--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the throws of depression, one reaches…" description: "\"“In the throws of depression, one reaches a strange point at which it is impossible to see the line between ones own theatricality and the reality of m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/andrew-solomon-1140_depression_in-the-throws-of-depression-one-reaches_82185.jpg" --- # In the throws of depression, one reaches a strange point… ![“In the throws of depression, one reaches a strange point at which it is impossible to see the line between ones own theatricality and the reality of madness. I discovered two conflicting qualities of character. I am melodramatic by nature; on the other hand, I can go out and “seem normal” under…” quote by Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/andrew-solomon-1140_depression_in-the-throws-of-depression-one-reaches_82185.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/andrew-solomon-1140_depression_in-the-throws-of-depression-one-reaches_82185.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebd/andrew-solomon-1140_depression_in-the-throws-of-depression-one-reaches_82185.jpg) > ““In the throws of depression, one reaches a strange point at which it is impossible to see the line between ones own theatricality and the reality of madness. I discovered two conflicting qualities of character. I am melodramatic by nature; on the other hand, I can go out and “seem normal” under the most abnormal of circumstances. Antonin Artaud wrote on one of his drawings, “never real and always true”, and that is how depression feels. You know that it is not real, that you are someone else, and yet you know that it is absolutely true. Its very confusing.”” [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Depression blurs the boundary between performative self‑presentation and genuine madness, creating a paradox where experiences feel both unreal and undeniably true. **In simple terms:** Depression distorts reality and self‑perception. Key Takeaway Depression is a paradox of unreality and truth. Themes mental health identity perception paradox authenticity psychology Mood confused melancholic introspective Type personal narrative philosophical observation When to use this quote - clinical therapy - personal memoir - psycho‑educational workshops - support groups - creative writing Key Concepts depression self‑presentation madness reality Practical Applications - psychotherapy - self‑help literature Questions to Reflect On - How does the feeling of unreality affect coping strategies? - What role does self‑performance play in mental illness? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) ## Related quotes > [Antonin Artaud wrote on one of his drawings, "Never real and always true," and that is how depression feels. 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Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More by Andrew Solomon > [“If you banish the dragons, you banish the heroes...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/if-you-banish-the-dragons-you-banish-the-heroes/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [I started traveling out of curiosity, but I have come to believe in travel's political importance, that encouraging a nation's citizenry to travel may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/i-started-traveling-out-of-curiosity-but-i-have-come-to-believe-in/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [When I was born, the wisdom was that homosexuality was an illness; that it was caused largely by somebody's mother, and a distorted relationship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/when-i-was-born-the-wisdom-was-that-homosexuality-was-an-illness-that/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [A lot of people are very political when they are young, and then they outgrow it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/a-lot-of-people-are-very-political-when-they-are-young-and-then-they/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [Having always imagined myself in a fairly slim minority, I suddenly saw that I was in a vast company. 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Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [There's only so much for a man to take...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gilchrist/there-s-only-so-much-for-a-man-to-take/) Kirsten Gilchrist > [“my stomach turned and burned with the acid of failure”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-ames/my-stomach-turned-and-burned-with-the-acid-of-failure/) Heidi Ames > [That is the real problem of depression - a condition which will affect an estimated one in five of the population at some point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-andreae/that-is-the-real-problem-of-depression-a-condition-which-will-affect/) [Giles Andreae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-andreae/) > [Im tired, tired of putting more effort than you do. 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