The Edit Alaverdyan Podcast Bill Leavitt: Understanding Depression and Finding Your Power | The Edit Alaverdyan Podcast #49
"Depression is anger turned inward." These powerful words from therapist Bill set the tone for a transformative conversation about understanding and healing from depression. Far from the clinical definitions most of us are familiar with, Bill offers a deeply human perspective—depression as an "ongoing war with yourself" that manifests in both psychological patterns and physical symptoms.
Through the lens of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we explore how negative thought patterns trap us in cycles of depression. The "shoulds" we impose on ourselves, catastrophic thinking, and the belief that nothing will ever change form the foundation of depression's grip. Bill shares how these patterns can be disrupted through several powerful interventions, including letter-writing (with the therapeutic ritual of burning the letters afterward), the Gestalt empty chair technique, and a fascinating exercise involving your non-dominant hand that literally rewires neural pathways.
The conversation takes unexpected turns as we discuss how COVID-19 created a perfect storm for depression by forcing people to confront years of unprocessed emotions. We examine the surprising power of changing how we refer to people who trigger us—replacing emotionally-charged names like "Mom" or "Dad" with their actual first names creates psychological distance and helps reclaim personal power. This leads to a profound redefinition of power itself: "The more options you have, the more powerful you are."
Perhaps most compelling is the discussion about gratitude as an intervention for depression. Not as a superficial platitude but as a deliberate practice that shifts our focus from what's missing to what's present. From Viktor Frankl's insights about finding freedom even in the most harrowing circumstances to the ongoing challenge of taking responsibility for our mental health, this conversation offers both compassionate understanding and practical wisdom for anyone touched by depression—whether personally or through someone they love.