7 dimensions of depression, explained | Daniel Goleman, Pete Holmes & more | Big Think

7 dimensions of depression, explained
Watch the newest video from Big Think: bigth.ink/NewV...
Learn skills from the world's top minds at Big Think+: bigthink.com/p...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people suffer from depression. It is the leading cause of disability and, at its worst, can lead to suicide. Unfortunately, depression is often misunderstood or ignored until it is too late.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman, comedian Pete Holmes, neuroscientist Emeran Mayer, psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, and more outline several of the social, chemical, and neurological factors that may contribute to the complex disorder and explain why there is not a singular solution or universal "cure" that can alleviate the symptoms.
From gaining insight into how the brain-gut connection works and adopting a more Mediterranean diet, to seeking help from medical or spiritual practitioners, depression is a personal battle that requires a personalized strategy to keep it at bay, as well as more research and understanding.
Check Drew Ramsey's book "Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety: Nourish Your Way to Better Mental Health in Six Weeks" at amzn.to/3b1jtuU
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSCRIPT:
JOHANN HARI: When I feel depressed, like loads of people, I say I feel down, right? And as I was learning about the causes of depression and anxiety for my book, "Lost Connections," I started to realize, I don't think that's a metaphor. There is this amazing Professor at Stanford called Robert Sapolsky who in his early '20s went to live with a troop baboons in Kenya. And it was his job to figure out when are baboons most stressed out. So his job was to hit them with little tranquilizer darts and then take a blood test and measure something called cortisol, which is a hormone that baboons and us release when we're stressed. And baboons live in this hierarchy, so the females don't interestingly but the men live in a very strict hierarchy. So if there's 30 men, number one knows he's above number two, number two knows he's above number three, number 12 knows he's above number 13. And that really determines a lot. It determines who you get to have sex with, it determines what you get to eat, it determines whether you get to sit in the shade or you're pushed out into the heat. Yeah, it's a really, really significant where you are in the hierarchy.
And what Professor Sapolsky found is baboons are most stressed in two situations. One is when their status is insecure. So if you're the top guy and someone's circling which comes for you, you will be massively stressed. And the other situation is when you feel you're at the bottom of a hierarchy, you've been kind of humiliated. And what Professor Sapolsky found is when you feel you've been pushed to the bottom, what you do is you show something called submission gesture. Baboon will put its body down physically or put its head down, it will put its bottom in the air and it will cover its head. So it clearly seems to be communicating, "Just leave me alone, you've beaten me. Okay, you've beaten me." And what lots of scientists, people like Professor Paul Gilbert in Britain and Professor Kate Pickett and Professor Richard Wilkinson also in Britain have really developed is this idea that actually what human depression is in part, not entirely, but in part, is a form of a submission gesture. It's a way of saying, I can't cope with this anymore, right? Particularly people who feel they've been pushed to the bottom of hierarchies or who feel remember the other stressful situations when you feel your status is insecure it's a way of just going, "Okay, can I retreat?" "I don't want this fight anymore." "You've beaten me." It's a kind of very strong evolutionary impulse where you feel you're under attack to just submit in the hope that the stress and anxiety will then go away. The sources of the stress and anxiety will then go away.
And one thing that is so important, Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson really developed this, is they've shown so as inequality grows, depression and anxiety grow. They've shown, this is very robust effect, right? This helps us to explain it. One in five Americans will take a psychiatric drug, one in four middle-aged women in the United States is taking a chemical antidepressant in any given year. And I began to think, could it really be that just so many people are just mysteriously lacking a specific chemical in their brain? Why does it seem to be rising so much if that's the cause? If you live in Norway, your status is relatively secure, right? No one's that high, no one's that low, movement between where you are is not so extreme. If you live in the United States, especially today which is...
Read the full transcript at bigthink.com/n...

[@bigthink]

What has helped you or a loved one cope with depression?

[@TheDoomWizard]

Ketamine or micro dosing

[@TheDoomWizard]

@@plantstho6599 No. You aren't alone. I'm also on the spectrum & recorded this for people like us. Go watch my video "the invisible struggle of high functioning ASD and still trying to live an awesome life."

[@kalxite]

@@plantstho6599 I'd like to hear your ideas

[@kalxite]

@@TheDoomWizard thanks for the video

[@PartyChicken407]

Exercise. It’s so underrated but good physical therapy is a huge key.

[@raresmircea]

Wow, the comedian girl at the end spoke incredibly well. "We get some disease in some organ and everyone is compassionate but when we get some pathology of the brain it’s like it’s our fault" 🤘

[@tiwiogunye]

On G

[@TheClipperchip]

Her name is Ruby Wax. She has a brilliant, funny, Ted talk. It’s called “what’s so funny about mental illness”. Worth checking out.

[@devora4386]

@@TheClipperchip thank you! I love her and was trying to find her name!

[@teresa9419]

🎯

[@enieh112]

Devil with tourettes 🤣

[@CR250RidR]

I just hate how we have to work sooooo damn hard just to live. Paying ridiculously expensive rent, expensive utilities. And the price for everything just keeps going up and up and we end up having to work longer and harder just to make ends meet.

[@I-must-scream]

That's what I would call the socioeconomic contribution to depression lmao. We live in a very sick, very ugly society. For a lot of us if you just take those pressures away we would have the room to heal.

[@cyn2480]

yep

[@ashleykathryn9038]

It's nearly impossible while battling mental health. I had to start over with everything and the hardest part is supporting myself while dealing with PTSD and depression. It's like juggling eight things with one hand while half asleep, good luck! Haha

[@aaldrikbakker]

@@ashleykathryn9038 The frustrated part of this whole discussion, even in this video, is that the solution almost always is on the level of the individual. Like the man in the beginning said; depression is a social thing. So the answer must be social too. If inequality is causing depression, it's all fine and stuff to deal with depression on an individual level for sure, but please let us look far more at the large scale effects of inequality and learned helplessness in this sick society and fix that. Then fewer and fewer people will feel better. Dealing with depression and mental health only on an individual level is like fixing the water in a leaking boat, but never actually close the whole in the boat. It's absurd. This is the main reason I support basic income because exactly this effect of learned helplessness and depression gets better in people because for once in their lifes, they feel hope again. And get more autonomy. Building a more sustainable society is ultimately the best solution and then there is always room for indivudal help. It's just that individual help is way too overstated compare to socio-economic solutions. It's crazy to me that this is not already more mainstream yet and a big dicussion under psychologistis economists social scientists etc to discuss large solutions like UBI in a world full of depression and mental health issues, especially in the US. Myself I live in The Netherlands, but I want the US to be healthy, because it affects the rest of the world too. Weather we want it or not.

[@HallieEva]

Wr basically live in the future dystopia they imagined in the 80's and 90's.

[@ggodsdogg]

Ruby got the closest to defining it. It has nothing to do with sadness or being unhappy. It’s like being numb and unable to feel anything.

[@kuwapa]

I think people with depression would benefit greatly from reframing their world view and their position in what can only be described as an insane & pathologically fragmented modern society. I honestly think our self images are at least in part a product of the society & world we are a part of. Which the more you wake up the more you realize ain't normal or healthy by any stretch of the imagination. However, the key is to harness your own unique trauma & pathology of despair to truly see deep into the heart of society and then you are on your way to being a compassionate healer.

[@deicide666100]

@@kuwapa the heart of society is the problem not the solution, it’s the people we all see who can’t be bothered to do anything other think of themselves, to have to be apart of the same specific as 70 plus million Americans who just don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves, they don’t even consider that right now just getting a vaccine ( which the argument they use has been debunked and retracted and admitted to falsifying results) to help all of us not just themselves, we could have put our differences aside for a while and literally every country could have worked together but we never will, because money and power rule humanity and it’s in our nature to destroy ourselves

[@maricamaas2326]

@@deicide666100 Money and power is at the very heart of vaccine mandates. Vaccination should be a simple matter of informed consent. Especially now that we have listened to many testimonies about the adverse reactions the vaccine had caused in some; we should be free to choose not to receive it - without being rediculed and shamed.

[@maricamaas2326]

This is a protective response part of PTSD/Complex Trauma?

[@aletheiarose9586]

@@deicide666100 oh well then what do you think the solution is? and have you done anything to actually help?

[@jerrodbroholm4338]

"Be more social" "Eat better" "Spend more time outside" All things that would be great if I didn't have anxiety and you know, actually have to work. It's hard to take advice like this from people that are in substantially better economic situations.

[@AlishaRoseWilson]

Yep. She speaks from a place of privelage and dismissive, as if we haven't heard these things a million times from people without true clinical depression.

[@vsgeneal6248]

Depression has peaks and valleys. When one is really low, one avoids these things. When one is climbing, these things are helpful. I think these speakers are talking about different parts of the cycle. Hang in there.

[@ivansuarez7368]

I think that consciously you can create these habits as a part of your life. Big part of trascending depression is being awared when and why you are depressed, even if causes are material conditions. As a person with some symptons of depression several years, I discovered that I reduced these symptons when I decided take actions before the bad thoughts appear, well is also important that you want to overcome that situation.

[@TheSpecialJ11]

I highly recommend meditating for 15-20 minutes a day. Start small and work your way up to this amount of time so you don't get discouraged. Importantly, try mindfulness meditation, which is different from the "clearing the mind" stereotype and more about "observing the mind". Instead of looking at memes during the 15 minute break you get in a day, just sit still and observe your immediate thoughts and sensations. I am a skeptical, cynical, scientifically minded person who originally dismissed meditation as some spiritual hogwash, but I tried it and at least psychologically it feels like I'm calibrating my mind. There's early scientific research that shows in an oversimplified sense, that's exactly what's happening. And the best part is it's so free, no one can take it away from you. Prisoners in solitary confinement can meditate. I understand why it's hard to eat right, exercise more, get more time in nature and sunlight, when you're depressed and overworked. I've been there. I was almost not here. But meditation is something anyone can do. It's something probably everyone should do. It will not be a cure all to your problems, but it leaves your brain every day a little better equipped to deal with the problems. Getting a little better every day is the only way to pull yourself out of depression, in my experience.

[@azraelbryson5046]

Anxiety involves a different pathway in the brain, so you have to treat it congruent with the depression. None of these will help everything.

[@chrisblake2586]

"It's like your old personality slowly leaves town and you're left with a block of cement, which is you". That's the most accurate description I've ever heard about depression!

[@brendaprice665]

Yes I agree. I usually feel like a dead lump that breathes, slightly. I'm unable to stand up, caught under a shelf in the dark. Whatever it is, I am unable to come out of it until it's ready to go.

[@chrisblake2586]

@@brendaprice665 I've been on meds for depression for nearly 20 years and I feel like I'm living in autopilot. My mind is blank unless I have a task to do or something to deal with. I feel like a robot.

[@organicleaf]

@@chrisblake2586 thats the issue with antidepressents, a mate who gets them said you just start not carring about *anything*, which is why i first declined.. but lately im just falling deeper and deeper once more

[@joannenascimento9213]

, but its not going ​@@brendaprice665

[@YiannisANO1911]

You know how a zombie is a body that is dead but alive? Depression is being alive but dead.

[@teresa9419]

Yes!

[@hansfrankfurter2903]

Pretty good description

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

Yeah it does feel that way exactly. Depression is an illness that has many physiological effects on the body not just emotional. You feel as you said, like a zombie, your body feels heavy and everything is tiring and a huge effort just to move around with clinical depression. It's no wonder so many depressed people are also alcoholics or drug addicts, they self-medicate to overcome that feeling and feel normal.

[@deicide666100]

Not for everyone, depression is much more complex than a generalized multitude of common symptoms, it can be anger/rage or the well known version of not being able to do anything that you need to or should

[@uvwuvw-ol3fg]

What about depressive realism? Seems like inherent optimism bias and terror management theory will always help regardless of ideologies such as antinatalism based on consent.

[@matiasreyes8043]

Depression is also common in Norway, just for other reasons. Lack of social interaction and lack of sunlight

[@waedjradi]

That's an enormous fact.

[@hansfrankfurter2903]

Is that true?

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

@@hansfrankfurter2903 It sure is. There's a direct relation between sunlight and what is now called Seasonal Anxiety Disorder (and depression often). Many people get this in the UK too, if you suffer with anxiety and depression a lot you find it's not so bad in summer but worse in winter. Some studies have shown that exposure to UV lamps during periods of no sunshine can help with this. Maybe Vitamin D plays some role in depression as we need sunlight exposure to make that.

[@deicide666100]

Alaska and several Canadian provinces are exactly the same way, also because if the rainy climate both England and parts of the northwestern United States see higher depression and suicide rates

[@reanetsemoleleki8219]

Apparently Finland is considered the happiest country on earth. I figured Norway would be similar.

[@4gui429]

The first thing I lose in depression is my mind. When you hear someone say do this do it always comes from someone who is still in control of the mind and I depressed I don't have that faculty.

[@bentleymayes1579]

True, when you're in your lowest point its very hard to take any action, but it's good to remember that there is a goal and things can be done to make us feel better. If you know what they are, it can help to break things down smaller and smaller. It's very hard to do 10 minutes of exercise as a beginner everyday even if you're not depressed, but 20 seconds is something that can be managed. Tiny little wins can help make tremendous impact. A book called Tiny Habits explores this idea, worth reading if you can.

[@kashmiraraghu1822]

The very nature of depression seems to be a feeling of a loss of control. There is you wanting to dig yourself out of it but feeling like the ground is slipping away beneath your feet. Its important to recognise that that isnt the case. And find something within your control. For most people its something as simple as the act of breathing. Reigning in the breath, following it, leading it, can give you power over mind. But again, when someone is deep in it, its understandable that this advice can't be seen. However, those periods come and go, and its important that when you come up for air, you learn to generate this awareness of yourself and your breath. It truly is something you can tap into in your darkest moments

[@jgaffney567]

The fact that people have no understanding of this is very tough. You are expected to make choices and live yet you can't even think sometimes. People have no idea.

[@ohthelovelypoems]

@@kashmiraraghu1822 Are you speaking from personal experience with clinical depression?

[@maricamaas2326]

@@kashmiraraghu1822 If I remember correctly: Wim Hof was very depressed, after his wife's passing... Now he teaches controlled breathing and cold therapy to the world.

[@carolecarolas]

Maybe when mildly depressed (as by a situation) what he says is right. But when clinically depressed, no amount of exercise, socializing etc. helps. My life is pleasant, but when I go off my meds, suddenly everything becomes dark and I can't stop crying. My mind spins with thoughts that after getting back on meds I realize were nonsense.

[@maricamaas2326]

Have you tried fasting?

[@maricamaas2326]

SCIENCE OF FASTING documentary for example relates how depression can be alleviated through fasting. There also is the GAPS diet of Natasha C.McBride, or going Carnivor (like Mikhaila Peterson did)? Better to try not being on psychiatric meds... Have you listened yet to Peter Breggin discussing how they destroy one's brain?

[@argusfleibeit1165]

@@maricamaas2326 No, I've known too many people who refused to try or stay on psychiatric drugs who destroyed themselves with suicide. I have survived a life of depression and anxiety because I stayed on my medication.

[@Sisterlisk]

Did you taper off slowly enough? Even with the correct taper, there is an adjustment period, I'm sure. Just like when starting the medication that first time.

[@oo0OAO0oo]

Fasting is good, but dangerous with depression. Also fasting doesn't mean that you should "fast" your medication too. That's a big no-no. There a good ingredients, people are coming up with, but you also need to know how to cook. Like the other comment already says - it can be very dangerous to giving good advice on the wrong cases. Even more so, if it's partially incorrect. It becomes a bad advice. It becomes lethal. Don't throw things like that through the room. There is a reason, why therapists exist.

[@bsways]

I’ve suffered from dysthymia for decades now and this rings very true. I have kind of just given up. I just do enough now to maintain my life. Work just enough to eat and pay bills but no point striving for anything. It started way back in childhood for me. Bullying was the beginning of being made to feel less than and pushed down. I’ve never really recovered from it and have not been able to afford therapy at $180/hour. I exercise and meditate daily and get sunlight which helps.

[@Veej77]

Damn. That kinda explains part of my life outlook too. I have had depression from a young age and have just carried on holding myself up daily but not really having the get-go attitude. At 40, I discovered spiritual meditation which has given me some direction and helped me massively after a kundalini awakening. Meditation should be taught in schools.

[@Thatsinteresting363]

Me too. I’m sorry it’s your experience as well.

[@Veej77]

@@Thatsinteresting363 The Yogis say it's best to live a simple life with minimum drama. This will cease any unnecessary expectations but also cease any new Karma. Not all of us are here in chains to fullfill a bad karma but the ones that are lost are more free than others. Peace out!

[@tracesprite6078]

I feel upset to think that you were badly bullied. I hope that you can respect your indignation about that bullying and that you discover ways that you can enjoy your life.

[@athensmajnoo3661]

B Sway:::: stay blessed,.... God is with you 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@sara_mlm152]

Thank you Pete Holmes for recognising you can't just "fix" depression and how important it is to just support the person who is struggling. And yes, emotions are transcendent.

[@SaleemRanaAuthor]

Everyone was great, but Pete Holmes delivered the message I really needed to hear. It's hard to be depressed when you're noticing yourself being depressed, observing your depressing thoughts collapses the quantum wave of seriousness necessary to sustain your depression.

[@WorkerBeesUnite]

U said it. He puts it so well..even more accessible than ram dass puts it. He makes it even easier to understand and feel

[@patrikkondor5215]

"...observing your depressing thoughts collapses the quantum wave of seriousness necessary to sustain your depression." Never use that expression in that context again please. Never. Please.

[@mystick93]

Sounds like a load of steaming BS. When you lack serotonin you can't fake your way to happiness just like you can't fake your way through calculus without a frontal lobe.

[@5hydroxyT]

ironic that the guy without the medical degree, without the title of therapist or neuroscientist gets it so well...his explanation was very articulate and somehow joyful

[@WorkerBeesUnite]

@@5hydroxyT it rly is hard, once u listen to ram dass, to look at life as ignorantly again

[@karyl-annroehl5084]

My onset of depression was at age 15. I was age 42 when someone asked, "Have you had your thyroid checked?" No one had ever suggested that to me before. Once hypothyroidism was diagnosed and treated, the depression was minimalized.

[@maricamaas2326]

Wow, so simple... Are you on chronic medication?

[@tatianahawaii13]

Hugs

[@ThePathOfLeastResistanc]

Well I’ve had mine checked multiple times and it’s fine but I’m still depressed

[@ems7623]

Your doctors really failed you. It is considered standard practice for a psychiatrist to check the thyroid first in patient who present with depression to rule that out. I honestly do not understand how none of your doctors did that between the ages of 15 and 42.

[@karyl-annroehl5084]

@@ems7623 I have talked with numerous people who suffer from depression. I have yet to find someone who was asked to have their thyroid checked! They say 1/3 of our population suffers from depression and my guess is a lot of it could be thyroid related!

[@00dfm00]

How you view your place in society is VERY real. It's a major part of depression. The first guy nailed it. The last two offered semi-realistic therapy. Therapy through drugs (eg HRT) and counseling can at least get you out of the depths and get you thinking a bit more straight. But it still doesn't address the underlying issues sometimes. Especially if your careers have caved due to politics or corruption (oil/gas, housing market) and your skills are no longer valued and you have to flip burgers in your 40s without getting the chance to have children or save for retirement.

[@ilovebanks1526]

The problem is wealth inequality... and all of those modern-day serfs who defend the fact 1% of the population controls 50% of OUR wealth. It belongs to all of us. Not even in a communist sense. We are being stolen from. Point blank and period.

[@cvlart8077]

Totally agree! One's 'place' in the world is extremely important.

[@billgates-qi9st]

Spot on

[@SuzanneU]

My place in the world has never been an issue for me. My experience of depression has been that it is often totally unrelated to events in my life, my social status, etc. It comes on like flu! In my case, serotonin had nothing to do with it. My dysfunction is in my dopamine regulation. Wellbutrin opened a whole world I had never dreamed of! I still have depressive episodes but they are much less frequent, much lighter, and much shorter.

[@2002daverj]

None of them nailed it. Not even close. Major depression is nothing to do with how we are feeling about ourselves or life. It's a serious deadly health disorder arising when our brain becomes overloaded with anxiety. Read my book, it's the only correct explanation out there.

[@MlSS.S]

I think for most people who suffer from depression, it is not CAUSED by a chemical imbalance. Rather, it is something that HAPPENS in their early life that actually CAUSES a visceral physiological reaction in the body and brain, causing the brain to malfunction. Basically, it's trauma that causes the chemical imbalance. No different than if you crash a car. It would never be able to function and drive properly. It will constantly have issues and probably won't even be functional at all! Now let's talk about trauma and how we define it. More often than not, when we think of someone suffering from trauma, things like rape, war and abuse come to mind. Well those are not the ONLY forms that trauma can take. To a toddler whose emotional needs are neglected, which causes them not to feel safe in the world, that is trauma! To a child of a single mother who constantly belittles her and makes her feel like her existence is a burden, that is trauma! To a child who is screamed at and hit for any every little thing they do and lives in constant fear of their parents, that is trauma! These children continue on to become depressed teenagers and adults because their trauma caused permanent changes in their brain. Then they seek help later in life and are told that their depression is caused by a chemical imbalance and are given a prescription for pills and are advised to go take a jog every day. WTF? That's not a freaking solution and it does not address the issue, or rather, the cause of the issue. I also think there are a lot of LAZY therapists out there who will sit down and listen to you for an hour every week and take your money, all the while, they do not have the slightest clue on how to truly help you! I also think that as far as life in the US is concerned, more so than stress and economic status, loneliness is one of the leading causes of depression. This is an incredibly individualistic society and is becoming increasingly so!

[@krissyk9767]

Yes I agree. Things happen to us in life that can cause us to be depressed. I doubt most people are depressed for no reason. Life itself is depressing

[@lleeaanee]

Yes!

[@nandakishore588]

u say "These children continue on to become depressed teenagers and adults because their trauma caused permanent changes in their brain" . then how do u explain the fact that many happy & successful people actually came from terribly abusive/neglected backgrounds ? its not just celebrities, there are enough examples in nearly every profession about how they overcame their trauma & went on to live happy lives. your past or childhood need not dictate your future, although it plays an important role.

[@MlSS.S]

@@nandakishore588 The answer to that is a very simple one - EVERYONE DOES NOT HANDLE TRAUMA THE SAME. It's no different than two pregnant women who both smoked and parted hard throughout their pregnancies, yet one baby comes out perfectly fine and the other comes out with serious birth defects. No different than two 30 year olds who religiously ate junk food and did not get regular exercise, yet one becomes obese and develops diabeetis, while the other remains thin and in pretty good health. As for these celebrities who have been vocal about their childhood trauma, as well as the "happy successful people" that you speak of, most of them may APPEAR to be happy and have it all together, meanwhile, they are suffering and struggling IMMENSELY behind closed doors. Do not be fooled. Many people who suffer from depression go to work everyday well put together, with a cheerful demeanor and perform above par, but are falling apart on the inside. This fact becomes even more apparent when we see it come full circle with celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kurt Cobain,, Robin Williams, River Phoenix, Anthony Bourdain, Phyllis Hyman, Naomi Judd. . . . I could go on and on! You get my point.

[@MlSS.S]

@@nandakishore588 I would also like to add that mental illness is ONLY ONE OF the ways in which trauma affect the body. Childhood trauma can also manifest as chronic illness or disease in the bodies, such as in the case of a young, fit healthy man in his twenties who starts suffering from heart disease, or an otherwise healthy teenage girl who starts suffering from an autoimmune disease with no clear cause or explanation. There was actually a book that a friend had loaned me some years ago about the connection between our emotions as it relates to disease in the body. It was very eye-opening for me. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that all disease is caused by trauma and our emotions, rather it is one of the ways in which trauma manifests itself in our lives.

[@claudiaramirez7346]

What Pete Holmes says is so true, when you're depressed you can't see a way out. It was so kind to give an advice after acknowledging of how hard depression is.

[@soonny002]

Look, I've been treating people with depression/anxiety for many years, and I've developed enough humility to understand that successful treatment is almost like a miracle. And let me tell you what that miracle is: The successful treatment and prevention of depression is about wanting to seek help in the first place, it's about not forgetting to take your medications, it's about wanting to do better by yourself and for others, it's about having a routine to your days, it's about eating and sleeping well, it's about regular exercise, it's about your diet, it's about your relationships, it's about your spirituality, it's about your personality, it's about your tenacity to never let depression take control over you, it's about your social standing and having access to resources, it's about managing chronic stress, it's about all these things and so much more... But all of these are complete BULLSHIT if the miracle doesn't happen to you. I call it a miracle because I have absolutely NO IDEA how it happens or why it happens, but it does, and it seems to be random. The miracle is about you even WANTING to do all those things to begin with - and I have no idea how to make you do it. Some people just seem to want to do it and never give up, while others are just so defeated by their depression they don't see a point in doing anything mentioned. Saying that YOU can do these things to treat your depression is quite arrogant and an underestimation of how bad depression can be sometimes. Sometimes, YOU can't do anything, sometimes, others will have to do it for you. But when YOU can do it, that's a real miracle right there, it's magic.

[@zey1966]

Finally someone gets it.

[@attheranch873]

YES!!!! THIS is true.

[@DMillerFlorida]

It's hormones. Simple as that. Go to a hormone specialist, a very good one. It's why teens are suicidal. It's why stress creates suicide. The hormones are out of balance. All of that good fun stuff in your body is churning and twisting and it's a big machine. And when you eat foods and walk into stress and have no relationships and too much anger surrounding you or chemicals entering your system.... Your hormones create your mood. Because your mood and all of that low energy is very simple. It's telling you to change what you're doing. It's no miracle if you understand it.

[@Hoclem]

I was severely depressed for about 10 years, experiencing depersonalization/derealization and not understanding why. Cut off my emotions and memories from my awareness, gone. Eventually, after struggling for all those years, I came upon a video that said "everything everyone has ever said about you is an opinion." And in that moment I felt something in my brain shift. Soon after, memories came trickling back in with painful feelings. I had a ton of childhood trauma that I didn't remember. And nothing like sexual abuse- mostly emotional abuse and neglect. The kind that you don't even think is trauma until you learn about it. I had felt so defeated my whole life- like I couldn't handle anything, I was doomed to fail. This was my narrative. That quote from that video dislodged something that made me question a lifetime of negative interactions from family and peers. What they think doesn't define me- I do. Shame contributed heavily to this, as I had trouble trusting or believing in my ability to function. Thanks to neuroplasticity, I'm feeling much better and learning more about my true self every day! There is hope, you just can't see it when you're in the thick of it. When your story is "nothing ever works out for me", it becomes your reality. And an inspirational quote won't change that- you have to find a way to change your beliefs. And that's different for everyone. For me, it was learning the science of psychology like Ruby. Then at a certain point I surprisingly found spirituality, which I believe is also integral to the human experience. I still have old feelings coming up, but now at 32 I've finally learned how to process them instead of directly identifying them as truth.

[@cyn2480]

It is a miracle. It's discovering the joy of God, then doing what you need to do physically, medically, etc

[@DonnaTheDogGroomer]

From time to time, I have to have a shut down. I get so overwhelmed and today, I gave myself permission to do absolutely nothing. I even told someone no. I took care of me and I am feeling better. I kind of had that feeling of “observing my depression and allowing myself to sit with it, without beating myself up over it “. Could I possibly be developing compassion for myself? I’ve been working on loving myself better.

[@DozieVictory]

psychedelic treatment has proven to be effective in treating depression, it has helped me and thanks to the handle 👆above they’re reliable.

[@fletchy88]

Sounds like it to me... But it's not really about, oh let me ask someone on KZbin if I'm "doing it right" ... Just keep doing it.. And see if it works... Believe it will work for a start.. then see what happens in your "experiment" of learning self compassion

[@tracesprite6078]

I hope that you do develop compassion for yourself. I'd like to think you'd keep a diary and write down one kind thing that you do for yourself each day.

[@haraldessert]

- So what are the results of the research with baboons? - We found that they're the most stressed out when they're being approached by people armed with tranquilizer guns

[@maanavsikaria189]

But jokes aside did they have any sort of control group where they could somehow test the effects of being tranquilized on seratonin levels?

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

When monkey's and primates are stressed they do a fear grin which many people mistake for happy or playful but showing teeth and lip furled back is a sign a monkey or primate is very stressed. That's the opposite to human behaviour.

[@haraldessert]

@@maanavsikaria189 I'm no expert, but I think you're correct. They should have, right? Specially when they're trying to figure out how their subjects feel.

[@mrfluffers5927]

This comment is so underrated 😂😂😂

[@alexandrapirvu7945]

@@paullangton-rogers2390 i'm one of the people that laughs nervously when stressed, even when it's seen as unappropriate, but i don't laugh for fun, it's how i cope... so maybe this characteristic was transmitted to humans

[@lisaeischens2352]

Just having healthcare provided as a human right would greatly improve my level of anxiety.

[@iohio8677]

THIS !!

[@maricamaas2326]

Beware: Looking into, being subjected to, and challenging modern day healthcare, can be dangerous! After a number of negative encounters, just the thought of being subjected to it, causes me to want to run. To realize that its not going to change soon (in spite of how much damage it is causing), is enough to make one feel really depressed.

[@JustMe-ob3nw]

I agree

[@willieboy8798]

i am assuming the uSA here..... health care could be provided if Americans would stop smoking, drinking, drugging and eat right and get thier sleep! im NOT saying you do...the vast majority do to some degree.....if Americans behaved more healthy it could be provided at ridiculous low rates. but the general life style prohibits it in costing!

[@yolanankaine6063]

This recommendation is suspiciously coincidental .

[@scientistsbaffled5730]

Ooohh getting those sympathy internet points...hat on

[@sanjujohnson5523]

True

[@mayurkrip]

Always is for a percentage of population.

[@RetNemmoc555]

The algorithm knows. Muwahahaha!

[@leoelliondeux]

we're in this together!

[@gojiberry7201]

I have had severe depression and anxiety since childhood, stemming from family genetics and childhood abuse. But it's hard to make positive changes in life when I can't make a living wage (figuring in health care costs), even after getting a degree. Many people simply can't get ahead. It's harder when media and culture say that essentially you're not successful unless you own a house and make a ton of money. I watched the Big Think's video about why so many people work a bullshit job, and I thought that the part about "infinite needs" was profound, really shook my point of view. I'm finding a lot of great videos on this channel, thank you!

[@AmandaHugandKiss411]

Would you tell me were I can find the literature or video mentioned in your comment? Thank you for sharing your experience, it is very insightful.

[@johnterry6541]

The guy who talked about getting into the states of witnessing your thoughts has the ultimate solution. He gets the inside out solution. This is a life long self experiential phenomenon and is therefore hard to understand from others like him even when it is eloquently explained. The rest of the explanations are outside in solutions.

[@ilovebanks1526]

Depression doesn't mean you're faulty... Your brain is working the way it should be. We live in cities and societies that make us feel this way. Our surroundings are the problem. It's why I hate optimism. It's a bandage hiding the real wounds we have, ignoring them as we all clearly see a gradual decline happening right before us.

[@Microphunktv-jb3kj]

depression is def the outcome of enviorement change your enviorement, change your life

[@princess555o4]

Hating optimism isnt the way though.. we need to be optimistic to live. Pessimism actually leads to the grave

[@ilovebanks1526]

@@princess555o4 Optimism is a modern-day cult. The easy way out. How can you ignore the way everything is in favor of a fantasy world in your head? More people need to see how bad things are before we can decide to improve the world. Optimism is a band aid over a gangrenous wound you are trying to ignore. You don't need to be depressed, angry, or awful to abandon optimism. You can be happy. But be real and be honest.

[@vivekraghuram2459]

One noteworthy dimension of our current social lives that might contribute towards such widespread depression is competitiveness. We don't live in collaborative societies anymore but in competitive ones. Sure, people help each other in small ways, no doubt, but the underlying theme of our socio-economic existence is competition. Right from school, we are taught to perform better than others. We're expected to have a higher salary than others to merit approval from our peers, families, and friends. We're encouraged to display and therefore possess more wealth than the neighbors. "It's a dog-eat-dog world out there" is treated as a religious truth. In essence, we are taught from our very childhoods that we've got to fight. But no one teaches us or offers us co-operation or collaboration. If human beings are social animals, then collaboration should be at the root of our social interactions. Have you ever seen a troop of chimpanzees where each chimp is supposed to look after its own needs? No, the troop as a whole functions as a unit. This does not mean that chimp troops are a utopian model of society. But it does mean that so long as competition (inspired by the industrialized economy) is an element of our social lives, we are bound to face such epidemics of mental health. Social distancing was being practiced long before the pandemic hit. We were and still are socially distanced islands fighting for God knows what. Competition is helpful but constant competition is stressful.

[@billgates-qi9st]

Right. We need to turn our backs on where our rulers are leading us and form a co-operative society.

[@non6129]

I agree

[@beckyvanbell849]

The roots of depression are always in childhood, with very few exceptions. Always goes back to childhood stress, when we learned everything and some of us had nothing we could do about major threats to our well-being .

[@HistoryShell1786]

Being an atheistic nihilist starting from 8 years old, is what caused mine. And I’m 15 now…. Falling deeper and deeper

[@australien6611]

Agreed

[@australien6611]

@@HistoryShell1786 you can be a happy atheist, just need something else to love and believe. Something real , like music or art or helping others. Be easy on yourself, life is hard, try to smile and good luck! 😎

[@HistoryShell1786]

@@australien6611 I believe in love. It’s my drive. Many look forward to heaven, I look forward to finding a beautiful woman to live my life with later on. That’s what’s keeping me going.

[@australien6611]

@@HistoryShell1786 all the best with your quest my friend 👍 look for someone beautiful on inside too for lasting love 👌

[@badgersalesman5595]

I have struggled with depression my whole life. The reason is I was an abused child ( by my mother ) and also abandoned by both my parents at a time when I needed them and haven’t seen them in 25 years. I can never go home or feel safe again. I am now the safe one for my children but still frightened myself. I’m a hard worker and loving. However I am a terrible functioning alcoholic.

[@ChickpeatheTortie]

Well said Johann that is 'exactly' how I feel. I find the man-made world an extremely unpleasant place and just cannot adapt myself to it - never have been able to and never will.

[@majdavojnikovic]

Do you have any ideas of alternative ways? I am not happy with it also.

[@nka82]

@@majdavojnikovic go live in the wilderness?

[@lillium4139]

I too am having a very hard time trying to just........well I guess live. I feel so out of balance with everyone and everything around me. I've tried for years to just blend in but I'm sick of it and to be honest am not very good at it. I feel like I was born at the wrong time in the wrong place and will never find some sort of balance.

[@cassandra2249]

Agreed, wish I had died sooner.

[@heronimousbrapson863]

@@nka82 Living in the wilderness (if you can find any) is a skill which must be taught. People brought up in a modern society would not survive.

[@shenani9an5]

Thank you. My life became so much better when I starting giving attention to what I give my attention. Moving my body, radical honesty, and clean eating and sleeping keep me from wrecking, mostly.

[@bigthink]

Glad to hear and thank you! If you like, you can fill out our Google Form at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZdQb0Rb-_UO4txWxjVQD5bISKMFGt90CFeyeFvPw-92McBg/viewform?usp=sf_link and we'll send you a thank-you gift!

[@djsandy303]

Pete holmes talked about some teaching by ram dass that i really appreciate. Resting in awareness helps me a lot. Observing pain rather that being pain. I forget this important teaching a lot but it feels good to remember it.

[@krullntherakrore742]

It is simple to end depression. First move to a small town near the countryside, a beautiful place where you can exercise running with your dog looking at the magnificent icy mountains on the horizon along the lakes mirroring the blue sky. Eat well, eat fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, chestnuts (picked from the forests around your small country palace), don't forget cereal of all kinds. In the relationship try to talk more with your wife the famous actress Scarlett Johansson, do exercises together and exciting games (if you are a woman do the same with your husband the actor Henry Cavill, or if you have other non-binary preferences choose someone of the level , you got the idea). To go to work avoid the car, go with a drone so you avoid traffic, look for a type of work that requires a maximum of 3 hours of effort per day but that maximizes your value as the cheerful and creative person you are! The depression disappears and never comes back!

[@April_flowers483]

Sign me up

[@harshitakumar4682]

This is an underrated comment

[@ohthelovelypoems]

Sure sounds like it might help at least.

[@JeffaHensley]

Pretty flippant,…. Sure, everyone can easily make these changes in their life,…. One size really does fit all,…. ?

[@MlSS.S]

There is a lot of Truth to what you say. All we have to do is look at how some other cultures live.

[@sandy02]

To anyone who's watching this and are not feeling so well. You'll get there. It'll be okay. One step at a time. YOU WILL GET BETTER FOR SURE ❤️

[@JustinMorrison]

This is a great message Sandeep, you have so much compassion. I like to tell people they 'can' get better rather than they 'will' get better. It's sad, but some people never do get better. All we can do is encourage hope. I love that you are out in the world doing that. Kudos, my friend! 🙌🏻

[@organicleaf]

"one step at a time" aka walking in circles and never getting anywhere

[@dlewis8405]

The section about nutrition is spot on. I don't know how many depressed people will be able to afford to eat lots of seafood though. A diet with more fresh vegetables is attainable for most people.

[@anarpmendes]

&&& gardening is therapeutic. So if you manage to have a bit of land or some pots in a balcony, you ca produce tomatoes, basil, coliander, etc

[@gball8466]

Diet is important but don't get too hung up on adhering to the 'perfect' diet. Go for the low hanging fruit: get rid of the trash and replace it with real food. Don't worry so much about the exact ingredient. Eat vegetables, nuts, beans, grains, meat, cheese. Seafood/chicken/beef/pork/lamb is better than a hot dog. Roast potatoes/wholegrain bread/broccoli/mushrooms/pinto beans/etc is better than white bread/french fries/ding dongs/cake/sugary drinks/deep fried stuff. Just move towards real food and away from sugar and processed junk.

[@nanaValente]

I don't have much access to seafood where I live but I feel taking a good fish oil supplement makes a huge difference to my mental health

[@vaunniethayer1484]

Until this past year I thought I knew what depression was. How many times would I say I felt depressed when actually I might be sad, angry, disappointed, grieving. This past year I found out that’s not it at all. I also found out why it is so difficult to deal with. For a person who was often told, your too sensitive, you care too much etc, basically an empath introvert, depression was truly a revelation. I felt nothing. I did not care. I had no desire to do anything, see anyone. If it hadn’t been for my dog I don’t think I would have ever gotten out of bed. Taking care of her forced me to keep going. I’m gradually getting better, however it’s taking much longer than I thought it would. How often are people critical of the depressed saying things like you just need to do this or that and you’ll feel better. True, but guess what that’s the problem I have no motivation with which to get better.

[@fractalco.creative5796]

My understanding is depression is a result of lack of expression. In the sense that no being able to express yourself authentically causes you to become depressed. And all the things preventing your from expressing yourself are the obstacles and challenges that you yourself must overcome to return to your true expression. Whether Society, Ego or lack of a Spiritual connection to Life outside yourself and more importantly the life inside you, your Soul. I have had down days and I know why at the times I was in situations that were suffocating my freedom of self expression in how I wanted to live my life. And after some good inspirational Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan clips, I was motivated to get my life in order simply starting with my immediate space, the "Clean up your Room" Meme really was a start for me. From there on out I was able to put my life into what order I could and express myself more authentically. Now I have barely any down days as a result of myself, From training, creating, eating well and spiritual practices like daily meditation and breathe work I am thriving forward and creating my reality, expressing myself more and more each day. Now I know so may read this and be like yeah what ever it doesn't work for me and perhaps it doesn't but perhaps I can offer you this, Identifying with being depress will create the mindset of being depressed more easily. It is the daily consistent routines we build in our lives that stack up in experiences to who we are right now in every moment that will either depress yourself or express yourself. To be your own Champion is truly a task with rewards to match.

[@billgates-qi9st]

This rings true. When I manage to Express myself well, verbally or musically, I feel great release and a sense of well being and wholeness.

[@meganw9380]

i think you’ve nailed it. i’m realizing the same things and i’m on the climb up. and i think jordan peterson has a lot to do with it 😊

[@fractalco.creative5796]

@@meganw9380 yeah Jordan Peterson helped me out alot. Simply cleaning up my room for a start and maintaining it lead to many positive expressive changes in my life and attitude. 😁

[@rordog236]

I really like how Pete Holmes suggested seeing your depression as separate from yourself. I’ve used mindfulness in the past to deal with depressive and anxious thoughts but never perceived it in that way.

[@seipher_8334]

I have been diagnosed with MDD and CPTSD and it always makes me laugh when a doctor comes on here and is like "oh there's alot of things you can do without medication" like be social sleep more and a better diet not realizing or knowing what it's like to raise 3 kids working 65+ hrs. A week NORMALLY so your children don't have to grow up in a shit hole ghetto like I did! The problem is this fucking country constantly destroying and fucking over the middle class! When 10 people sitting in a room collectively have more wealth than 90% of the fucking country THATS THE FUCKING PROBLEM!!!! WAKE THE FUCK UP PEOPLE!!!

[@IndigoBellyDance]

Yes, u nailed the problem I agree. Our world needs to recognize people deserve a happy life.

[@Maelu-op9gf]

Our country is circling the drain and about to go down it. Our government is trying to destroy the middle class for sure

[@liammurphy2725]

@@IndigoBellyDance Deserved or not we have to work for it.

[@Despotic_Waffle]

Society doesn't owe you nor anyone shit. Humans got together to increase their survival rates. This just snowballed over hundreds of thousands of years. If a civilization fails, it fails, but unequal civilizations are still as valid as equal ones. Just when it's too bad that people revolt and it crumbles is when it fails.

[@edie4321]

I absolutely agree as someone who has existed similarly.

[@ALA87]

magic mushrooms really are therapeutic. Ive had a couple of trips recently and I can feel how it cleaned out a good amount of the crap in my mind, for example just the inward self centered type thinking and how it just goes in endless circles in on itself. It really feels like it help bring clarity to my minds eye and helped me face a lot of the crap that has been bugging me for a long time.

[@matthewehritz3544]

Thank you for sharing, i'm considering mushrooms for therapeutic purposes myself. Did you have any difficult moments during your trips?

[@RG-of1fd]

About ten years ago I took Ayahuasca and it was equivalent to about ten years worth of of psychotherapy. It was like a paintbrush going over me and making me brand new. The last five years have been rough on me . But with age I'm learning to regulate my emotions more incisively.

[@nuppyup]

Micro-dose is best way to start. Crucial to have a trusted friend who is experienced be your "trip leader". Be in nature with a ritual attitude of respect & gratitude for the mushroom.

[@TheSpecialJ11]

@@matthewehritz3544 The difficult moments are often the most healing. You won't always have them, but if you do shrooms enough times you will. I recommend microdosing to start and picking up meditation. Then when you try larger doses, remember what you learned microdosing and meditating in case you encounter challenges.

[@matthewehritz3544]

@@TheSpecialJ11 Brilliant advice, thank you so much. Thankfully i have some experience with shrooms. But... these 3-5 times were for recreation... with one dear friend more experienced than i... we're both musicians so each time we had instruments to play and loudspeakers to listen... and i've also been on antidepressant for so many years it's embarrassing, and i wonder if the antidepressant blunted some of the effects of the shrooms, because out of all those experiences, only once did i genuinely trip. Been recently diagnosed ASD, and deprssion is common in autism... Now looking at possibly using shrooms or other psychedelics to help bring relief. So once again, thank you, i'll be following that advice

[@MelissaR784]

It does seem like many who have suffered themselves, go into the profession of psychology. It's true that the more you understand what's happening in your brain, the better you are at coping with it.

[@faysmith7248]

Yes. It's a form of giving up. Worded perfectly. Most people still think it's a chemical imbalance. It's other things. Gabor mate is good at explaining it too

[@janicenakonechny3674]

he is awesome. He brought ayahuasca to Canada.

[@MikeBurke]

If you're reading this, you are wonderfully unique and entitled to be alive. Like so many of us, I have also felt that crushing weight of depression where even getting up off the couch seems to take Herculean strength. If you're feeling that right now, I want you to envision yourself drawing strength from the millions of us who have the audacity to stand up under such overwhelming weight. If you're in a powerful moment right now, I want you to envision yourself giving some of your strength to someone who needs it right now. We can overcome depression by supporting each other and having compassion for each other & ourselves. You are loved, you are valuable, you are special - just for being you. Show yourself the respect you deserve. ♥️

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

Such a nice post Mike, thanks :-)

[@20sandi12]

Thanks sincerely, Mike.

[@maricamaas2326]

So touching...Thank you. Yes, indeed: By going through an ordeal ourselves, we gain compassion and understanding for what others are going through. One way to encourage others, is by overcoming the enemy through the word of our testimony.

[@Cardstock1321]

Sharing this on National single awareness day/ Valentine’s Day…. Great timing

[@deborahlincoln-strange622]

lol

[@medina4600]

😂

[@joshuataylor3550]

Married people are depressed too

[@plewis1239]

@@joshuataylor3550 especially during covid lockdown

[@innertubez]

Loool

[@doylesaylor]

Mentioning circular thinking is useful to share with others. Going down means to me an awareness in the moment of intensifying symptoms. Twenty minutes of activity like a walk and perhaps talking with someone during the walk feels like the going down sensation plateaus. Going down follows anger. Separation from someone feels like the beginning of going down. It helps to know how someone experiences their depression so that we know to do something. Depression has a quality of not responding to solutions. So I might say I will lie down and tomorrow I’ll be better, but the down feeling (intensifying symptoms) comes right back. If the sadness lasts more than two weeks is a serious sign of depression and needs to be addressed sooner than later because it becomes more difficult to pull out of.

[@DanG-xl5op]

One of Dr. Sapolsky's books (Why zebras don't get ulcers) was my text book for environmental physiology. His study of the stress hormones is what makes his work amazing and interesting. To correlate diet so strongly w/out acknowledging the chronic acute stress from poverty alone (aka being a perpetual "have not") is a complete misunderstanding of his work and why it's so amazing. If you can afford such novelties like a strict expensive diet like fresh fish, fresh nuts, fresh oat, fresh grains, fresh etc then you're not someone who is likely chronically exposed to acute stress in life. Dr. Sapolsky's research literally gives understanding to why sometimes the morbidly obese person lives significantly longer than the the super in shape bicyclists that dies early from a heart attack when genetically neither makes sense. To give the discussion about diets such credence in the same space of chronic acute stress is to praise ancedotal evidence as superior science and hold as gospel at best a correlatetion of data with no statistically relevant causation

[@esstee9595]

The thing about depression is it never goes away. There are periods of relief and periods of relentlessness. But it never goes away. No cure. Just treatment. Good days. Bad days. The depressed person can develop skills, thinking skills, and make lifesstyle changes to a point to help manage him/her from "depressing" themselves. Realising feelings are not reality helps. But there also comes a point when concerned others, can't listen anymore. Have had enough of the other person's depression. That's why all people who live with depression need to become their own best support, and that takes tme and effort.

[@AlicePDaly]

That's just not true.

[@esstee9595]

@@AlicePDaly For "real" clinical depression and dysthymia, yes, it is true. Periods of relief punctuate the continual depressed condition/mood. For situational depression, yes, it can go away. Medication does no better than placibo but causes side effects. There is no cure, only dealing with it/managing it. Anybody with "real" depresssion, as in the actual mental illness, will say the same. Anybody who gets better, was situationallly depressed, not clinically. This I can say from 68 years of personal experience, and 30 years working in social services with clinicaly depressed people. If your depression got better, it was not clinical.

[@AlicePDaly]

@@esstee9595 Your personal experience is not universal. And gatekeeping depression? Wow. People can and do heal from depression. It's a very broad and complex illness and your illness won't be identical to others illnesses whether you think it's "real" or not.

[@esstee9595]

@@AlicePDaly Once again, if you healed from depression...it was situational, including SAD, or did you miss the disticntion I made? Actual, real depression as in clinical, as in major or dysthymia,... does...not...go away. Never has, never will. One can deal with it...one can manage it so it doesn't rule one's life on a daily basis, and in fact one can have periods of happiness and wellness, but one can never cure it. It lurks and waits. You obvioulsy don't have real, actual, clinical depression, or maybe you mean you can "heal" from a depressive espisode...but if it's clinical, "real" depression, it returns. If you were actually, clincally depressed with major or dysthymic depression , you would know that.

[@AlicePDaly]

@@esstee9595 I hope no one reads your misinformed comments and decides to end it all instead of getting the help and treatment they deserve. Please do not reply with your uneducated incorrect information that can cause people real and irreparable harm.

[@dominicphillips2865]

I'm so glad this came up in my feed.

[@spindriftbeach6082]

Depression is your body telling you that the way your life is at that moment needs to change. You need to change the way your operating to beat depression. For me I realised my stress etc was due to my wife's escalating emotional, verbal and financial abuse. So I called time and left her. Within 2 months I was off the anti-depressants. It hurt me but it was and still is the right decision. Change the way you operate, respond and deal with those things that are deleterious to your well being.

[@gamezswinger]

Excellent talk. I know this is not easy to do but "accepting" your situation also removes a great deal of depression, anxiety and anger.

[@maricamaas2326]

You are so on point. There are today far too many expectations of being perfect and living the perfect life, and with that far too little contentment and thankfulness for what we do have.

[@impalabeeper]

You can't change the situation, but you can find alternatives. "Either find a way or make one."

[@jorritjipdejong4326]

The speech of the first guy was the first truly valid argument I've heard for equality of outcome (in my opinion). I was very impressed.

[@bmbm6405]

What helped me? To realize that no one would come to rescue me, that it was me having to step outside ask for help but having to take the steps by myself.

[@maricamaas2326]

Yes!!! Key is to be humble enough to do that.

[@maricamaas2326]

What interventions did you apply?

[@bmbm6405]

@@maricamaas2326 i don't quite get the question about the intervention (sorry my mother tongue is not English) but I try to reply to what I think you meant. I think a person in that situation of depression/ anxiety is viewing their life as a victim of their own circumstances. And I belive you have to realise, that you are playing that role, in order to step outside and take responsibility for your life prior to hoping that someone carry you no matter what. And at the end we try to get attention from everyone else (even if you are not asking at all and stay quite ) instead of giving ourselves the attention we so desperately seek . My "intervention" could be that I started to study art therapie, practice yoga and meditation from time to time . I reflected and searched for a way out of that hole and still I would say that I have back falls ..but this is part of life as well and it's my personal perspective on how I dealt with it does not mean it has to be the same for everyone !

[@maricamaas2326]

@@bmbm6405 Thank you for answering. You are well versed in English! Yes, indeed, one has to take responsibility for oneself. In Biblical Scripture, the principle is that 'each one is to carry his own burden', but then there also is the admonishment to be 'carrying one another's burdens'; meaning that we should not think of ourselves as being too self-sufficient either; that we should be open to accept help, as well as offer help to others. Your approach reminds of the different interventions discussed by Bessel van der Kolk ('The Body Keeps The Score). Have also learned much from Diane Langberg's discussions about dealing with Complex Trauma. What you mention, is so true: That we need to pay attention to ourselves. Foundational to loving others, is that we firstly are loving ourselves? Not paying attention to one's own needs, while giving in to the demands of those around one, easily can lead to burn-out... JBPeterson's 2nd Rule: 'Treat yourself as someone you are responsible for helping.'

[@maricamaas2326]

@@bmbm6405 Recently learned about how addiction to pleasure affects the brain ('Dopamine Nation' - Dr. Anna Lembke). The same pathway in the brain processes both pleasure and pain, and for one to experience pleasure, there also has to be the counter-action of experiencing pain.

[@z0uLess]

Also, our new connected online reality makes us see hirarchy in a much larger set of individuals.

[@maricamaas2326]

Don't you think that to an extent this also is levelling the playing field? We are now able to connect with and learn from a wide range of experts.

[@z0uLess]

@@maricamaas2326 I guess ones belief in hierarchy depends on whether one is on the right or left on the political spectrum.

[@maricamaas2326]

@@z0uLess There also are those in between; with similar function than connective tissue all over the body or synovial fluid in joints... For me online connection is a matter of gaining understanding/learning/seeking out Truth.

[@z0uLess]

@@maricamaas2326 They are called libertarians, and they dont get along with anyone :D

[@maricamaas2326]

@@z0uLess Fear of man brings a snare... Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom... The Truth shall set you free... They do get along with one another, while serving as a buffer between the polar opposites, which do not make sense to embrace.

[@lampelampe7234]

1 - 4:30: "your society is fucked up and that makes you sad." 43:50: "get enough sleep and enough sun." Hilarious.

[@reanetsemoleleki8219]

Are you watching the director's cut?

[@drgeorgek]

@@reanetsemoleleki8219 HAHAHAHHAAHAHA GOLD

[@maricamaas2326]

From elsewhere in this comment section: 'It is better to wear boots than trying to cover the earth around you with leather'.

[@Chris.4345]

It’s funny because both are true. The world is fucked up, AND one should get sleep & sun (among other things.) Not mutually exclusive.

[@UnlimitlesslyFunnyDude]

hahahaha ..... ever depressive person be like : we are evil/not right/this need to change however they do nothing good/big for society, agree?

[@carolinidi]

I liked what Pete Holmes had say, very compassionate and he made a compelling point.

[@suetipping4841]

Our minds are incredibly strong. I believe depression is created by a story we tell ourselves. Change your story.

[@Yuanyuan2011]

The powerful experience sharing at 15:00 mins is Buddha-hood. There is a dharma in every one of us. The body, brain and emotions are false self. The one who notices “there is a depression “ is our true self, which does not disappear even after the body and brain die

[@Yuanyuan2011]

Practice Mindful living style, and have a lot of compassion to the body and brain who works really hard for ourselves

[@UnlimitlesslyFunnyDude]

entertaining ourselves in sadness/seriousness, agree?

[@s_moshi11]

Has anyone looked at how the social hierarchy instability effect might be present in veterans when they leave the military? Most have held some level of leadership role (anyone higher than private) and have a well defined role in the hierarchy. Then are dumped into a confusing civilian system. I’d be curious, since a lot of veteran mental health issues are among non-combat veterans as well

[@flightmedic7634]

I'd definitely say that is a key issue. There was a high ranking enlisted individual who had been a huge inspiration to me in my military career. Hr retired and I found him working at Home Depot, he looked so sad and small and it was a bit shocking to see someone who had been such a leader as a customer service associate at a hardware store. From my own experience it's definitely a difficult transition from the military into the civilian world and I certainly think it's rough on veterans mental health.

[@FoxyRedddddd]

Woah. Interesting thought.

[@sorrycantvizualize]

That's a good read.

[@chasemanhattan7335]

More people need to meditate. Focus your attention by observing the breath. Learn to observe your thoughts, feelings, and emotions; instead of identifying with them. Studying Buddhism, which is a science (as well as a religion) will help.

[@Darwin42ME]

There is not multiple types of science. There is Science. Many ways to do it, but it’s only one thing. It’s not like religion, and Buddhism, which is perfectly fine, should not be confused with Science. Ask yourself, a proof of the power of science and knowledge is how it allows you to manipulate the physical world around you. Buddhist technology? There are teachings within Buddhism that Science can give an explanation as to why that may happen, but Buddhism is not Science.

[@chasemanhattan7335]

@@Darwin42ME do you consider psychology a science? Have you ever studied Buddhism? There are methods that lead to certain results, which can be repeated. I consider myself an atheist, but I still study and practice Buddhism.

[@CameronSlaysTBE]

Buddhism is not at all religion, you’re very wrong. It’s an idea, Buddha said people can choose to follow his path or not. Religions are mostly cults where people who don’t follow are exiled. Buddhism nothing like that

[@AntiMatter930]

Yeah meditation is key. And also, try not to identify with your mind. Our minds (egos) are survival tools and we need to be careful when we listen to them.

[@joqiii3]

I don’t think meditation or Bhuddhism , although valuable, will help anyone in the depths of depression. When they are finally out of the dark, then they can learn about both.

[@maricamaas2326]

Rule 2: 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.' Rule 4: 'Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.' Rule 6: 'Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.' Rule 7: 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient). 'The redemption of the world happens at the level of the individual.' - Prof. J.B.Peterson

[@aishwariyasweety2433]

Surprisingly people saying they went through depression makes me feel not alone.

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Thank you, Ruby Wax! You have affirmed what I have believed for years - our thoughts, when repeated, form a habit \ pattern. Have negative thoughts often enough and it becomes set and that leads to depression. In a way, the parental admonition to a child who is scowling, "You make that face often enough and one day it will stick!" holds a great deal of wisdom.

[@Rnankn]

I guess I’m averse to shaming myself unless it is warranted. So when I’m depressed, I realize I’m actually just fine alone. It is society that is neurotic, delusional, sociopathic and sometimes sadistic.

[@djmusicality9355]

Im so glad that the world is really trying to get to the bottom of this cruel cruel brain sickness.... This video really helped me alot and i cant wait for my brain to unlock its normal happy self again ☯️😇 I also wish this good fortune upon all the people suffering from depression. 💙🙏🏻

[@MlSS.S]

@ Musicality - The world of psychology in this Western world is certainly not trying to get to the bottom of anyting. They know fully well that this individualistic, extreme capitalist society goes against our very nature and they are trying to find ways to force you to cope with your state of imbalance in this deliberately orchestrated society.

[@sambolino44]

Hilarious! You put the first guy on to tell us that our depression is caused by external pressures from society, that it's a natural reaction to inequality, to being treated unfairly, and give contrasting examples of societies with different approaches. Then, instead of talking about how we can change our society to reduce depression, you have a bunch of people come on to tell us how to cope. Sure, I fully agree that diet, exercise, lifestyle, etc. can have a huge impact, at least for me they have; but to get to the root of the problem, to prevent that depression from developing in the first place, well, that option is just not available to us. Go for a run, eat some yogurt! You'll feel better so that you'll be ready for your next minimum-wage overtime shift at the factory. This video is depressing.

[@JimSting]

What did you expect? Capitalism is a sacred cow. The establishment will never accept that it's the problem.

[@nothanks5162]

Yes. I couldn't agree more.

[@angelcakeqtice2001]

So true.

[@liejsjdkedk]

The video presents seven alternative (though potentially interacting) "causes" or ideas underlying depression. The first guy's idea is just one of the theories; they are not saying that every person's depression is caused by social hierarchies or inequality. Besides, the most powerful thing you can do as a person with depression is (where circumstances permit) take matters into your own hands. That's where some of the other theories can come in. Changing society is no easy feat, but changing your own lifestyle or perspective is much more feasible.

[@EB-nz1qv]

Your implication to redistribute wealth will make everyone depressed (and poor). There will always be external pressures from society. It would be better to teach people how to manage stress rather than try to fix symptoms.

[@nevalans9524]

I found EMDR super super helpful with debunking some thoughts and beliefs that caused my severe anxiety.

[@Ayudado]

Simply, the best video about depression on the internet

[@derrickscott9469]

Improving my diet is one of the best things I did for my depression. I couldn't explain it scientifically like they did here, but I just feel better when I eat better. In hindsight, my worst depressive episodes coincided with eating a lot of fast/junk/readymade food. Even if eating healthier costs a little more money and time, it's worth it. Consider it an investment. And cooking as a hobby is fun.

[@cfishist]

A profound social change to combat depression would be the implementation of a Universal Basic Income.

[@maricamaas2326]

Profound boredom will follow.

[@erinburke9711]

Then people can get paid to stay in bed all day

[@charumathis5029]

Thing is even the biological components of depression mostly come down to social status and income levels. Say, a student with either money or a great mentor can smartly work and make time for play and sleep compared to a student without those things. The latter, even if he is more intelligent, has to be more academically inclined and, therefore, stress the body and brain much more. And then, realising that he is more likely to fare worse than the other guy anyway lands the final blow. It's pain, social pain.

[@athensmajnoo3661]

You are right, I have had a very unprivileged childhood, I became depressed when I hit my teens, it took a long time to come out, still, I could never accomplish anything substantial.......

[@charumathis5029]

@@athensmajnoo3661 stay strong....not everyone can succeed at the same level, but that reality applies to everyone. Fighting the depression will make your life incredibly substantial.

[@AnindyaMitraDigitalStoryteller]

I think that the only antidote to depression is having a sense of purpose in your life. But we humans are bombarded with so much information that the world starts to feel transient and we don't know what we really care about anymore. And we lose our sense of purpose. Some people call it growing up.

[@Guizambaldi]

Lacking purpose is definetly a problem. But not the only one.

[@lunacastroaxelorlando178]

@@Guizambaldi the purpose can be to find a purpose

[@avayu2289]

For me, it’s about stepping outside of myself: detach and observe. In short that transcendental process of meditation. Then I move my body, stretch, walk, swim what have you….then come back together with my inner self again which connects the mind and body of dopamine and serotonin coming together. No pharmacotics whatsoever….Because once my chemistry balance is out of my own volition, it’s gone forever. Sobriety is key and hence time and time again I can still pull myself out of a slump and lead a more purposeful aka mindful i.e, my best life.

[@jwh0122]

1:14 insecure or at the bottom of the hierarchy 1:58 submission gesture 3:46 social problem > individual, power imbalance > chemical imbalance 15:01 candle in a quiet place 17:11 mindfulness allows us to shift our relationship to our experience 18:04 cognitive therapy: I don't have to believe my thoughts

[@33Jenesis]

I don’t know if I ever had depression. However a couple of times in my life I paused my life, like a zombie stumbling, away from people and responsibility for several months in a row. I was barely functioning at work to not get fired. I didn’t pay bills or open mails/emails, didn’t pick up calls or return msg. I just wanted to be left alone, hibernating. When I felt like living again, I’d come back to be functioning. Unfortunately my credit score got lowered (utility got cut off from missing payments), alienating friends, and got labeled a slacker at work.

[@LarnNicole]

I can relate to this and i have some mental health disorders. Its always a great idea to check up with a health professional. Take care

[@billgates-qi9st]

Very interesting. I take time out by going to a monastery for a retreat. I read, walk in the woods, sleep, meditate, eat, sing lovely chants in the church and speak hardly at all. The monks understand why I am there and know exactly how to provide me with this space.

[@MA-se1iv]

I do this but because of body dysmorphia, I go into hiding for months until I feel confident enough in how I look to go out into the world again

[@pavanpyda]

Pete holmes was unwittingly talking about a conceptual process called - Changing 'Self as a content' to 'Self as a context' - in Acceptance and commitment therapy

[@fizzy9190]

For me, depression came with opening up my mind, leaving my religion, and realising that we've got nothing to look forward to after death.... I was wayyy happier as a member of a religious community, but now I can never really go back

[@Peanuts76]

True, warching videos about philosophy make me questioning my religions too....

[@MohammedAli0306]

If the faith is truly from God then these philosophical discussions should ultimately strengthen your faith - having doubts im between is normal and healthy. I hope you find your way to the true Islam as created by God, not administered by some humans.

[@fizzy9190]

@@MohammedAli0306 Islam by any definition is administered by humans. From sharia law, to hadith, to caliphs, to sahaba, to even the Prophet - it's organised around a community of humans that administer it. Which countries are the most welcoming, politically stable and are the most progressive? not the ones "administered" by Islam, that's for sure.

[@maricamaas2326]

Depression is rooted in disconnection from God and others.

[@amnajaved6894]

I agree. But I know every time I get out of it my mind throws back flashbacks of dogmas and that makes it worse

[@twinkletoes8057]

Living with a self centred egotistical narc for 30 yrs caused mine! I haven’t been able to find anything that makes me better.

[@angelocast]

I have been helping people in China with stress and anxiety for many years and we realized that the 2 top sources of stress are: UNCERTAINTY about future, and UNCERTAINTY about money. Then over the time I develop some techniques and created my own therapy with COGNITIVE THERAPY (writing) then MEDITATION (let go meditation with live music) and then CELEBRATION. Is so powerful. Exactly like Daniel Goleman mentioned here. Step by step we can recover. Is time to make a radical change and reinvent ourselves! DONT GIVE UP! :)

[@brothabuddha879]

I love this channel, I personally get so much out of the information, I'm grateful and appreciative for your content, thank you.

[@bigthink2763]

ḭnvest in Ƀḭt¢oin trading with my administrative Jeffrey Williams

[@bigthink2763]

His availability is on ωhatsapp

[@bigthink2763]

†19013296767

[@Da5idc]

My dilemma - feeling down makes any thought of exercise is exhausting - catch 22

[@reanetsemoleleki8219]

Try taking advantage of the moments when you're not feeling down (if you have any). Do the exercising then, whatever you can manage should be enough.

[@drgeorgek]

Bargain with yourself and just say I’m Going for a 5 min walk or run - especially outside. Once you get going you’ll find it snowballs into more activity from there more often than not

[@Sylar-451]

One helpful technique I learnt when it feels exhausting/almost impossible to do something helpful (like a bit of exercise or prepare something healthy to eat) is to start saying to yourself "I can't lift my arm" while you lift your arm.. And then take it further as you put on your running shoes or prepare food etc telling yourself the things you 'can't do'

[@lampelampe7234]

This starts out stating that depression is caused by society's problems. It LITERALLY ENDS BY TELLING YOU TO REWIRE YOUR BRAIN!

[@maricamaas2326]

Giving in to the idea that society is to be blamed, disempowers. Embracing the importance of individual responsibility, empowers.

[@lampelampe7234]

Then why don't the Ukrainians just choose to not be invaded by the Russians? Why don't they just rewire their brains so they aren't sad their families are being killed? A better question: if what you are saying is true (rather than neoliberal clap-trap) then why does the first segment conflict with the last segment, and furthermore, why is the former first and the latter last?

[@lampelampe7234]

Also, there is no empowerment there. The whole point of that philosophy is that society can blame individuals for problems like poverty, violence, racism and other things we form our societies and governments int he first place to protect us from.

[@maricamaas2326]

@@lampelampe7234 Consider listening to Clinical Psychologist Prof. Jordan Peterson expanding on the idea of how important it is to take personal responsibility; this instead of viewing yourself as the victim of other's bad choices.

[@maricamaas2326]

@@lampelampe7234 Both the first and last segments can be perceived as true at the same time - depending on a person's belief system. What is true for you, is not necessarily true for me. We all have different upbringings, and view matters from different perspectives - also depending on who/what had influenced us in the past, the different traumas we had endured, etc. The results of maintaining different belief systems over time, are different though, and in this lies real - not perceived truth. l cannot deny you the truth you are standing on, yet can debate with you, and possibly you or I may change our views over time. To ask the question: 'How can I help myself', instead if wasting time and energy on trying to change others' behaviour... Does this not make more sense?

[@a.p.2018]

The key thing that I took away from this was it to not definitely promote what things to do about the person's depression but just say I'm open to talk about it when you're ready, right now let's just be at peace talk about other things or just be in silence either way I'm here with you

[@tierrareset2515]

I strongly believe that my depression that I suffered from as a teenager was due to the fact of overthinking everything and my poor diet I was constantly eating junk food throughout my teenage years it wasn’t until I started changing my thought process and letting go of things that didn’t serve me any purpose and change my diet to a healthier diet I started to realize that I didn’t feel depressed any longer and that I for the first time in my life I was feeling happier bottom line I made the effort and put in the effort to change.

[@Birthdaycakesmom]

I do think you should use prescription medicine. It pushes you in the right direction. It’s more like a cast, or in some cases, a prosthetic. It’s far more than a bandaid, or a crutch. I can function without meds while exercising and eating only vegan food, but it’s very, very difficult. Traumatic events can wound the brain and thus medications can be prescribed. The brain is built off memories, painful memories can plague the brain, exhausting it of it’s reserves. When enough neural pathways develop in a particular way, it can become physically impossible to simply use cognitive changes and dietary changes without still feeling invalidated or even being successful. It can be healing to say “I’m hurt, I’m sick,” and here is my medicine, and it’s a pill. Even side effects like weight gain can be excellent for anorexia or erectile dysfunction for overwhelming sexual addiction. I used to cry uncontrollably without medication. My life was destroyed outside of my control and over time my brain just couldn’t cope as the destruction went on for years and then finally climaxed. Anyway, the feeling of being sedated and becoming a bit like a zombie although disappointing on one hand as even depression is “addictive” was also a relief. To sit and not feel, at all. Mood disorders are another expression of pain, injury… a deep cut in the brain requiring stitches or a physical injury like a broken hip

[@oobrocks]

I have chronic depression. The solutions: exercise, do something like fix your house, help people, be outside. Most importantly: "Never give up, never surrender"

[@maricamaas2326]

Ever since I can remember, it helped me to feel better by helping others who were worse off. The worse thing one can do is compare oneself to others who supposedly are better off?

[@oobrocks]

👍

[@lesliefitzgerald2354]

This is excellent information. Thanks for sharing !

[@xkb360x]

This video just helped me realize that not taking my antidepressant with a full glass of water is the reason that I have heartburn and burning of the esophagus all the time. Total game changer. Thank you!!!!

[@allie936]

It sounds like you need to eat something as well

[@xkb360x]

@@allie936 you would think so but I’ve pretty much hit cancel on my heartburn now that I just take a lot of water with it

[@tonypintarelli877]

This was one of the best videos you all have put out there. I love this so much.

[@heavymeddle28]

Depression feeds anxiety and anxiety feeds depression. From there it's only a downward spiral if you do not take care of the root problem.

[@gagecreekmore1202]

Smoke week for a bit

[@heavymeddle28]

@@gagecreekmore1202 have done so for pretty much 35 years

[@celticwinter]

@@gagecreekmore1202 So you're recommending people, that are mentally unstable and possibly at risk of psychotic episodes, to take drugs? Why not recommend self harm for blowing off steam too?

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

You need professional to help you change your way of coping and feeling. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is the best way and possibly medication. Depressed and anxious people often have an internalised distorted way of viewing the world and dealing with this illness.. so you have to learn to externalise your awareness with practice.

[@gagecreekmore1202]

@@paullangton-rogers2390 you can also “externalize your awareness” with Psilocybin 😂😂

[@theredpigman7990]

As someone with tourettes I laughed so hard from the phrase "it's like the devil with tourettes" xD

[@maricamaas2326]

Are you aware of the Modified Atkins Carnivor/Keto diet as treatment for Tourettes?

[@paulgitaukinuthia3916]

The inability to reason clearly, the lack of interest in anything, the poor appetite, and the overwhelming sadness of Depression are crippling to me.

[@RoderBrent]

The girl at the end is the best and the only one who made any sense to me at all.

[@bonbondesel]

The link between depression and the gut is also coming from a postural reaction from stress. In case of threat, one of the response is inhibition. For example a mouse can freeze in front of the cat to not trigger the chase. This is the exact same reaction we can have when we are stressed. The issue is that it "blocks" some muscles like the psoas. This muscle can completely make the gut dysfunction. The problem is that this muscle does not get out of this state. This explain why cardio-physical activity helps people with depression. One of the way to disactivate this posture is... running ! Because in the nature, once you're a prey and the predator is not interrested anymore with you, you gotta to run like hell after that to survive !!! This disactivate this posture. Muscles like the psoas can be blocked and compress the gut for years !! A lot of doctors don't have a global lecture of what's happening to the body when there is a stress or under depression. Medecine is divided in many specialities that rarely work together as a team. A psychiatrist for example will see the issue as a chemical of psychological issue, disregarding the possible applications of cardio-activities and so. I'm not saying that psychiatry or chemical are not good. I'm just saying that there is a lack of global approach on this subject. Here is the proof, in this video where top specialists speak, the link between the psoas and the gut is not even established. It is well known by some disciplines and I do not question the skills of the people in this video. But the fact is that so many knowledge are not shared in pratice.

[@MlSS.S]

@Bonbondiesel, while there is definitely truth to the brain/gut connection as well as diet and exercise, those are not cure-alls for depression. In fact, those things are completely useless if the person suffering from depression lacks the MOST IMPORTANT and essential components that enable us to thrive as a species - love, support and regular, meaningful face-to-face interaction.

[@bonbondesel]

@@MlSS.S Oh yes this is a most important. Without love, we perrish. In a way or another. I've worked as a social worker more two decades ago. I can that all the crazy situations I have seen were with people lacking support or love in their family and environnement. Most people say it's a question of will but these people do not even guess how lucky they are to have sane families or environments. And yes, a lot of people with issues in their families succeed. But I'm talking about insane people. Insane environments simply distroy people. It's not because something does not kill you that you are stronger. Some things brake you forever. That's why we call these things the essential ones. It's as vital as air, food and water. It's the food for the soul. I agree with you. Thanks for your comment.

[@dep7311]

I got fooled when I thought of the last presenter as an actress. The moment she said she preferred empirical evidence and she graduated at Oxford, my credibility and respect to her instantly rose. Loved the 3rd to the last presenter saying that, in my own terms, "this is what I am now but that is not who I really am." And the 2nd to the last presenter about Psycho-theraphy. These are the people that I would love to talk to and ask for help😞

[@JeyFox]

Great video overall; though I respectfully disagree that socioeconomic factors cause depression. They can certainly trigger depression episodes, but depression is quite universal, regardless of age, sex, race, origin, or wealth. Take Japan where more people died from suicide in the month of October that from Covid in all of 2020 (CNN, 29 November 2020). Or Estonia - a country placed among the top ten in three dimensions (intergenerational justice, labor market access and equitable education) - but also ranked third on a list of advanced countries with the highest rate of depression. Secondly, while I admit that therapy has helped many people with depression, I still find almost too much attention goes towards addressing the mental state through therapy, meditation, self-help, positive thinking, diet, etc., and not enough time is spent sutying what causes an organ (brain) to function in a wrong way. If it's not neurostrasmitters, then what causes it? Are there any physical differences between a "depressed" brain and a "non-deperssed" brain? PET scans and MRIs, for example, have already been proved useful in picking up brain abnormalities in people with depression. I really hope that more neuroscientists could provide their input on the subject of depression as an organ disfunction, rather than simply an emotional condition.

[@frederickschwartz3741]

The Northern (Scandinavian) circadian rhythm is a mega boost stimuli for depression.

[@twelvetenth8580]

In some cases nothing seems to work well. I have extremely severe depression and anxiety. It is like 15 years I cycle between hellish crises and unsatisfactory partially improved states. Only medications seem to work, moreover superslow and to a given degree. Not even permanently. Since many times I have allowed a crisis back. Sometimes I even feel like I should not consider myself as a human being, since I seem to be so different, because so much stuff just does not work for me. For alleviation of the symptoms I have to pretty much look for chemical substances and more of avoiding situations and activities which may make me feel ever worse. For me it seems to be really biological, chemical and physical. No less than diabetis, wounded limb, hypertension or cancer.

[@herbieshine1312]

Utterly broken at the moment. My dad died a couple of months ago. My mum has dementia, MS and is virtually blind. She had to go into a care home and is confused, agitated and upset all the time and she seems to be disappearing. Visiting her is unbelievably difficult and I'd just like for her to see I'm in pain and for her to hug me but she's too lost in herself for that. A three year relationship ended as my former girlfriend was an alcoholic and that became to much to deal with. As we split up I won't be around the cats she had which I loved and they loved me too. Both cats were kittens when my ex got them and I bonded really deeply with them from then. I've never been a pets person but now not seeing their stupid, beautiful faces looking at me is almost too much. I have BPD depression and anxiety and find making friends really difficult. I'm intensely lonely and lost. Having lots of assessments to see what help I can get but "everything" seems pointless . I don't know who I am or what the point of trying is when you lose the most important people/ things from your life. Desperately trying to find some answers meaning in these videos

[@stefanoromano3525]

You might consider doing voluntary work in a cat shelter and possibly take in a cat yourself. If you love them and respect them you receive so much love in return. I have three cats and they make me laugh with their playful characters and feel so grateful for the moments of joy they give me, even on bad days. I think depression is a journey, a tough one. But you can get a lot out of it if you accept the fact that that's YOUR journey. I wish you the best of luck!

[@lindakelehan2934]

For right now, all you have to do is hang on. One day at a time, one hour at a time, if necessary. And get some new cats of your own. Animals are unconditional love.❤

[@rmullenaux]

Pete said it perfect...I am where he is now...that is how I'd explain my brain disease.

[@asc4096]

*virtual hug

[@amnajaved6894]

What Pete talks about is great but it didn't work for me tbh. In fact it made me worse. Getting stuck in the rabbit hole of spirituality also amplified it. I guess it really is different for everyone

[@KingsguardRP]

Get to the root cause of the unhappiness and you solve the depression. Depression is negative state of emotions created by disconnect between the current reality and a past or future self, usually one without a plan to achieve the future self or regain a past self.

[@nataliebutler]

There are causes of depression beyond 'emotion', for example a concussion or systemic inflammation due to food allergy.

[@2snipe1]

You're not wrong, at least for my situation, which makes the first part of this video with Sapolsky's research so spot on. I was depressed for 13 years until I finally got to the root cause: self social isolation why? Because I thought I was disgusting, so why would anybody like or want me? I changed that core belief with NLP. The very month I snapped out of my depression, I found my wife, paid off my debt and now I'm back at school getting out a toxic job. Couldn't have done that without identifying that core belief. And its pervasive! I still struggle with that in new situations. But it gets less and less powerful everyday!

[@jgaffney567]

For some but not all. You cannot speak in generalities with depression. If effect each person differently

[@attheranch873]

Not always, that’s a very simplistic view.

[@spontaneouscat6791]

when you don’t have hope you are as good as death so depression is being hopelessness in everything

[@billgates-qi9st]

Excellent discussion below. Must be the most useful and honest set of comments and encouragement I have seen on youtube.