What Happens at the End of a Loooong Depressive Episode?

Santa Claus seemed to have forgotten about me. So I decided to brighten my mood with a bit of creative writing

As you might have heard, my posts on this site don’t reveal that I’ve just emerged from a five-year struggle with severe depression. Despite trying everything from fun activities and stimulants to travel, sports.

And various hobbies, reading philosophy, praying, daily exercise, and numerous medications like different forms of Prozac, the cloud of depression lingered. In fact, it dominated my entire study period.

But now? Quite unexpectedly, it feels like I’ve crossed a threshold. When did this change happen?

Probably around October or late September. At first, I was hesitant to embrace this newfound uplift, fearing it might be a fleeting phase, common in autumn when humans seem to experience a sort of mating season.

However, after a month or two of steady daily contentment, I couldn’t deny it any longer. The depression has vanished as suddenly as it came.

If someone were to try cataloging and describing every instance of depression, they’d run out of paper.

Some physiological factors, like reduced sleep, high-carb diets, and lack of sunlight, are known contributors. According to Rosenthal and colleagues (1984), reduced daylight alone can trigger seasonal depression, which bright light relieves.

Yet the exact process of how these deficiencies translate into negative thoughts remains unclear. Even the hereditary nature of depression is uncertain.

One thing is clear—certain professions are particularly prone to melancholy and its harmful effects. According to Wulsin and colleagues (2014), depression rates vary more than twofold across industries, peaking in high-stress, public-facing work. In contrast, architects, scientists, and engineers seem less vulnerable, with one notable exception—astronauts.

Why Is Depression So Common Among Astronauts?

This is a prominent case where astronauts experience depression after long missions. Buzz Aldrin’s struggle with this condition spans about 40 years and shows no sign of ending.

Recently, news highlighted a scandal involving NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak, who used pepper spray on a rival in a romantic dispute. While this incident got a lot of attention, attacks and feelings of despair are not unusual among astronauts.

Curiosity got the better of me—I wanted to understand why. The most plausible explanation is a deadly mix. It combines isolation in confined spaces far from society, unmet basic needs, and intense physical exertion.

What’s surprising is that NASA, with its vast resources and rigorous selection process, can’t protect its astronauts from such issues. It’s equally puzzling that these problems often arise after an astronaut retires, a time when they should feel accomplished. Perhaps it’s the sudden shift from a dream job to ordinary life that takes a toll.

What Is NASA Doing About It?

Looking ahead to future long space missions, such as a Mars journey, NASA is developing computer programs for self-therapy. The extended duration of such trips raises concerns about depression during the flight.

The “Self-Guided Depression Treatment on Long-Duration Spaceflights” project is led by psychologist James Carter from Harvard University’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. It focuses on creating a sense of connection with Earth and loved ones while forming a tight-knit crew unit in space. Peter Suedfeld from the University of British Columbia is drawing inspiration from modern explorers who ventured into remote areas on Earth.

Studying their accounts, including letters, diaries, and testimonies, sheds light on how they dealt with loneliness and depression. According to Palinkas and Suedfeld (2008), prolonged isolation in polar and other extreme environments brings disturbed sleep, impaired cognition, and interpersonal tension. Meanwhile, interviews with NASA veterans who completed months-long missions also contribute to this research.

While I don’t have the specifics from the APA conference on this topic, these efforts are revealing fundamental truths. No amount of exercise, chemistry, or treatment is as effective as maintaining social connections, even through satellite links with loved ones back on Earth. According to Kanas et al. (2001), ground contact ranks among the factors most closely tied to crew mood on long missions.

What Does This Mean for Me?

At this point, I can turn my attention from the vastness of outer space to my own surroundings. My four walls and the table where I write. In fact, the social networks and instant messaging services I sometimes feel guilty about might matter more.

Perhaps they prevent my slide into nothingness. Maybe I shouldn’t deny myself those hours of daily online interactions. They create a sense of constant connection with others, even if it’s an illusion.

And as it turns out, this can keep a relative balance. Consider this a virtual “stamp” of approval from NASA.