I recently wrote a post, Depression and the Lightbulb Moment. Somebody I bumped into said “It’s a clever idea, the thing about going into another room to find the switch, but when I was depressed I didn’t know where the door was either”.

If you’ve ever visited a National Trust stately home in the UK, you’ll be familiar with the tour guides. They take people from room to room pointing out the treasures, highlighting useful facts, and throwing in a bit of history (Usually for a small fee, though some are free). They are familiar with the route, and they know which way to go. That’s why they are tour guides.

It’s the same when heading for any unfamiliar place, a guide is an asset. If he or she is good at their job, they’ll do far more than point out landmarks and give you a bit of history; they’ll also understand the culture, habits and behaviours of the place you are headed for. They’ll tell you what to expect when you arrive, and explain how you should behave when you get there.

If you suffer from depression and you don’t know the way out of it, you might consider finding a guide to help you. Me, for example. You certainly don’t need to stay in that dark and lonely place.