I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

3. FORGIVE YOURSELF:
People who are depressed often feel guilty over trivial
matters. They actually haven’t done anything really wrong and
totally unforgivable. That’s often the nature of a depressed mind.
This can even develop into a more serious symptom known as
‘delusion of guilt’ – a fixed and false belief than one has done
something wrong or sinful (despite everyone thinking otherwise).
Tormented by guilt, a depressed person may think:
“I don’t deserve to get well”
“It’s punishment from God – I shouldn’t get well!”
“I must go through the suffering – it’s my bad kamma/sin”
“I’m useless. Not only that - I’m evil too”
“It’s not depression. I’m a bad person! – no point taking medicines”
I’m sure you can see how guilt easily interferes with depression
treatment. You may use the ‘F.A.R. 2’ formula as a guide to make
peace with guilt:
F – Forgiveness.
• Ask for forgiveness from those whom you have hurt.
• Ask for forgiveness from God or divine beings.
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