression?

Illustrating depression has no rules. You just explore your mind and try to express what you are going through using drawings and illustrations. So, give your mind free rein and let your emotions flow through the art.

#11

My Depression Looks Like This

a drawing of woman near the mirror trying on different smiles

On my 27th birthday my depression was finally just too fucking much. After many years of silently treating the severe recurrent episodes of my major depressive disorder, I gave up. I was not well and I needed to take the time to deal with how bad it had truly gotten. So I basically "came out" as the big faker depression had been telling me I was... no more masks,

madNbrooklyn Report

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Caitie Forsyth
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I, too, wear the masks. I just don't trust anyone enough to confide in them. They will just hurt me, like everyone/everything else. At times tho it almost seems more exhausting to hide then it would be to just express the overwhelming fear, pain and anger that is felt.

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What Represents Depression in Art?

Many symbols represent depression in art. As you can see in this compilation, monsters, darkness, tears, and clouds are a few of the symbols that express depression.

#17

Falling Sketch No. 55

a black and white drawing of a human's face with hands on the head

This depression in art project is a visualization of personal experience with depression and anxiety. The condition brought on frequent episodes where I felt emotionally and physically out of control. Unable to “release” myself from these episodes, I waited for the physical limitations of my body to end them. Recounting the affected years, I realize how accustomed I became to depression’s influence; many emotions and feelings belonged to it and not my own personality. After an extended, untreated struggle, a diagnosis brought relief, and the process of unearthing myself from the disease began.

Clara Lieu Report

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Karl Stoll
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks just like depression combined with anxiety. I know this pose all too well.

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#19

Cancer Of The Mind

a pencil drawing of a human head with different appliances instead of hairs

Depression is like a cancer of the mind.

Krains Report

#20

Black Dog

a drawing of a woman sitting on the floor with two dragons' heads over her

Lenka Simeckova Report

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Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a black dog on my shoulder again. Licking my neck and saying she's my friend. Solitude the one thing that I really miss. Guess my life is a compromise. ♬♪

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Is Drawing Good for Depression?

Yes, drawing or art therapy is good for depression. It is a way to cope with your emotions and express your internal struggle. It might also help in improving mental health.

#21

Monster Inside The Head

a drawing of a girl sitting hugging her knees and a painted monster near her

Monsters don't live under your bed, they live inside your head.

Michelle114 Report

#22

Drowning In Depression

a drawing of a half of woman's face with closed eyes

Grimmshadow88 Report

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Melina Pothier
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I relate strongly to this. After I've driven myself to exhaustion with my OCD and depression and finally pass out on my bed tired from trying to fight it.

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#25

Art About Depression

a drawing of a red eyes with blue tears

This dark drawing was inspired by depression and the effect it has on people, its a subject that's very close to my heart and i feel very passionate about it. So I created this image almost to try and explain depression to someone who's never experienced it or can not understand the effects it has on people.

KateR31 Report

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#26

Broken And Alone

a drawing of a woman face and painted broken bricks lines on her face

Someone somewhere feels less alone when finding that they can relate to something. Mental illness can feel extremely isolating.

JenniferHealy Report

#27

Again Insomnia

a red and black drawing of a woman with hands on her head

Really troublesome. My mind can't settle. Sometimes it end up with... twisted dream. I feel so depressed and sad every time I wake up, especially when everyone has gone.

N-Maulina Report

#28

Art During A Time Of Depression

a white and black drawing of a blurring siluette of a person with phrase nearby

herpaderps Report

#30

She's Not Sad. She Feels Empty

a pencil drawing of a person sitting in the corner

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#31

Parasite

a black drawing of a monster

Riftress Report

#32

Dissociation Depression Drawing

a drawing of a doublefaces blurred face

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#34

The Other Bedroom

a drawing of a girl sitting on the bed

AudreyBenjaminsen Report

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Tara Hulko
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing. You really capture the essence that is depression

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#37

Sickness

a pencil drawing of a sitting creature with ears and tail

I feel sad and cold. But happy, because I have friends. So I feel guilty that I'm sad.

Mayka94 Report

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Daria B
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest. This one precisely describes how I felt through some phases on particularly sensitive days. Excessive guilt is so.... Terrible.

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#38

What Does Depression Feel Like…

a drawing of an eye with brow

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#39

I Decided To Give Art Therapy A Go To Work Through Some Stuff - This Is My Interpretation Of Depression, Anxiety And Depersonalisation

a drawing of a human doll on the thread

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#41

Brain Fog

a drawing of a human posture and head in the cloud

Steven H Report

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Debbie Chappell
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can relate to most of these images. I have my depression mostly under control these days. When it comes now, it is like this, a brain cloud that I can feel the darkness gathering and engulfing me. An improvement from the animal clawing desperation of past days.

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#42

Morning Kiss From Your Depression

a grey drawing of a girl kissed by a horse

beiibis Report

#47

Depression Self-portrait

a drawing of a man holding his head by hands

CountryRoads8 Report

#48

Depression Is Real

a drawing of an eye in which girl crying

xfoshizzlexx Report

#51

No Escape

a drawing of a walking human and red arms holding it

MysteriousHylian Report

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H.M. Jordan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you're trying, you're reaching to get out, but it just keeps pulling you back into the pit.

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#53

Untitled

a drawing of a monster features in blue colors

I'm having a hard time reminding myself why I bother to keep going, I've suffered with depression most of my life, lost my job and my health went downhill, sitting here alone, after years of therapy and trying, I'm just feeling defeated.

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Elizabeth Molloy
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are so many pictures, and so many people commenting on them. I think more people suffer from mental illnesses/disorders than don't. We are the majority. Let's stick together and support each other.

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#54

Straight Jacket

a drawing of a person in a straight jacket

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Elecia Windmeyer
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They all called me crazy....but they didn't know the constraints and horrors of my own mind.

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#55

Depression Painting

a drawing of a little silhouette of a woman on the background of abstraction

"Depression" - painting by my grandmother

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#56

I Drew A Picture Of Depression

a drawing of a person on the background of a huge black monster

I've always imagined my depression as a sort of creature that hangs around, and when it gets bad it's trying to scoop me up. So I drew it.

imgur.com Report

#58

Depression Distorts Reality

a drawing of a sitting woman with lowered head on the colorful background

PassionIsLife Report

#59

Stress, Anxiety, Depression

a drawing of three blurring men's faces

Johnny Golden Report

#61

Clouded By Dark Thoughts

a drawing of a man sitting on the bed and a black cloud over him

My roleplay character Seth, who struggles with PTSD and depression. This is a simple illustration of what that feels like.

Kristine Harbek Report

#62

Feels

a drawing of a man in a black liquides with a raising hand

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#63

Bi-Polar Tendencies Of A Depressed Person

a drawing of a woman with two heads

This drawing was inspired by an article that talked about the bio-polar tendencies that a depression person experiences.

crazy-artist34 Report

#66

Absence Of Hope And Happiness

a dark drawing of the sea and the moon

This painting is meant to depict depression. The raging sea represents anger; and the dark skies and use of only blue and black, sadness. The lighthouse is barely visible in the darkness and there is no beacon, symbolizing the absence of hope and happiness.

ibanez01 Report

#67

Consumed By The Demon: A Depression Artwork

a drawing of a little girl sitting and an angry woman surrounded her

Risata Report

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Daisy Montano
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like the happiness inside of me is being overflowed by depression never being able so escape, this photo hits me hard.

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#68

A Depression Drawing With A Contrast

a drawing of a bright parrot sitting on the human's back

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#70

Manic Depression

Manic Depression

Ahness Report

#71

Move On

Move On

Everyone of us suffered, lost loved ones, got harmed, felt betrayed, had a depression... In the end we are all human and nothing builds us better than suffering. However, to enjoy life, one must let go of the past; he must move on.. he must sew the wounds in his heart.. for only that makes us stronger, and so we see life in a different aspect.. We will easily overcome problems; we will be optimists.. The key to a bright future.. is moving on..

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#74

Aneurysm

Aneurysm

Things haven't been going as planned in life and as I sit and dwell on them I only drag myself back into a hole of depression and continue to bury myself within the hole with more worry and more bullshit.

ShawnCoss Report

#75

The Cloud Seed

The Cloud Seed

Margarita Georgiadis Report

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Sas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very realistic view of depression. Beautiful arts! Even a kickass fiery red dress doesn't change the head at all

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#77

Chained To Depression

Chained To Depression

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Miriah S.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi, op artist here. idk how y’all got this image since my old account has been dead for a while. anywho- i moved to @mirarts on tumblr if anyone is interested.

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#78

When Depression Swallows You

When Depression Swallows You

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#79

Buried In Depression

Buried In Depression

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#81

Inside

Inside

The best way to make art is not to create what people likes, or what people wants, or what people expect from you. The best way is to create whats inside your soul.

AndreySkull Report

#82

Damaged And Broken

Damaged And Broken

AndreySkull Report

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Ching Chang
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just feel like there’s a gaping hole in my chest so I just feel lifeless because my hearts been broken and I can’t put it back together anymore

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#83

Time And The Bell

Time And The Bell

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#86

This Is What Depression Looks Like

This Is What Depression Looks Like

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