In "Darkness Visible," William Styron captures the profound despair of depression, highlighting a crucial absence of faith in recovery. Unlike other struggles where hope for a solution exists, depression blinds individuals to the possibility of deliverance, leaving them in a state of torment. This feeling of hopelessness amplifies their suffering, making each moment feel unbearable.

Styron emphasizes that the relentless nature of this pain is exacerbated by the knowledge that no relief is forthcoming, whether it be in the near or far future. Such an outlook transforms the experience of depression into an overwhelming burden, as the mind grapples with the certainty of ongoing anguish without the prospect of healing.