Depression after abuse can feel like a silent thief—stealing your energy, your joy, and even your sense of identity. It’s a natural part of the healing journey, though rarely talked about in honest terms. You may be showing up to therapy, journaling, practicing self-love, and still find yourself drowning in emotional fatigue. This doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re in the thick of recovery.
Why Depression Often Follows Abuse
When you’ve lived under the weight of emotional control, gaslighting, and manipulation—especially at the hands of a narcissist—your body and mind learn to survive, not thrive. Once you leave that environment, the crash can feel overwhelming. Depression may show up as numbness, apathy, or exhaustion. And it’s not a sign you’re going backward.
Rehabilitation and Emotional Health Take Time
Recovery is not linear. One day, you might feel hopeful and strong. The next, you’re overcome with sadness and fatigue. This is normal. This is healing. Emotional health means honoring those fluctuations without shame. It means creating space for rest, not forcing productivity.
How to Cope When You’re in the Dark
- Name what you’re feeling. Depression thrives in silence. Speak it, write it, acknowledge it.
- Prioritize rest. Your nervous system is in rehabilitation. Sleep, nature, and stillness help you mend.
- Seek connection. You’re not alone. Reach out to support groups or trauma-informed therapists.
Even in the darkness, you are growing. Even in the silence, your healing is unfolding.
