6 things I stopped doing to fix my depression

Dr. Scott Eilers2 minutes read

Dr. Scott struggled with severe depression for 40 years before significantly improving, eventually founding the Northstar Psychological Center to help others with similar issues. He emphasized the importance of making crucial changes to combat depression effectively and cautioned against excessive engagement with fantasy worlds to manage mental health struggles.

Insights

  • Dr. Scott battled severe depression for 40 years, leading to job and relationship instability, but eventually improved significantly, feeling good 90% of the time.
  • Regular exposure to fantasy worlds can trigger depressive episodes, emphasizing the importance of selective engagement with such media to prevent negative mental states.

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Recent questions

  • How did Dr. Scott combat his depression?

    By making six crucial changes in his life.

  • What percentage of the time did Dr. Scott feel good after improving?

    90% of the time.

  • What did Dr. Scott found to help those with depression and anxiety?

    Initiated programs and authored a book.

  • What did Dr. Scott found to specialize in treating at his center?

    Mood and anxiety disorders.

  • What can trigger depressive episodes related to media consumption?

    Unrealistic expectations and comparisons.

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Summary

00:00

"Dr. Scott's Journey: Overcoming Depression and Anxiety"

  • Dr. Scott struggled with depression for 40 years, with a significant portion of that time spent in severe depression.
  • He experienced occasional better days but found them distressing as they highlighted his usual misery.
  • During high school and college, he barely functioned, with minimal healthy relationships and academic struggles.
  • Dr. Scott's depression led to job and relationship instability, with a notable failure in an introductory psychology course during college.
  • Over time, he significantly improved, feeling good 90% of the time, though acknowledging ongoing struggles.
  • Dr. Scott initiated programs and authored a book to aid those with moderate to severe depression and anxiety.
  • He founded the Northstar Psychological Center, specializing in treating mood and anxiety disorders.
  • Dr. Scott identified six crucial changes he made to combat his depression effectively.
  • He ceased using drugs and alcohol to avoid relying on substances for mood improvement.
  • Dr. Scott shifted focus from seeking fleeting joy to pursuing lasting achievements, finding them more resilient during depressive episodes.

15:36

Fantasy media can trigger depression; manage wisely.

  • Regular exposure to fantasy worlds through media like anime, video games, TV shows, and movies can trigger depressive episodes due to unrealistic expectations and comparisons, leading to dissatisfaction with one's own life and a sense of pointlessness.
  • To manage struggles with depression, the speaker has stopped getting overly invested in fantasy worlds, emphasizing the need for selective engagement with such media to prevent spiraling into negative mental states and appreciate the positives in their real life.
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