It helps a lot to be aware of what is happening, so I learned. When you are denying a depression or other mental issues, I have learned you get sucked in much easier and deeper than when you are opening your eyes and at least acknowledging that this is not going the right way..

Since I know the signs my darker days are usually just days and take me a few of these days to snap out of it again instead of getting sucked into it for months like in the past.

I also can't deny having PTSD, but I also never took therapy for it, and I recognize the behavior of periods where I listen to depressing music or music that makes me get back in time (partially, not all the way) as it feels that this helps me trigger something just enough to not get sucked into too bad but unlock the feelings to get things moving again, either by writing or creating things.

Good to read @acidyo is by your side, I would not know how to get through shit times without my partner, who puts up with me even through these cycles that I go through .. you probably know well what I mean :) haha

At least we know it ourselves too, that's progress!

Take care, and keep creating art, you are good at it :)