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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.

#1

Brain Sick

a drawing of a man's head in black color in which there is a red human body

Robert Carter Report

#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

#4

Colorful Depression

drawing of a crying girl with colorful tears

artedelle Report

#5

Depression Drawings

a drawing of a crying eye in grey colors

Spagheth Report

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. 

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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!

RELATED: 115 Powerful Mental Health Tattoos To Help You Heal

#6

Major Depressive Disorder

a pencil drawing of a skeleton on the ground

Shawn Coss Report

#7

Depression Artwork

a drawing of a girl with closed her mouth by hands

Report

#8

Teen Depression

a drawing of a men's face on which one eye closed by his hand

carts Report

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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

#10

Broken Soul

a drawing of woman and boy building a person by lego

John Holcroft Report

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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

#12

My Demons

a drawing of a person with closed face by his hands

Zary Report

#13

Can't Escape

a pencil drawing of a girl's face with phrase over her head

Unknown Report

#14

Fading Into Depression

a drawing of a blurred woman's body

KuleshovEvgeniy Report

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#15

Falling Into Depression

a drawing in grey colors of a woman and some palms behind her

ZarinaSitumorang Report

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.

#16

Empty

a drawing in grey colors of a human silhouette

Sekhmet17 Report

#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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#18

Evanesce

a drawing of a falling woman

Report

#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

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

#23

Good Bye Depression

a drawing of a woman's face and a bird nearby

KlarEm Report

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#24

Hopelessness

a drawing of a human with black heart

Steven H Report

#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

#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

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#28

Art During A Time Of Depression

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

herpaderps Report

#29

November

a drawing of a man in a coat with an inverted umbrella

Marcin Jakubowski Report

#30

She's Not Sad. She Feels Empty

a pencil drawing of a person sitting in the corner

Report

#31

Parasite

a black drawing of a monster

Riftress Report

#32

Dissociation Depression Drawing

a drawing of a doublefaces blurred face

Report

#33

Burden

a black drawing of person and red hands over his head

Byakuya1619 Report

#34

The Other Bedroom

a drawing of a girl sitting on the bed

AudreyBenjaminsen Report

#35

Dark Isolation

a grey drawing of a human sitting on the ground

bottleofsunshine13 Report

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#36

Red Art Print

a drawing of a woman lying on the side with a hugging black circle

Siiri V. Report

#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

#38

What Does Depression Feel Like…

a drawing of an eye with brow

Swiniaki Report

#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

Report

#40

Crumbling Into Pieces

a drawing of a cracked woman face

justcallmemike Report

#41

Brain Fog

a drawing of a human posture and head in the cloud

Steven H Report

#42

Morning Kiss From Your Depression

a grey drawing of a girl kissed by a horse

beiibis Report

#43

A Mind War

a drawing of a man closed his face by hands

ChaosCake Report

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#44

Trapped

a drawing of a human face behind bars

Mazzoldi Report

#45

Dystopia

a pencil drawing of a half of woman face

Sidiropoulos Ioannis Report

#46

No Peace From The Demons

a grey drawing of a human body with paws holding the skull

MattBarley 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

#49

Old Man In Sorrow

a drawing of an old man sitting on the chair

Vincent van Gogh Report

#50

Depressive

a drawing of a blurring face

Isisnofret Report

#51

No Escape

a drawing of a walking human and red arms holding it

MysteriousHylian Report

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#52

Depression Is Terrifying

a drawing of a crying man with open mouth

alfanarrasulli Report

#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

#54

Straight Jacket

a drawing of a person in a straight jacket

Report

#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

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#57

Haunted

a drawing of a crying woman's face

NerySoul 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

#60

The Monster Never Leaves

a drawing of a sleeping girl and monster over her

NightJinx 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

Report

#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

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#64

King Of Depression

a drawing of a monster with four eyes on the red background

MitchGrave Report

#65

Broken Wings

a drawing of a woman on the background of wings made of red prints of palms

S.Yoshiko 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

#68

A Depression Drawing With A Contrast

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

Gabi Junos Report

#69

Theft

a drawing of a face closed with crosses fingers

Margarita Georgiadis Report

#70

Manic Depression

Manic Depression

Ahness Report

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#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..

Report

#72

Emptiness

Emptiness

Steven Herbers Report

#73

Dejection

Dejection

Steven Herbers Report

#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

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#75

The Cloud Seed

The Cloud Seed

Margarita Georgiadis Report

#76

Seeking A Way Out

Seeking A Way Out

Shaakku Report

#77

Chained To Depression

Chained To Depression

Report

#78

When Depression Swallows You

When Depression Swallows You

Lenn-Rat Report

#79

Buried In Depression

Buried In Depression

Report

#80

The Big Monster In Your Head

The Big Monster In Your Head

Sedki Alimam Report

#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

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#82

Damaged And Broken

Damaged And Broken

AndreySkull Report

#83

Time And The Bell

Time And The Bell

Margarita Georgiadis Report

#84

Trying

Trying

clapfortalent Report

#85

An Endless Darkness

An Endless Darkness

TheWarbler Report

#86

This Is What Depression Looks Like

This Is What Depression Looks Like

Haridasa Report

#87

Depression: Tired

Depression: Tired

Report

#88

Panic Attack

Panic Attack

sow_ay Report

#89

Depression

Depression

ninykinin Report

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#90

What’s Inside?

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

Nayshie Report

#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

RobStanley Report

#93

Void

a drawing of a black strokes on a white background

Carlo Vargas Report

#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...

gabrieldevue Report

#95

Spiral Depression

a grey drawing of a screaming face

Nima Tayebian Report

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#96

Colourful Depression

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

saiyankatara Report

#97

When Depression Pulls You Down

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

danismymuse Report

#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

Report

#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.

Lucianomie Report

#100

Gloomy

a colorful person portrait

lexicalsanctuary Report

#101

When Depression Spreads

When Depression Spreads

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#102

Crying For Help

Crying For Help

blood-and-death Report

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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

Heidiesel Report

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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

#107

The Damned 2016

The Damned 2016

_asphodels_ 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.

Report

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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

#115

Art During A Time Of Depression

Art During A Time Of Depression

herpaderps Report

#116

Strangled

Strangled

NickAndras Report

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#117

Engulfed In Darkness

Engulfed In Darkness

shawnsmithart Report

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#118

A Pull Of Suffering

A Pull Of Suffering

yaraedrees Report

#119

Bloodied

Bloodied

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#120

Depression's Mirror

Depression's Mirror

blast3r Report

#121

Depressed To The Bones

Depressed To The Bones

KakashiHatake08 Report

#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.

Ryan Skalish Report

#124

Fighting The Demons

Fighting The Demons

Socolateh Report

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#125

Depressed Superheroes

Depressed Superheroes

lora-zombie Report

#126

Art During A Time Of Depression

Art During A Time Of Depression

herpaderps Report

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#127

Suffocated And Shattered: A Depression Artwork

Suffocated And Shattered: A Depression Artwork

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#128

Uncanny Depression

Uncanny Depression

shannonjyl Report

#129

Abstract Art: Depression Explained

Abstract Art: Depression Explained

Jmele Report

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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.

CredoRedzia Report

#131

The Depression Demon

The Depression Demon

Ray-of-Afterlife Report

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#132

Christmas Depression

Christmas Depression

jfkpaint Report

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#133

Free Sticks (Just Break One Off)

Free Sticks (Just Break One Off)

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#134

A Red Depression

A Red Depression

Melissa Regas Report

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#135

Starved Of Hope

Starved Of Hope

Suzanne Marie LeClair Report

#136

The Forest Of Fear

The Forest Of Fear

Dyrk Wyst Report

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. 

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