THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

DEPRESSION



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HELPFUL TIP:

Your story's theme is its central message to readers and can be reinforced with specific symbols and motifs pulled right from the setting. Additionally, symbols woven into a scene can underscore your character's emotions, establish mood, and even generate conflict. Explore your story theme thoughtfully and use associated symbols to do more with less.
THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
Just because someone looks happy doesn't mean they are.
Everyone has darkness inside them.
Depression is more than just feeling sad. 
Depression is not a person's fault.
Sometimes there is no fix, only treatment.
The first step forward is the hardest.
It's always darkest before the dawn.
You can find joy, even in the darkness.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I'm not depressed; I'm just in a funk. I don't need help.
I'm a failure.
Nothing (medication, therapy, etc.) will help.
I will never get better. 
No one wants to be around me.
This is my fault (because I don't have enough faith, because of the choices I've made, etc.).
I have nothing to offer.
Everything I touch is ruined.
Everyone else is doing better than I am.
I'm all alone in this.
If I can just hide my feelings, I'll be fine.
I'm not normal.
I'd be better off dead.
If you don't want to be depressed, just snap out of it.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
ADDICTIVE, CALLOUS, CRUEL, CYNICAL, DEFENSIVE, DISHONEST, IGNORANT, IMPATIENT, JUDGMENTAL, MORBID, PERFECTIONIST, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, UNCOMMUNICATIVE, VOLATILE, ADAPTABLE, ANALYTICAL, APPRECIATIVE, CONFIDENT, CREATIVE, DISCIPLINED, EMPATHETIC, GENTLE, HUMBLE, NURTURING, OPTIMISTIC, SOCIALLY AWARE, SPIRITUAL, STUDIOUS, SUPPORTIVE

WOUNDS THAT MAY SHAPE A CHARACTER'S PERSPECTIVE:
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CREATIVE WORKS THAT EXPLORE THIS THEME:
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NATURAL SYMBOLS FOR THIS THEME:
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HUMAN & SOCIETAL SYMBOLS FOR THIS THEME:
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SYMBOLISM EXAMPLES IN STORIES:
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