Depression Quote by J. Mark G. Williams
““Why, then, do depression and unhappiness outlast the situations that trigger them? Or why, sometimes, does a sense of malaise and dis-satisfaction go on and on? The short answer is that these emotions persist because we have emotional reactions to our own emotions that actually keep them going.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World, 2015
Emotions linger because we react to them, creating a feedback loop that sustains distress.
In simple terms: We prolong feelings by reacting to them.
Key Takeaway
Notice and break emotional feedback loops.
Themes
mental health
emotion
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
calming
Type
psychological
practical
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal journaling
- stressful workdays
- relationship conflicts
Key Concepts
feedback loops
self‑reaction
rumination
Questions to Reflect On
- What reactions keep your sadness alive?
- How can you observe emotions without feeding them?
A Different Perspective
Changing thoughts alone may not stop the loop.
