The Function of Depression: Do the Symptoms of Depression Serve a Purpose? Depression Skills #6

Do you want to learn How to Process Emotions and improve your Mental Health? Sign up for a Therapy in a Nutshell Membership, you'll get access to all of Emma’s courses, workbooks, and a Live Q and A with 100’s of exclusive videos: courses.therapyinanutshell.co...
Depression is painful, and it interferes with our ability to function. But at its root, some of the symptoms of depression are actually functional. This video may answer the question "Why am I depressed?" or at the very least help you to stop thinking of yourself as broken or damaged and instead consider the possibility that it's your thoughts that just aren't working.
Looking for affordable online therapy? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off: betterhelp.com/therapyinanuts...
Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: courses.therapyinanutshell.co...
Support my mission on Patreon: / therapyinanutshell
Sign up for my newsletter: courses.therapyinanutshell.co...
Check out my favorite self-help books: kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/bes...
Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: tinpodcast.podbean.com/
Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC, and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
About Me:
I’m Emma McAdam. I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I have worked in various settings of change and growth since 2004. My experience includes juvenile corrections, adventure therapy programs, wilderness therapy programs, an eating disorder treatment center, a residential treatment center, and I currently work in an outpatient therapy clinic.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love www.churchofjesuschrist.org/c...
If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.
Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
----
Music licensed from www.Bensound.com or Artlist.io
Images from Freepik.com (premium license), Pixabay, or Wikimedia commons

[@martynatrzcinska6533]

"we are supposed to have dreams and be sad when we aren't living them" I really appreciate that sentence

[@guardian7keys]

"We are not a failures, what we did, didn't work" that's just powerful

[@Soknik01]

?

[@fit4legends944]

But what we did is the fruit of our thinking patterns. The question is how to change our thoughts and beliefs

[@TheGuardDuck]

It's kinda like that thing we did, that didn't work, was a fail... But we're not failures, right?...

[@JoyfulWisdom]

"Symptoms serve a purpose. They're roadsigns that something needs to change." "Sometimes what's not working is not our actions but our habitual thoughts." Thank you, Emma 🙏

[@nancyfahey7518]

In my 20s and 30s i would be triggered by what someone said. I would feel alone and would go deeper into a black hole with my thoughts. Someone told me to never take anything personal. I studied that til it caught on in my head and have not gone down that path in 30 years.

[@TremendousSax]

What does it mean not to take anything personal? What if someone offered a valid criticism of you?

[@nancyfahey7518]

@@TremendousSax that's their opinion. It only matters what your opinion is of yourself. I had to work on that too.

[@strandedinanisland457]

Damn I can relate. I've also realized that not everything is about me. Also I know me, why would I so readily accept other people's opinion?

[@hv97]

Good job. When did you stop worrying so much all the time, how old were you? I'm 23 and I'm working on myself all the time but I still try to impress some people way too hard and my low self-esteem gets to me every once in a while :|

[@latrecelockett4930]

Me too

[@jodiramberg707]

I’ve been a therapist for 10 years and this is a whole new way of looking at depression for me!! Thank you 😊

[@tobik2627]

That’s shocking to hear

[@deefee701]

​@@tobik2627 Not really, depression has been considered as a disease for decades by the medical fraternity. But that is better than how it was viewed up until modern times. Depression used to be considered as an evil spirit invading the victim and they needed a purge.

[@andreas4268]

Love your approach. Finally we stop covering symptoms and addressing what it means in the sense of personal growth! Post traumatic growth....now that is what I’m talking about! Fail forward 👍🏻🙌😊

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

Thanks!

[@karansidhpura1744]

I can say the more I see your videos the more I understand about mental health and how normal it is. It's not a huge problem as people see it, it's just the stigma with the society that scares people about depression. I am looking forward to a day when people will take depression just like fever and always come out of it gracefully instead of being scared like shit.

[@pebblesjan9]

So true

[@chrisperrucci76]

Yes!

[@aaliyahscott9523]

Love that!!! Treating it like a “fever” is so true!!!

[@LilithsOwn303]

This is really one of the best, most comforting, reassuring and explanatory clips I have ever seen about Depression. Big thanks, this lit a lightbulb somewhere in my thoughts. There is hope! :)

[@Missramy100]

I was thinking the same thing!!

[@stephenmullan321]

Feeling that too

[@istp1967]

"Symptoms serve a purpose, they're road signs that something neds to change" - BRILLIANT. It's often said, that the definition insanity; is to repeat the same behaviours over and over and expect a different outcome each time. So in essence the function depression; is to manifest the need to readjust our thinking and change our behaviour.

[@junkjunk2493]

thanks for your work 61yrs old on disability diabetes depression cant afford therapy this helps thanks for sharing

[@eliseintheattic9697]

This is a great analogy to bad relationships (including jobs). Sometimes we just have to leave our comfort zone to find a better place to build that bridge.

[@georgegibsonclark89]

Amazing videos. They are really helping me to understand depression and anxiety.

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

Awesome

[@marcellam855]

This was so good! I'm so glad I found your channel. Loved the bridge-building metaphor. And thank you for addressing the fact that there might be physiological reasons causing depressions as well. Appreciate this!

[@seckinvarol8647]

I have never seen this explanation before, and it feels so good to look at this way. And everything makes so much sense. I cannot thank you enough Emma. I feel so good after this !!

[@TEE19622]

Great analogy...helping me to see that all pieces of life have value and we all have our unique talents to unlock and process struggles and challenges into growth ... Thanks for sharing your observations with us

[@Sylsaltiagoed]

I am currently binge-watching your channel and I want to thank you for all of the helpful content you share. It makes all the difference when you find someone who presents the information in a way that clicks. Thanks and much success! 🤗

[@alexandrosalexandropoulos4836]

It's very impressive how you simplify and explain such difficult topics! Congratulations and thank you very much Mrs McAdam!

[@tommeehan4061]

You are helping so many people it’s amazing, I thought I was beyond help but I just needed to understand. Thank you

[@gomey70]

This is great, thanks. It relates the something I read recently about 'stress related growth' whereby the skills we learn to cope with depression can help us grow and learn more about ourselves, in ways we hadn't even considered before.

[@fireinateacup89]

This was surprisingly calming and encouraging. Thank you. 💗

[@helloinnerlight]

I love how you approach this! Thanks so much!

[@carolynvenema1019]

So,so excellent Emma! Thank you for explaining so well!

[@luigiperrone8169]

This is a good, non-depricating approach.

[@eirene4235]

Thank you for this video, this was wonderful. This is such a great approach, I will use it. Wow, I cannot thank you enough. I love your videos, you are so helpful.

[@janetgreenler7602]

Such helpful video, my 37 yrs old son is as low, depression, as can be and I want to help and your videos are helping me!

[@stevemarx6204]

Your a lovely person !!!Great work here!😘

[@allaboutlife4900]

Really appreciate your videos Very helpful with good explanation .. Thanks a lot Keep this good work going

[@michaelguillot8242]

This is really thought provoking, thank you!

[@jeansmyth262]

When I had an accident I went through weeks of painful therapy which I managed very well and had big celebration when final bandages taken off. All over I thought but over next few weeks I sank into deep depression. My G P told me the weeks of pain had upset my brain chemistry and I responded very well to antidepressants. Don't be afraid to take antidepressants. Sometimes it is best approach.

[@TheEyebrows]

Hi, were you able to get off of them eventually? If so, how was your experience doing so?

[@mwoods4810]

You are so wonderful on how you explain all of this. You are definitely a gift to me from God. Thank you so much.

[@trapfactory8600]

This was a powerfully insightful video. Thank you.

[@davidhughes2725]

Thank you Emma : so grateful to your channel 😊

[@kl8132]

Valued based action, that's amazing. Sometimes someone will say something that rings the bell and that did. Yes we must deal with unresolved conflicts in the past but we don't need to base the whole treatment on that. I love your focus, valued based action is so positive and really puts a new light on something I've lived with since I was 17. Depression does suck, but maybe I need to stop and check if something isn't working first instead of falling into a pity puddle. Thank you

[@kyleemerson]

Thank you so very much for this, from the bottom of my heart

[@anacaramelo]

Amazing approach on depression! Congratulations and many many thanks!

[@johannes3174]

During my depression i found myself having the thought that if you are always walking the same way then you do not need to wonder why you reach the same finish.

[@reesegetwellchannelgully8132]

Totally agree - it does serve a purpose - markers for change ..brilliant

[@looktothen0rth]

This is really a great channel. Really interesting hearing about the function of depression.

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

Thanks!

[@maryjanewfarley910]

SO helpful to me!! You're a Godsend. Thank you.

[@letsgofishingene]

I loved the bridge illustration soon much. Thank you 😊

[@actsrv9]

Brilliant! Thoroughly impressed once again. I find that if I watch all your videos one after another, they don't make the impact that they make when I watch them after some time, letting each major revelation sink in slowly. Some knowledge should be accumulated slowly.

[@chrisperrucci76]

Me too

[@dinorahdarby4499]

A thousand tiny lights came on before I saw my way out of depression and a toxic relationship. One significant experience was when a therapist suggested I write a compassionate letter to myself as if I where a good friend. Before that day, I'd never considered the fact that everyone else's happiness was paramount to my own. It was what I'd always known. Today, I am on a healing path and working towards a masters in art therapy. Moreover, I am nourished by self love. This video touched on self compassion. My comment is to emphasize the significance of this beautiful aspect of mental health.

[@odalesaylor]

I really like this message. Might have to watch it numerous times.

[@alickandreades6314]

Thanks for the post much appreciated.

[@bobbybrown4652]

That is so cool, love this analogy !

[@arjunmrao4039]

Awesome video. . very revealing ..

[@anthonylesurf7885]

Your videos have supper helped me. Thankyou so much!.

[@jessicajessica5814]

Your voice relax me You are a good psychologist !!!

[@homehelpheart7440]

Thank you for this! It's a whole new way to look at my deoression & SAD. ❤️

[@cherylcarlson3315]

Beautifully stated. The failed bridge response is exactly what I had as I came down with MG. Unfortunately providers didn't listen to you and was told it was my fault, be positive, push through it, you aren't trying hard enough... all while my body was shutting down muscles of respiration, eye control, standing and I lost hope. My last flicker was demanding mestinon even though don't have antibodies...now 15 mos later have walking ability again, breathing better off the bipap, can read again, have hope. All through this mess because I got so tired, couldn't hold head up,couldn't pursue any passions I was told I must be on antidepressants ,most of which make myasthenia gravis even worse. I truly wish you could get into the ear of many docs. You would save so many people with neuromuscular diseases still in diagnosis process so much emotional pain.

[@blueconversechucks]

I definitely feel this. I usually have an energetic period after being depressed. It rings true that I need to recharge sometimes after a big down period.

[@n.c.6211]

WOW. This is mind-blowing!!! Thank you ✨

[@barrymichlowitz1071]

I was never taught depression had a practical purpose before. Thanks for the bridge-building example.

[@redglazedeyez6652]

Your a really good therapist

[@carpenterfamily6198]

Thank you for the good you do 🙏

[@samr2c854]

Sometimes pain isn't made by choices but just a beautiful part of being alive. -so powerful.

[@allaboutlife4900]

Thanks again Lot of work to uncover wrong thinking n myths concerning sadness n change pattern of thinking n yes Big thanks ❤️ for giving HOPE n Right Direction Please keep this good work going 😘😘😘❤️💕

[@themetalgardener4960]

I love this anthropological approach to looking at this. I realized several years ago that my depression was my brain's way to slow me down and rest when I needed to. It can get out of hand and also our culture doesn't really support sporadic slow downs of days or weeks. The important thing is that it has helped me to better manage it. I try to schedule slow downs as a preventative and if I feel a depression coming on I give myself as much space and time to get extra sleep, do less things, increase self care, self-reflection, and/or mental vacation that my brain/body needs. I don't allow myself to go too deep or wallow too long and try to focus on rest and relaxation as much as possible.

[@thecrazyandthewild]

Thank you, Emma!

[@catherinene1111]

wow you are like really deep and professional! Applause!

[@sunilbamel2934]

Amazing videos..thanku so much dear..

[@regalo1979]

God bless you for sharing helpful advices.

[@valerierobertson8303]

🙏

[@nanszoo3092]

I was lucky enough to receive counseling to help me deal with a physical disability about 25 years ago which used some of these CBT techniques. To this day, I am usually able to check my mindset and tell myself what I know to be true despite how I'm feeling. Currently, I am going through a difficult transitional time which is lasting longer than I feel it needs to be lasting, but despite the poor outlook for my future, I have not given up yet. I really don't know what my future holds and although I am in a safe space, I am not really satisfied with my current situation. But I believe there is still hope - I just haven't figured it out yet. I think I will watch this video a few more times to remind myself that just because I'm not where I want to be in life, doesn't mean I won't get there eventually.

[@anniep855]

You are a treasure - thank you❤️

[@rantorex]

Ooooh! You are good, Emma! Keep up the good work :)

[@mohamedbkh2508]

Your video appeared on the right time for me

[@lenas6479]

Creative hopelessness. Thank you Emma!!!!

[@jordanxfile]

Thank you for this video :)

[@siobhanbhan9128]

Thank you for these videos

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

Thanks Brie, hope they can help someone :)

[@johnmaggiorino4493]

Just watched this again, makes so much sense 👍

[@SoulSociety2021]

Heal depression with stinging nettle roots An infusion of stinging nettle roots can be effective against anxiety and a tendency to depression. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKDSYolshK5qr7s

[@DonnaSanchezAuthor]

Such an encouraging thought on depression!

[@user-cd2jl4is4k]

well expalined!😊

[@muzerhythm2242]

Love this perspective of finding meaning or purpose to the depression. I believe there is meaning in anything we go through or it creates a path to our purpose (ex: Someone in a gang and on drugs. Now is clean and reaching out to kids in the community). I have been trying to finding meaning for YEARS and just felt like it was nothing more than a curse. Thank You!❤😁

[@KarmasAbutch]

I really like the way you calmly draw people into a reframe with a story... it’s also demonstrative of what makes a reframe help. It’s a second truth that is believable too, and can live alongside the problematic belief to counteract it. Eg: 1.Blood is thicker than water 2. Yeah but you can still drown in it ... 😂 helpful for extracting yourself from a toxic family member) Not to be confused with a positive affirmation that the universe will manifest somehow if you practise it like a mantra, which many therapists seem to believe too. Those can leave you feeling hopeless in a mental health crisis. As can click baity advice soundbites like “Want to be less depressed. Reframe your narrative!!!!” (Then some abstract lack of content, and being told to smash the subscribe button... in that zany over-enthusiastic voice everyone uses now). I never have to worry about this being what pops up when I click on one of your videos. 💝

[@rachel_henderson]

Thank you so much.

[@veradorzhinova7790]

This is really helpful!

[@SoulSociety2021]

Heal depression with stinging nettle roots An infusion of stinging nettle roots can be effective against anxiety and a tendency to depression. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKDSYolshK5qr7s

[@natashamudford4011]

I looked for 10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health (mentioned at 7:11), but couldn't find it on your video list. Is this on KZbin, or is it a course on your website? If on KZbin, could you please supply a link?

[@fearitselfpinball8912]

Love this.

[@amandawoodward8719]

Thanks!

[@johnmaggiorino4493]

Interesting thanks

[@johncliser8700]

Thank you 🙏

[@linishajith6691]

Thanks a lot.

[@JustinSurf1]

Fantastic!

[@lamar7of9]

That was amazing

[@princessbagley]

Thank you!!

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

Glad you found it helpful :)

[@TheDarrenguyuk]

thank u love ur great healeer

[@jeffrichardson6366]

I love your content, it seems like you know me. Your baby has a great mom.

[@TheDarrenguyuk]

emma thank u

[@cheyennelang5025]

Interesting perspective of depression. Do you have the best videos.

[@mischabe3]

In my case it looks hopeless. I have lost most of my savings that I have saved for retirement to a fraudulent investment business. I just can’t see a way out. I just don’t want to continue on living. It’s not just something in my mind. It’s real. No alternatives.

[@Yet333]

I read your post.... wanted you know I heard you... wanted you to know I care. want you to text me whenever you need🧡

[@skinney9542]

I'm so sorry, how are you doing now? X

[@laurabaier9363]

I just stumbled on to this ,really like how broke this down and sounds more hopeful then discouraging which is important ! The rabbit hole is a bad place to be in !

[@rebeccajones9757]

I think about this video every time I feel unmotivated in the pandemic. I don't want to do anything. Too many plans get cancelled and too many people are getting sick. I am just idling until I feel safe.

[@izmirfication]

Can you make a video about how to perceive the death reality, how to think about news about someone killed in a tragic accident,... , how to think the right way to eliminate these worrying thoughts, Pleasee ❤️

[@withasideofdoodles-5610]

I love you!

[@Larissa_aus]

5000 years. THANK YOU! 🙌💝💖🌈🌏

[@Ibrahim164]

I love the analogy of the caveman trying (and failing) to build a bridge in order to get to the plentiful natural resources. To help to explain one of the most common origins of long-term, clinical depression, imagine that the caveman is a baby and that he just wants his mother to meet his emotional needs so that he can grow up to be a normal, functional human being. If mom is unable or unwilling to meet her baby's emotional needs, then the baby will protest loudly. If mom decides to ignore her baby's crying (because maybe this particular mother doesn't know that babies need to be held and cuddled), then the protests will increase in volume and intensity until the baby goes into a state of rage. If this still produces no response from the mother, the baby will finally collapse into silence. Does this silence mean that the baby has somehow learned to self-soothe? No, it's called the freeze response, and you could say that it's a kind of giving up on life. What this basically means in practice is that by failing to respond to her baby's needs, this particular mother has just produced a human being who will most likely end up being clinically depressed for the rest of his natural life. Well done, mom! You just ruined your son's life by creating in him one of the most painful, incurable and debilitating conditions known to man. Since there is no known cure for depression, he'll most likely continue to suffer from this debilitating condition until he either dies naturally, or he dies prematurely from the effects of an addiction to drugs or alcohol, or he dies by suicide because he can see no other way to escape from his suffering. Some may argue that the cause for clinical depression is a lot more complicated than this, and they would be right - other factors are also involved. However, whatever happens in early infancy lays the foundations for adult life. If these foundations were faulty to begin with, then it won't take that much trauma to cause full-blown depression or CPTSD, as compared with an adult who had a more secure foundation in life.

[@natashamudford4011]

Wow, your comment just makes me want to flip off my mom. She flat-out admitted that she prefers boys over girls, and as an only girl with 4 brothers (none of whom suffer from depression), her lack of bonding with me really landed me in a ditch. Definitely have some attachment injury happening here... gonna have to re-parent. I'm kind of old for that.... but what else can I do?

[@xLovebirdx]

@Planners and Peonies dads can also be neglectful

[@leighcain7258]

@@natashamudford4011 you are never too old for it. Look forward to the new you. Good luck.

[@karenintexas4831]

I had a severe depression that was a chemical imbalance in 1985. I've had some degree of depression and anxiety since. 3 years ago I started having diabetic nerve pain and that destroyed my hope of getting over depression. I just got through with TMS therapy and some ketamine sprays and am still depressed. Don't know what else to do. I've tried some different medications.

[@elyacoukakarim]

bravo 👍

[@pam164]

I was depressed for over a year everything was black and i felt ill i didn't even have energy to eat or watch tv. Was put on medication and have felt good since still have down days but i bounce back. Good video

[@genlabonte1478]

What meds have helped you? I think I may need some for depression and anxiety. Thanks..

[@pam164]

@@genlabonte1478 Antidepressents.

[@dbsk06]

7:59 distorted thoughts create perception of hopelessness. Creative hopelessness !!! < Create new way of thinking that actually works

[@shumeister1059]

Problem solving stars by saying: How can I make this work? What's missing? How can I fix it? Is this actually possible? Then gathering the resources, the help, and delegating what must be delagated.