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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.

captaingalactus Report

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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

MattOnADinosaur Report

#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
5 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

Gabi Junos Report

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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
3 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

Margarita Georgiadis Report

#87

Depression: Tired

Depression: Tired

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Susan Barker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lost myself in narc marriage. Too tired to find me again. Still, I endure and struggle. I will not give up. I remember who I used to be. She's somewhere inside me.

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#90

What’s Inside?

a drawing of a human body with a cat face lying under a transparent table

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

This ones amazing. For me, depression wasn't so much how I felt but what I did. One gets used to the awfulness inside, having to explain my actions was a different story.

#91

Given Up

a drawing of a human sitting in a desert painted in abstraction

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#92

Seven Gills Of Depression

a drawing of a monster on a black background

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#94

Bureau Worm

black and white abstract drawing of a wind from the window

This is about this convulsing urge, this deep push, that hits you from behind, like a big hammer and knocks your motivation, your ability to move, think, talk completely uncontious. sometimes, this depression is born from the work itsself, sometimes it comes from behind, sometimes, it just waits and never really hits...

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

This also to me is the endless tangle of negative thoughts....the I can't, I won't, I'm not...all that damnable thoughts that weigh me down and crush me back into that pit

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#95

Spiral Depression

a grey drawing of a screaming face

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#96

Colourful Depression

a colorful drawing of a woman in a red dress standing side from the viewer

saiyankatara Report

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Gianna Rosno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything unraveling, and nobody even notices because they’re all so caught up on the shining colors produced by my tears, entranced by my sorrow and I slowly slip down… down… down… into the void of my mind.

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#97

When Depression Pulls You Down

a colorful drawing of a man flying on the balloon with an anchor on his legs

danismymuse Report

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

When you wanna get up but something in your brain gets you down again

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#98

We All Have Monsters Inside Of Us. Some Learn To Cope With Them, Others Are Brought Down

a pencil drawing of a child closing up the eyes to another one

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#99

Guilt

Guilt

January of 2011was an intensive month-long art class dedicated to a single goal -depicting my subjective experience of depression while appreciating that it's not unique.
I wanted to help explain the overwhelming experience to those that aren't depressed, especially the friends and family of a patient.

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#101

When Depression Spreads

When Depression Spreads

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#102

Crying For Help

Crying For Help

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#103

Depression: Sorrow

Depression: Sorrow

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#104

Drenched: An Art About Depression

Drenched: An Art About Depression

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#105

When Depression Is Always There

When Depression Is Always There

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#106

Depression Monster

Depression Monster

The depression monster floats around endlessly, always covering his eyes to hide itself from the outside world. Because of this it always bumps into people or other monsters causing more distress to itself each time.

Toby Allen Report

#108

Die Depression

Die Depression

Piotr Kamieniarz Report

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#109

Splattered Depression

Splattered Depression

This is the vision I see and feel when I hear the word depression.

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#111

Living Through Depression

Living Through Depression

Been dealing with a bit of depression lately, it helps to make art to help you work some things out.

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#112

Surviving Depression

Surviving Depression

ChrisPanatier Report

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#113

Shadows: A Look At Depression

Shadows: A Look At Depression

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#114

Depression Beast

Depression Beast

Depression is pretty much a big black gooey beast. Its slow moving and very quiet but never shy.

Scarlet01 Report

#116

Strangled

Strangled

NickAndras Report

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Gianna Rosno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is slowly, ever so slowly closing off your windpipe, forcibly choking off your already strangled scream, ensuring that nobody will ever hear it, and at the same time, the beast also renders you immobile, so that you can never move and attract attention to your dire situation.

#117

Engulfed In Darkness

Engulfed In Darkness

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#118

A Pull Of Suffering

A Pull Of Suffering

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Gianna Rosno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The farther we try to get from it, the tighter it pulls against our throat.

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#119

Bloodied

Bloodied

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#121

Depressed To The Bones

Depressed To The Bones

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

That's what you feel you look like having depression your whole life

#122

Anger And Depression

Anger And Depression

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#123

Detecting Depression

Detecting Depression

Illustration for depression and advancements in brain imaging to detect it.

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#124

Fighting The Demons

Fighting The Demons

Socolateh Report

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Gianna Rosno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if you fight the demons, they will always be stronger if you are alone.

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#126

Art During A Time Of Depression

Art During A Time Of Depression

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#127

Suffocated And Shattered: A Depression Artwork

Suffocated And Shattered: A Depression Artwork

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Gianna Rosno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You continually strangle yourself with your own thoughts, until you finally crack, then shatter. But those pieces are still there, and you still have to endure every millisecond of that agonizing pain every time one of those pieces brushes against another.

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#129

Abstract Art: Depression Explained

Abstract Art: Depression Explained

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#130

An Honest Depression Artwork

An Honest Depression Artwork

Depression - the personification of one of the modes in man. I do not know how else to call it.

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#131

The Depression Demon

The Depression Demon

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#132

Christmas Depression

Christmas Depression

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#133

Free Sticks (Just Break One Off)

Free Sticks (Just Break One Off)

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Gianna Rosno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then there are those people that try to take the one in the middle, or at the bottom, sending all of your being crashing down.

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#134

A Red Depression

A Red Depression

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Art Therapy for Depression

These depression drawings have come from a tough struggle that people went through daily. If it inspired you in any way, don’t forget to let us know in the comments. Also, if you know anyone suffering from depression, share this with them. The world will be a better place if it helps them even a little.

We would again like to stress that although art therapy is helpful, get professional help if you or anyone you know is suffering from depression. You can find a helpline in your country and reach out for free, confidential support.