Will my depression go away now I'm free of the situation that caused it?

Hello, and thanks for your quesion.

The short answer is that I can't predict what will or won't happen, and couldn't even if I knew a lot more about you and your situation. The fact is you are still feeling this, so what to do about it.

Certainly being out of the situation removes some pressure, though of course there may be others from the new situation. This may not help, and may be keeping the underlying susceptability active. Ultimately, there is usually something in us that gets us into situations like this, and often continues to do so until we realise something needs to change in ourselves. This might be how we respond to those feelings, our own attitude for example.

This is where working with a professional can help, not because they have the answer, but because they can help you see more clearly what is there and help you find a way to meet your inner needs. This can help you create better situations in your life, as well as making you less susceptible when difficulties do arise in your external situation.

One of the difficulties I experience with feelings of sadness, is accepting them and being with them. It is the fact we instinctively want rid of such unpleasant feelings that makes this so difficult, which again is where working with a counsellor or therapist can help, though it needs someone with experience who doesn't see the aim as getting rid of the feelings but rather to help you learn how to allow, accept and transform them.

Good luck. This is the most difficult, but the most worthwhile work, and for all the awfulness of depression it can also be an enormous opportunity if you are lucky enough to be able to make use of it.

Mark