Absence Quote by Elizabeth Wurtzel
“That's the thing I want to make clear about depression: It's got nothing at all to do with life. In the course of life, there is sadness and pain and sorrow, all of which, in their right time and season, are normal-unpleasant, but normal. Depression is an altogether different zone because it involves a complete absence: absence of affect, absence of feeling, absence of response, absence of interest. The pain you feel in the course of a major clinical depression is an attempt on nature's part (nature, after all, abhors a vacuum) to fill up the empty space.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: Prodigal Summer, 2008
Depression is a void of feeling, distinct from ordinary sadness.
In simple terms: Depression is emptiness.
Key Takeaway
Seek help to fill the void.
Themes
mental health
loneliness
emptiness
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- support groups
- self‑care routines
Key Concepts
psychology
clinical depression
emotional numbness
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “feeling” mean to you now?
- How can you create connections that counteract emptiness?
A Different Perspective
Medical treatment may be needed alongside emotional support.
