Belly of a fish

Those familiar with the Bible know the story of Jonas being swallowed by a big fish and later being spewed out to go do what he was supposed to do in the first place.  I pondered on the story and it could have happened exactly like that.  However, what if the being swallowed by a big fish is a metaphor for describing deep depression or maybe a coma.  I often felt that being inside a belly of fish an excellent description of deep depression.  I would feel totally cut off, unable to sleep, eat, or function in any way.  Breathing would seem pointless.  Jonas woes began when he refused to do what he was commanded to do.  He compounded the issue by running away.  Poor Jonas just kept digging himself deeper and deeper.  I learned to have a lot of compassion for Jonas.  Describing depression or PTSD to someone that has not experienced these things is difficult to convey the depth and darkness of these emotions.  I wonder how other people would describe depression to someone that has not experienced it.