The brainstem’s fast, automatic perception supports our intuition. When connections between the brainstem and other brain regions, especially the frontal cortex, are weakened, long-term thinking suffers. Without a sense of the future, attention remains in the past (Belmans et al., 2023), engendering feelings of guilt and regret. Focusing on the past makes it harder to remember positive memories, creating a harmful cycle. This hopelessness is one of the main signs of depression.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of global disability, affecting about 4% of the world’s population. Despite many comforts offered by modern life, genuine community bonds that can serve as a buffer against mental health struggles are often missing. Broader societal issues, such as rapid technological progress, can paradoxically disconnect people. As human life becomes dominated by technology, life can feel fragmented, lacking purpose and meaning. The loss of control or mental stagnation makes individuals more prone to depression. Workers, pushed into micromanaged roles, miss the bigger picture. Without a sense of purpose, parents often struggle to guide their children.
Consequently, depression frequently starts early; childhood stress increases the risk of depression later in life. Therefore, depression is a powerless state, causing mental rigidity. Rigidity consumes energy, draining mental resources and increasing vulnerability. This loss of mental energy was confirmed by Chinese scientists led by Yuanxi Li, who found that major depressive disorder is linked to decreased overall neural energy use and lower efficiency in key circuits, especially in the prefrontal cortex.
Telling someone with depression, “Just get over it,” is like asking a desert for water. When mental energy is depleted, the inner clock halts. In a cruel twist, the fragile mind bears the heavy weight of its past. Problems like low self-esteem and distorted social comparisons foster a sense of separation. Like a black hole, the self becomes isolated from the world.
Healing comes from light, not darkness. Openness sheds light on our shortcomings, pain, and distress. Neural energy approaches might offer new biomarkers and mechanistic insights into depression and enhance neuromodulation-based treatments. Mindfulness-based interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, medications, and newer methods like neurofeedback are traditional treatment options. Combining these strategies and tailoring them to individual needs may yield the best results.
Illustration: Automat by Edward Hopper, 1927
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Copyright © 2026 by Eva Deli
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