How I’ve Dealt With My Lifelong Depression (Tools + Therapies)

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Tim Ferriss is one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and an early-stage tech investor/advisor in Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ other companies. He is also the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors. The Observer and other media have named him “the Oprah of audio” due to the influence of his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which has exceeded 900 million downloads and been selected for “Best of Apple Podcasts” three years running.
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[@timferriss]

Watch the full interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pojTknaCfrqhjtE

[@Jennifer-bw7ku]

As someone who suffers with extreme severe anxiety I can totally relate to her. I would stop eating for days at a time as a punishment. I worry a lot about my life, everyone around me and pleasing everyone. It's absolutely crippling, so glad she got the help she needed, lovely young lady it's so sad that society has 1 in 3 people suffering mental health issues. I hope everyone seeks help

[@elizabethwilliams6651]

People need to realise that people with anxiety disorders have oversensitised nerves, it's not a simple case of manning up and getting over it.

[@AnjeloValeriano]

Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about how mushrooms and psychedelics treats anxiety, but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!

[@steceymorgan814]

Yes, Doctor Greg Mushrooms he is a great man of God who has the great insight on psychedelic and mushroom. He will guide you on how to use mushrooms to get good trip.

[@AnjeloValeriano]

Please, how do I reach doctor Greg?

[@steceymorgan814]

He’s on the internet

[@mikestaub]

What helped me was magic mushrooms, cold plunges, and sprinting. This makes me wonder if depression is not just a natural response to humans living in nonhuman environments and lifestyles.

[@acardinalconsideration824]

That isn’t 100% of it but it sure is a hell of a large portion of it

[@wellofinfinity]

Man i microdosed mushrooms, swam in the cold sea and went running everyday too, it pulled me out in 2 or 3 weeks fully

[@iamrobmat]

Thanks for this, this year i have discovered cold plunges and sprinting. Those two work as hell. Need to try magic mushrooms.

[@mikestaub]

@@iamrobmat be careful with mushrooms, set and setting are critical.

[@tylerodell3368]

It also explains why Mario never had depression.

[@evrettej]

I had horrible depression for most of my life. As you get older for me it got better. The 3 things that saved me was 1st having kids. The realization that my life is no longer about me really helped. It gave me purpose. 2nd was my wife and her support. Just an ear to listen to my negative word vomit. I quickly realize im in a funk and it helps me get out of it. The 3rd is the newest thing i found to get lost in was One Wheel. I say new when really ive been riding for the past 3 years. But everyday that the weather permits it i ride. The state of flow i get it immediately clears my mind and the joy i get from it is so meaningful to me i cant even describe it in words. You gotta have an outlet. This video was awesome. It reminded me of what helps me.

[@chillydoog]

I'm not reading that essay

[@evrettej]

@@chillydoog sorry

[@GokuRunnerV0]

More or less the same. Kids and sports changed my life for ever. Good to read you are better. Keep riding and enjoying life, even when is hard.

[@acardinalconsideration824]

I gotta find a nice woman to settle down with and creampie one of these days

[@handshakes76]

that's fantastic. but for us single guys who can't get laid this is an issue lol

[@markus9541]

Thanks Tim. What helps me to improve during bad episodes is cardio workouts. Get your pulse above 130, or even better 140, for at least an hour, on three to four days a week. This basically saved my life.

[@OB213]

Exercise is so important. Even just walking outside for 15 min can change our outlook.

[@rodrigosuarez1942]

I suffer from those almost catatonic states and I have observed that many times they happen because of suppressed emotions. I adapted to suppress emotions that weren't allowed in my family or were conflicting for my family. And emotional releasing techniques have been helpful, even though they work very slowly, they release emotions that can have years buried in my body. Psychedelics are very useful for this purpose too. Thanks Tim.

[@nicklashoff887]

Your state creates your story. So important (yet hard) to remember.

[@dickschwanzstein1789]

Such an oversimplified thing to say clearly coming from someone who doesn’t have a clue as to how complex of a disease it is. There is at least as much of a biological story to be told as there is a psychosocial story to be told. This speaks to the imagination as depression is one of the most common diseases and many individuals from the wealthiest, most intelligent and most successful of families are afflicted.

[@CarolAEgan]

There's something so powerful about speaking our truth with confidence. And when that truth is tender and intimately sacred because it comes from the deep and vulnerable places within us, and we still speak it out loud, I just don't know what could matter more. Thank you for sharing. I've opened both blog posts to read.

[@geneg3776]

I realized certain things magnified my depression such as self doubt, feeling you have no control, feeling of helplessness, excessive stresses, problems, overwhelm. If you feel even a few of these constantly definitely get support. I found a combination of therapy and also learning about depression myself and also listening to Tony Robbins helped me alot. It of course takes time as you're building yourself up again.

[@charliefox9573]

I've suffered for most of my life, despite being good looking, intelligent and having everything going for me. Exercise, cold, therapy, social activities etc all help, but I'm convinced I wouldn't be struggling nearly as much as I had found a happy loving relationship. Been alone for all but a few years, now in my 50's.

[@JoshuaReingold]

That sounds sad.

[@abcd-wg2iq]

Similar here. Simply there is nobody there. All relationships unfortunately so fake. Coworkers, "friends", tried going to different churches.... its just so cringe, utter hipochrites and fakeness. People choose to live a lie, suffer under it, and attack you if you dare to challenge their slave egos. Its assimilate or die mentallity.

[@liamc7097]

I'm in a similar position at 35. I know I would be happier with a girlfriend I just don't feel good enough for anyone

[@RobackersJourney]

Hey brother, make a tinder, upgrade to platinum, put your location in Asia somewhere, like Indonesia or Thailand, and meet beautiful, feminine, loving and sweet Asian women. You’ll thank you. 🙏🏼

[@SeaMark782]

​@JoshuaReingold Very empathetic. What a bummer, so sad. I'm sure glad that's not me. Maybe not meant, but it sure came off that way, and you got thumbs up for saying it's a sad story? Not knowing you, I don't know your history, but life can be very demanding and lonely for some people, by no fault of their own, perhaps, like him! Would it be even sadder for someone who is 68, like me?

[@raycj82]

I struggled with depression since my teenage years. It's getting worse since 2018. I had to apply for early retirement because of my depression. Hopefully I can survive and rebuild my life after I retire.

[@elizabethk3238]

Life-ling depression. Life got very good once I retired, and had an income I could rely on. I learned to eat well, and control who I let into my life. I am now 77 and enjoying my best life...always being aware to protect my mental health. I am still pain, and meds-free.

[@JohnnyDoom]

Thank you. I've gotten a lot of help from changing my state before trying to change the story.

[@presence5426]

Good things to try for general depression are: exercise, especially aerobic. Adaptogens (ginseng, rhodiola, ashwagandha, holy basil). A diet low in refined carbs and high in nutrients & protein. A good psychological therapist. Massage therapy.

[@dickschwanzstein1789]

Sure, bringing inflammation down can only help. St John’s wort, griffonia, SAMe and niacin are also good ones to suppl with

[@amleth_prince_of_denmark]

This is what has helped me: 1. See your doctor, cooperate with your doctor 2. Positive habits (wash, exercise, pray, work) 3. Try to be kind to yourself and forgive yourself 4. Do something to help someone else (spouse, children, friend, neighbour) 5. Try to control your thoughts by replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts

[@The_Nickers]

All of these can be impossible when in deep depression. In my experience with multiple doctors, they are useless for depression - they always want to prescribe medication, which for me, only makes things worse, in a different way.

[@amleth_prince_of_denmark]

@@The_Nickers There is a big difference between difficult and impossible. From my experience it is not impossible to do these things, but it is very hard. I cannot speak to your experience. Anti-depressant medication does tend to have side effects which is why it is important to work with your doctor to find the right medication for you (there are several different types) with the most manageable side effects. I agree, doctors often seem to want to prescribe medication and leave it at that. Sometimes talking therapy is available but often not. It is often up to us to find a structure and framework to help us function through the symptoms.

[@The_Nickers]

@@amleth_prince_of_denmark And I think that this is why advice will vary from person to person, because experiences differ. My experience of depression differed from my father's, etc.

[@LivingProcess]

This was a great interview top 59 at least! There's been so many!

[@GManderson]

Hey Tim. I really needed to hear a little of what you two were talking about in this video. I'm going through my own little existential crisis right now. Feel like I'm stuck in a loop that there is no path out of. Trying things in order to better myself but I always hit a brick wall. Not sure when I subbed to you. It was probably the last time I had one of these periods in my life but some of what you two spoke about really spoke to me. I'm trying as hard as I can to lift myself from this funk. It's good to hear some of your experiences and tactics for getting out of it. I didn't walk away with much for my own usage but I definitely took some of it with me once the video ended. Thanks for appearing randomly in my feed. It's as if you guys knew what I was going through and reached out. Like a good friend. Taking steps to better myself just a bit. Have been for a while. And I cant and won't give this up.

[@meaningfulmakings]

I’ve not even started watching it but already I want to reach out and hug him. Love you Tim. Xxxx

[@00czen00]

If you are talking about serious depression: the first step is to exclude somatic causes like thyroid disregulation or acute hormonal problems. Then psychotherapy and/or antidepressants/neuroleptics/tranquilizers depending on the type of depression. TMS research looks very promising. There are also a lot of research on different kinds of inflammation causing depression and different agents to modulate it. I'd also look into LDN (low dose naltrexone) which is currently being researched for depression also. Ketamine right away seems a little extreme.

[@PeterKoperdan]

Isn't ketamine supposed to be super safe in medical setting? Plenty of people also take it "recreationally"...

[@notgunnadoit7461]

here's what sucks about Combat related PTDS - Depression. It's a circling the drain type of disease. You're supposed to eat right and exercise but you absolutely DO NOT feel like doing anything. And then you romunate with all the nevitive reinforcement which only spirals you down.

[@MrTfot]

Dear Tim, Thank you very much for your vulnerability. Your ability to show vulnerability can hopefully inspire us all to seek help from others when we are in a difficult situation. As you so rightly say, you are not alone. Thank you for everything

[@KC-of1yx]

In short - just love you Tim so helpful always

[@PankajPoddar]

I read the Bhagavad Gita. It's teachings help me in managing depression. Basically, it teaches to remain detached while doing your activities. Once we get attached to people, places, opinions, and conditions, then there are high chances of getting depressed. Dispassion helps a lot. Passionate people are likely to get depressed.

[@theanniewooding]

There are so many facets and techniques can be incredibly supportive with consistency. I can slip up thinking I need to fit in as I see everyone just getting on with life with sort-fix-do capabilities (as far as I know). Whilst I can do this, sometimes it gets tough and videos & open chats like these prove that the coming and going of conditions doesn’t mean that I have to relegate myself to some sort of defective human. I admit that I refuse to just “fit in” but it’s an honesty to myself that I’m not prepared to gloss over, I can’t! Naturally, maybe a stubborn streak or high standards meets tipping point of tolerance. Whilst we’re all unique it’s helpful to imagine that I’m not alone or faulty, that I don’t need to write myself off or settle. This vid has helped me to remember and contextualise that it takes work to learn and manage the depths of experience, so, it’s an honour to witness these sorts of conversations where people do express and do listen to each other carefully. It’s landed in an awkward moment for me but it’s also a healthy push/shove away from panic “fix self” mode. Thank you. With my struggle of “being worthy of” I’ve held back a lot in life, and as a result, a lot of time can pass ineffectively (frustrating!) but I do take pride in my doggedness of living in my truths. Whilst some times are still tough, upkeep is the name of the game… success... even on the duff days and allowing the state to pass. Kindred friends & a partnership where others are experienced & prepared to communicate in their own honesty aren’t so easy to find. But they do or can exist! Thanks for this post.

[@Ni-Ti-Fe-Se]

State ->Story-> Strategy. 1.State: Determine if you are in a Low energy state , or high energy state ? if low energy raise Low Energy state first hop in a cold shower for 5 mins Do 50 jumping jacks Do 20 pushups anything to change your state from low energy to a higher energy state to change the story from a lower greyscale to a few tints brighter to change strategies you think of that will be 80% more effective

[@henryayanna9401]

Judging by your username, wondering if their is any interest in OPS?

[@mundomagico7787]

Chronic fatigue means vigours exercise is not step one …

[@EdelweisSusie]

Are you telling someone with depression to do 20 jumping jacks?!!! I can barely get out of bed, never mind jump up and down!

[@EdelweisSusie]

@@mundomagico7787Finally - a realist!

[@chrischannel942]

Super helpful as always, @timferriss! Thanks for always sharing your story with utmost courage and integrity.

[@downtownab]

Thanks Tim. The state story strategy sounds like exactly what I needed to hear.

[@Joelification1]

Are the story, strategy parts fleshed out more somewhere?

[@lakeboww]

Thank you Tim.

[@blenderguru]

Which episode is this?

[@rohanaurora]

Matt Mullenweg kzbin.info/www/bejne/pojTknaCfrqhjtE

[@philippejaggi975]

This one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pojTknaCfrqhjtEsi=bHVtKOOrAZg1R55J

[@gregorybrown7039]

Thanks for the info Tim. Long time depressioner here. I’ve been doing ketamine therapy with good results, but not stellar results. I’ll have to look further into TMS.

[@colin6673]

I wish I could try ketamine legitimately. I can only get it off the street 😔

[@evelynovercash1147]

I make sure I exercise every day, no sugar.

[@melliecrann-gaoth4789]

Thank you for talking again about with suicidal ideation and contact hotline

[@coreyhayes9428]

Amazing, Amazing...Amazing content...thx.

[@Usernametouse]

Yea it’s always seems to be the challenge is shifting the emotion, allowing it in presence of poss, or resolving it with compassion if that’s there … then the narratives change which always is a 😳 eye opener to realise what stories you’ve been immersed in If anyone lucky enough to have a therapist who genuinely cares about how your feeling, that changes so much too 👌 Red krill oil was amazing mood stabiliser for me too if anyone wants to try that temporarily - huge difference

[@andipower8163]

Padel Tennis and salsa dancing helps. Padel is the best sport to get into a better mood. Please try it!

[@ranad6123]

What helped me overcome my depression is that I take marine magnesium every day and sport

[@Vi3ES]

Bro life long.. :(. As always thank you for sharing - more men need to know they can even say they are depressed or have the room to know they can. We lost a company recently and was so depressed for months I could even pay the bills or do basic things. Thankful to have snapped out of it. Can imagine folks who deal with it for long periods. - I think working out. Taking care of your body. But forcing yourself to move the body. Being around friends. No booze. Need to set a schedule for your self. When I get down, I let my schedule get lazy which makes me more depressed.

[@Vi3ES]

also staying off social media.

[@kjhhkntj]

TMS for the win!

[@lukaslukason]

Hi. Lukas from Denmark, so sorry for errors. It paramonunt to distunguish between a CLINICICAL ENDOGENE DEPRESSION (pathological) and a REACTIVE DEPPRESION (traumatic lifeevent), or simply if you have a SHIT LIFE hehe. The therapeutical approach thus, would be emmensily different. Thank you.

[@kevinroney3055]

I really respect TF, and welcome all of his comments and recommendations. This discussion came across weak, only because of the other voice of this post. If you are feeling pressure of thoughts of suicide, and the comments are, things seem "gray", just stop. You do not understand.

[@sandramedina9482]

TY❤

[@AaronBanks-dq4hr]

I've had a similar experience, depression and bipolar diagnosis. I just got treated for nuerocysticercosis from a tapeworm infection. All my symptoms are going away. Treat yourself for parasites.

[@c.hunter9069]

Just had the same thing, how did you get rid of them?

[@AaronBanks-dq4hr]

@@c.hunter9069 10 mg. ivermectin, 500 mg. fenbendazol, 50 mg. praziquantel, 50 mg. prednisone, 200 mg. carbamazepine 2 times daily. Treat until you see and feel symptoms diminish. It's very important to take the prednisone and carbamazapine, you will have some strong immune reactions and inflammation of the brain as the cysts die.

[@sambonfield3188]

Who is the other guy in this talk?

[@Christina_Hira]

"Nothing built for the glory of man will survive God's scrutiny. But what is done for His glory will endure forever." - R.C. Sproul

[@dmtdreamz7706]

Enlightenment is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute. So the bad news is that you don't have parachute, but the good news is that you discover there is no ground. And then you're just endlessly falling and you never reach the ground. So in a sense, what i'm asking you to do is to jump. And you don't want to jump. You're saying, I'm scared. I'm too scared to jump. And I'm saying, jump. God is telling you, jump, jump into infinite love and it's going to be great. But you're like, what if I kill myself and what if something else happens? I don't know. You just jump into infinite love. Take the leap of faith and you'll discover infinite love. And you're too scared to do it. But then eventually when you do it, then you're just going to discover that there's no ground. You're endlessly falling forever and it's great. But yeah, taking that leap is really difficult. It requires you to face your death. So of course, everybody is too afraid to do it. People are just to scared.

[@FavieOfficial]

And what if we just want the pain to go away and don't believe that consciousness persists after physical death... Perhaps the only thought that can keep one from committing suicide is the awareness of the pain and profound impact it would have on our loved ones. It’s a deeply selfish act, but what about bringing new life into the world without their consent, exposing them to guaranteed suffering? Both actions reflect the significant and challenging responsibilities we bear towards others. Engaging in sports, music, dance, nature, and spending time with animals can do wonders for depression.

[@lucasaguirre]

Thanks for sharing, Favie.

[@FavieOfficial]

@@lucasaguirre ♡

[@Jmc401]

Tim 🙏❤

[@ES-wz6db]

For me it was quitting gluten. It saved my life.

[@TREBLEBOOSTER65]

Both mushrooms and lsd have helped in different ways, but they both teach lessons that won't get through to me in normal life

[@cwwsheepy94]

What about Chris Palmers keto diet ?

[@randomcompilations201]

Read untethered soul by micheal singer

[@healing.buddies]

Huge community of people badly injured by TMS

[@CoachDeependra]

Great 😊

[@PhilipBraselmann]

People need purpose, the more you focus on yourself and think about your problems the more sick you will become. People are undisciplined, selfish and overstimulated. They get what they deserve, depression.

[@emx1409]

I'm sure your comment will have helped a lot of people...well done you 👍🏻🎉

[@PhilipBraselmann]

@@emx1409 They need to stop being enabled, being selfish and consuming all these bad things is not okay!

[@nomad4401]

Thought he was gonna say he took ag1

[@maxaffe3195]

it is sad that there is nothing really for people with schizophrenia. depression there are more things that can be done.

[@Frances270]

❤

[@edouardelens4158]

I gave my life to Jesus Christ and He heals and set me free until complete healing and freedom.

[@andres3725]

Who's the other guy Tim?

[@FavieOfficial]

Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic

[@user-gj4ez6qj2z]

Why is everyone mentally ill nowadays?

[@Gusakiy]

Why would you deal with life long depression? Just cope with it, learn to hurt others for your own pleasure, and continue enjoying your life.

[@trukxelf]

Could it also be capitalism, and this western predicament?

[@blenderguru]

Possibly, but I'm fairly sure depression is also common in China and North Korea.

[@trukxelf]

@@blenderguru They may also be part of the western predicament now

[@WyattFL5]

If it’s lifelong, is it a disorder or just the norm? For example, if everything is awesome, then nothing is awesome. It’s all equal. Maybe some need to accept that it’s not depression and just life.

[@zenstiller8938]

sadly "calling a hotline" doesnt help ...