--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we have been depressed before, a low…" description: "\"“If we have been depressed before, a low mood can become easier and easier to trigger over time, because each time it returns, the thoughts, fe elings ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/j-mark-g-williams-34413_depression_if-we-have-been-depressed-before-a-low-m_1701639.jpg" --- # If we have been depressed before, a low mood can become… ![“If we have been depressed before, a low mood can become easier and easier to trigger over time, because each time it returns, the thoughts, fe elings , body sensations, and behaviors that accompany it form stronger and stronger connections to each other. Eventually, any one element can trigger…” quote by J. Mark G. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/j-mark-g-williams-34413_depression_if-we-have-been-depressed-before-a-low-m_1701639.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/j-mark-g-williams-34413_depression_if-we-have-been-depressed-before-a-low-m_1701639.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/555/j-mark-g-williams-34413_depression_if-we-have-been-depressed-before-a-low-m_1701639.jpg) > ““If we have been depressed before, a low mood can become easier and easier to trigger over time, because each time it returns, the thoughts, fe elings , body sensations, and behaviors that accompany it form stronger and stronger connections to each other. Eventually, any one element can trigger depression by itself.”” [J. Mark G. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mark-g-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeated depressive episodes strengthen neural pathways, making future episodes easier to trigger by any single symptom. **In simple terms:** Depression becomes self‑reinforcing. Key Takeaway Interrupt patterns early. Themes mental health neuroplasticity habit formation Mood concerned reflective Type psychological educational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - self‑monitoring - stressful events - relapse prevention Key Concepts cognitive behavioral therapy mindfulness psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you break the cycle of reinforcement? - What early signs can you notice? A Different Perspective May overlook external stressors and social factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Mood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mood/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“I've learned from my own experience that the worst thing I can do when I'm in a low mood is to start analysing my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-finn/i-ve-learned-from-my-own-experience-that-the-worst-thing-i-can-do/) Chris Finn > [I really can't stand any more to pay for a burst of animation when someone comes in for drinks with a depressed and low-keyed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-wilson/i-really-can-t-stand-any-more-to-pay-for-a-burst-of-animation-when/) [Edmund Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-wilson/) > [Even at my most depressed and low-functioning, as soon as you put another person in the room with me, I would perk up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-calloway/even-at-my-most-depressed-and-low-functioning-as-soon-as-you-put/) [Caroline Calloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-calloway/) > [My doctor says, 'You've got one of the hardest ones to treat because it's not bipolar, it's not up and down, you're always just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-reznor/my-doctor-says-you-ve-got-one-of-the-hardest-ones-to-treat-because-it/) [Trent Reznor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-reznor/) > [Manic depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/manic-depression-distorts-moods-and-thoughts-incites-dreadful/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [“date of the award approached, I would not have accepted at all. 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The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) ## More by J. Mark G. Williams > [“When we stop trying to force pleasant feelings, they are freer to emerge on their own . When we stop trying to resist unpleasant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-mark-g-williams/when-we-stop-trying-to-force-pleasant-feelings-they-are-freer-to/) [J. Mark G. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mark-g-williams/) > [“Get out of our heads and learn to experience the world directly, experientially, without the relentless commentary of our thoughts. 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Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mark-g-williams/) > [“Mindfulness could also be described as "heartfulness" because it is really about a compassionate awareness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-mark-g-williams/mindfulness-could-also-be-described-as-heartfulness-because-it-is/) [J. Mark G. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mark-g-williams/) [Explore all 14 J. Mark G. Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mark-g-williams/) ## More Depression quotes > [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/) > [“As ofttimes as it rains on my little spot of earth, you'd think I'd grow accustomed to the gloom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/as-ofttimes-as-it-rains-on-my-little-spot-of-earth-you-d-think-i-d/) [Richelle E. 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