Living with Depression with Dr. Scott Eilers
I am joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Scott Eilers to explore how he both treats and lives with chronic depression. We discuss anhedonia, the catch-22 of treatment resistance, how to build new practices when it’s the last thing you want to do, acceptance, and how a values-based approach can help someone move forward even when they’re feeling stuck. The conversation touches on some of the existential aspects of depression, the therapeutic relationship, and finding some humor along the way.
About Our Guest: Dr. Scott Eilers is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and mental health coach specializing in severe, treatment-resistant mood and anxiety disorders. He is the author of For When Everything Is Burning and hosts the podcast The Psychology of Depression and Anxiety.
You can watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
0:00: Introduction
1:25: Scott’s personal experience of depression
5:45: Distinguishing sadness from depression, and depression vs. a depressing life
9:25: Choosing action, and emotional budgeting
19:10: Symptoms as obstacles, and when to establish new practices
24:45: Navigating emotional numbness, and creating rewarding experiences
31:30: Loneliness, and the struggle to be witnessed
37:45: Accepting how things are, and aiming for better instead of perfect
46:10: Finances, and disenchantment with therapy
48:35: AI therapy
54:30: Finding out who you are and what you care about
59:15: Humor, sarcasm, and snarkiness
1:02:50: Recap
Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.
Sponsors
Head to fastgrowingtrees.com/BEINGWELL to get 15% off the best deals for your yard. Use BEINGWELL at checkout, and take advantage of their Alive and Thrive Guarantee!
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell.
Go to ZOE.com and find out what ZOE Membership could do for you. Use code WELL10 to get 10% off membership.
Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BEINGWELL at https://www.oneskin.co/
Connect with the show: