Why does everything feel pointless when I'm depressed?

The feeling that everything is pointless is one of the most distressing symptoms of Major depressive disorder and reflects how this condition affects your brain's ability to process finding meaning, pleasure, and hope. Major depressive disorder alters neurotransmitter function in ways that make it difficult to experience satisfaction, joy, or a sense of finding purpose in activities that once felt meaningful. This isn't a reflection of reality or your true values - it's a symptom of how Major depressive disorder distorts your perception and emotional processing. Major depressive disorder often involves 'anhedonia,' which is the reduced ability to feel pleasure or interest in activities. When your brain can't generate positive feelings from experiences that should be rewarding, those experiences naturally feel pointless. Additionally, Major depressive disorder affects your ability to see beyond the present moment of suffering, making it hard to imagine that things could improve or that your actions could lead to positive outcomes. The hopelessness that accompanies Major depressive disorder makes it difficult to connect with your values or see the broader meaning in your life and Interpersonal relationship. Major depressive disorder also tends to create all-or-nothing thinking patterns where if something isn't perfect or immediately rewarding, it feels completely worthless. This cognitive distortion makes it hard to appreciate small pleasures or incremental progress. The exhaustion that comes with Major depressive disorder can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming, contributing to the sense that nothing is worth the effort required. It's important to understand that these feelings of meaninglessness are temporary, even though they feel permanent when you're experiencing them. Major depressive disorder is treatable, and as your brain chemistry improves through Psychotherapy, Psychiatric medication, lifestyle changes, or time, your ability to experience life meaning and pleasure typically returns. In the meantime, try to engage in small activities that align with your values, even if they don't feel meaningful right now. Sometimes meaning returns gradually as you take action, rather than feeling meaningful before you act.