Have you ever felt so down that you either:

- sit in a corner

• close and lock your bedroom door
  
• hide under the sheets
  
• all of the above

Sitting in a corner is a clear and physical way to say "leave me alone". You sit there, curled up in a ball, trying to hide yourself from the world around you. You feel cornered, trapped and helpless. You feel like the walls are closing in on you and your world just gets smaller and smaller, leaving you with just yourself and your depression.

Closing and locking your bedroom door keeps everyone that you don't want to see out. You isolate yourself from the world, confiding yourself in a place where you feel safe. You don't want to see or speak to anyone outside of your walls until you are ready. You occupy yourself with things and activities that might help you cheer yourself up.

Hiding under the covers may seem childish, but its not. You lay on your bed and pull the covers over you, completely hiding yourself. You wish to be surrounded by darkness and silence, a part of you feels safe as you hide under your blanket. You feel like you disappeared from the world and finding yourself in a vast dark and quiet void you created yourself. You use that quiet time to recharge your batteries and hide from the misery of the life outside your hiding place. You feel safe, but yet the vast darkness will get to you and you will feel alone and trapped.

There are times when one gets lost or "too comfortable" in their hiding spot that they never leave from it. Sometimes one needs to bring them out of their hiding spot, reminding them that it is safe for them to slowly step out and face the world again. You tell them that they don't have to go forth alone. You are there, holding their hand, like a child who is too scared to go alone.

You shouldn't force them out. You need to let them slowly come out on their own. Rushing them out will only make things worse and they will have a higher need to isolate themselves again. Be with them for a while, remind them that you are there if they ever need anything or need someone to talk to.

Sometimes company is all that they seek.

artwork © 2013 Alex Cockburn