Keedwell On The Benefits Of Depression

[D]epression is not a human defect at all, but a defence mechanism that in its mild and moderate forms can force a healthy reassessment of personal circumstances.

[...] There are benefits and that's why it has persisted. It's a tough message to hear while you are in depression but I think that there's a life afterwards

I have received e-mails from ex-sufferers saying in retrospect it probably did help them because they changed direction, a new career for example, and as a result they're more content day-to-day than before the depression.

One woman left an abusive relationship and moved on and might not have done if depression had not provided the necessary introspection.

Similarly, unrealistic expectations are revised when depression sparks a more humble reassessment of strengths and weaknesses.