Navigating the storm to recovery : lived experiences of depression through art

Abstract

Background: Depression is a highly complex and pervasive mental illness that may be easier to express through the use of metaphor and imagery as opposed to verbal narration. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of literature pertaining to the use of artmaking in exploring the lived experience of depression. Aim: To gain insight into the lived experience of individuals recovering from depression, and to further understand this complex lived experience through the use of artmaking. Design: A qualitative approach in accordance with the principles of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Setting: Art sessions and interviews took place in a quiet room within the local psychiatric hospital. Participants: Five individuals who were recovering from unipolar depression. Methods: Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection took place though the use of art sessions and 40 minute semi-structured interviews which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Pictures of participants’ artworks were included in the results. Data analysis was carried out using IPA. Results: A number of artworks were created depicting various representations of the participants’ experience with depression. Two super-ordinate themes emerged from participants’ interviews, namely: ‘A New Me in Me’ and ‘A Search for Meaning’. Conclusion: Participants described their experience of depression through a number of images and metaphors, such as ‘sinking downwards uncontrollably’ in a stormy sea and ‘crawling into oneself’ by curling up into foetal position. The use of artmaking added depth to their narratives of depression by providing a visual aid in understanding such complex experiences. Furthermore, it was noted that the stages of recovery effected participants’ perceptions of their illness, as participants who were further along in their recovery were more hopeful and future oriented. This was reflected in their colour scheme which consisted of varying, vibrant colours.