Misdiagnosing Growth: The Danger of Labeling Spiritual Awakening as Depression

Modern culture teaches us to equate withdrawal and solitude with dysfunction. We are trained from an early age to prioritize productivity over personal reflection, leaving little room for the sacred rhythms of rest, renewal, and connection to God. This disconnection suppresses spiritual growth and creates a deeper societal issue.

Periods of solitude are not signs of failure or avoidance—they are essential for recalibration and healing. Whether it’s 15 minutes of daily reflection or an extended period of retreat, time spent in solitude helps us process emotions, hear God’s voice, and reconnect with our purpose.

The signs of spiritual awakening—withdrawal, sadness, introspection—are often mistaken for depression or anxiety. Medical professionals may rush to diagnose and medicate without considering the context of a person’s experience, interrupting the natural process of transformation and growth.

While both experiences may involve withdrawal and sadness, spiritual awakening is driven by a longing for renewal and truth. Depression, by contrast, is marked by feelings of hopelessness and stagnation. Understanding these differences is crucial to ensuring appropriate support and care.

Spiritual awakening often involves a period of discomfort as old beliefs and patterns fall away. While it may appear chaotic or isolating to others, it is actually a sacred process of renewal. Mislabeling it as illness can cause harm and prevent individuals from reaching a deeper understanding of themselves and their connection to God.

When spiritual growth is misdiagnosed, individuals may be pushed back into the grind of daily life too quickly. This not only robs them of the opportunity to heal but reinforces societal norms that suppress introspection and spiritual evolution.

True spiritual healing requires patience and trust. It’s important to give ourselves—and others—the time and space to navigate the challenges of spiritual awakening. Growth doesn’t conform to timelines, but unfolds in its own divine rhythm.

To support the healing process during a spiritual awakening, focus on practices like:

• Journaling for self-reflection.

• Meditation and prayer for clarity and connection.

• Spending time in nature to restore balance.

• Reading spiritual texts for guidance and wisdom.

• Creative expression to channel emotions into meaning.

Many religious and spiritual texts support solitude. The Bible, one of the most far and wide read spiritual books of all time, affirms the importance of solitude for spiritual renewal. Verses like “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) remind us that stillness is not a sign of weakness but a sacred opportunity to reconnect with God and ourselves.

During my third dark night of the soul, triggered by family losses and caregiving demands, I fully surrendered to the process. Solitude became my sanctuary, allowing me to hear God’s voice and embrace healing through introspection.

O genuinely believe that if I had been “allowed” to fully experience my first and second awakenings—rather than having them treated as problems to fix—this third awakening might not have been necessary, or at least not for a long time. Each interruption left layers of healing unresolved, showing the importance of honoring the process.

Through spiritual awakening, I learned to trust God and myself despite external judgment. Society’s expectations may demand that we “snap out of it,” but true healing comes when we honor the inner call to retreat, reflect, and recalibrate.

As a society, we must stop pathologizing natural processes like grief, introspection, and spiritual awakening. By creating spaces for rest and renewal, we allow individuals to heal and grow into their authentic selves, benefiting both the individual and the community.

Spiritual awakening is not a mental illness but a sacred journey. By trusting the process and allowing ourselves to grow, we reclaim our spiritual freedom and align with God’s purpose for us. It’s a path of courage, transformation, and ultimately, divine connection.