Good post.

As you write, the dichotomy between the rational mind and the emotions is very true: when depressed, you can rationalize that it is only depression that is making you feel and see life this way, not reality, but just understanding this doesn't make much of a difference. Rationally you can understand it, but that still doesn't make it "real" in your experience. Most of the time, the rational understanding is only enough to prevent you from doing something extreme, but not enough to actually make you feel different.