Psychologist Explains Chronic Depression (here's what to do) | Dr. Scott Eilers

I'm joined by clinical psychologist ‪@DrScottEilers‬ to explore how he both treats and lives with chronic depression. We discuss anhedonia, the catch-22 of treatment resistance, how to build new practices when it’s the last thing you want to do, acceptance, and how a values-based approach can help someone move forward even when they’re feeling stuck. The conversation touches on some of the existential aspects of depression, the therapeutic relationship, and finding some humor along the way.

About Our Guest: Dr. Scott Eilers is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and mental health coach specializing in severe, treatment-resistant mood and anxiety disorders. He is the author of For When Everything Is Burning and hosts the podcast The Psychology of Depression and Anxiety.

Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
1:20 Scott’s personal experience of depression
5:40 Distinguishing sadness from depression, and depression vs. a depressing life
9:20 Choosing action, and emotional budgeting
18:05 Symptoms as obstacles, and when to establish new practices
23:45 Navigating emotional numbness, and creating rewarding experiences
30:35 Loneliness, and the struggle to be witnessed
36:45 Accepting how things are, and aiming for better instead of perfect
45:05 Finances, and disenchantment with therapy
47:25 AI therapy
52:30 Finding out who you are and what you care about
57:20 Humor, sarcasm, and snarkiness
1:00:55 Recap

Subscribe to Being Well on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5d87ZU1...

Who Am I: I'm Forrest, the co-author of Resilient (https://amzn.to/3iXLerD) and host of the Being Well Podcast (https://apple.co/38ufGG0). I'm making videos focused on simplifying psychology, mental health, and personal growth.

Subscribe to Rick on YouTube:    / @rickhanson  
Get Rick's Free Newsletters: https://rickhanson.com/writings/newsl...
Follow Rick Here:
🌍 https://rickhanson.com/
📸   / rickhansonphd  

I'm not a clinician, and what I say on this channel should not be taken as medical advice.

You can follow me here:
🎤 https://apple.co/38ufGG0
🌍 https://www.forresthanson.com
📸   / f.hanson