Depression doesn’t move in straight lines.
Some seasons, you feel like you’re walking through it—pushing forward, doing the work, noticing small shifts in energy or hope. Other seasons, you’re simply walking with it—carrying its weight while still showing up for your life, your people, and yourself.
At Arkham Rise Counseling, we see both experiences as valid, human, and deeply courageous.
The Myth of “Getting Over It”
A common misconception is that healing means eliminating depression entirely. In reality, mental health is more like weather than a finish line. It shifts. It cycles. It returns. It clears. And none of that means you’re failing.
Clinically, depression often shows up in patterns:
- Acute episodes where symptoms intensify
- Chronic low‑grade depression that lingers in the background
- Situational dips triggered by stress, loss, or change
- Periods of remission where symptoms ease
Healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about building the skills, support, and insight to navigate each phase with more clarity and less shame.
Walking Through Depression
When you’re walking through depression, you may notice:
- Energy slowly returning
- More emotional range
- The ability to plan, hope, or imagine again
- A sense of movement, even if it’s small
This phase often aligns with:
- Effective therapy
- Medication support
- Lifestyle shifts
- Increased connection
- Stabilized stressors
Walking through depression feels like progress. But progress doesn’t always mean the absence of symptoms—it means you’re gaining tools, language, and resilience.
Walking With Depression
Other times, depression doesn’t lift—it rides shotgun.
You may be:
- Going to work while feeling numb
- Caring for your family while carrying heaviness
- Showing up for commitments even when motivation is low
- Managing symptoms instead of escaping them
This isn’t weakness.
This is survival.
This is strength in motion.
Clinically, this phase is common for people with:
- Persistent depressive disorder
- Trauma histories
- Chronic stress
- Neurodivergence
- Caregiver burnout
Walking with depression means you’re still moving, even when the weight is real.
Both Paths Are Part of the Journey
Mental health isn’t binary. You’re not “better” or “not better.” You’re human.
Some days you’re climbing out.
Some days you’re carrying on.
Both are worthy. Both are progress.
At Arkham Rise Counseling, we help clients:
- Understand their depression patterns
- Build coping strategies that fit real life
- Reduce shame around “bad days”
- Strengthen emotional regulation
- Develop sustainable routines
- Reconnect with meaning and identity
Healing is not about pretending the darkness never existed. It’s about learning how to navigate it without losing yourself.
If You’re Walking Through It or With It—You’re Not Alone
Whether you’re in a season of movement or a season of maintenance, your experience is valid. Depression doesn’t define your worth, your strength, or your future.
If you’re ready for support that meets you where you are—without judgment, pressure, or unrealistic expectations—our clinicians are here to walk alongside you.
Arkham Rise Counseling
Where healing is human, and every step counts.