Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson
Living with Depression with Dr. Scott Eilers
May 12, 2025
Forrest chats with Dr. Scott Eilers, a licensed psychologist and author specializing in treatment-resistant mood disorders. They dive deep into Dr. Eilers’ personal journey with chronic depression and discuss anhedonia, the challenge of treatment resistance, and the importance of emotional budgeting. The conversation explores creating new practices even when motivation is low and the healing power of acceptance. They also touch on the intertwining of humor and mental health, along with strategies to foster resilience and self-discovery.
01:15:26
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Chronic depression often presents as an emotional numbness that can mislead individuals about the quality of their lives.
- Acceptance is crucial for managing depression, emphasizing symptom management over complete remission to improve overall well-being.
Deep dives
Understanding Depression
Depression manifests in various forms, often presenting as a hollow or empty feeling detached from external circumstances. For many, it can emerge episodically, triggered by stressors or sometimes with no clear cause, leading to confusion and disorientation. Individuals may find that despite appearing to have a good life, they struggle with a lack of enjoyment, connection, or motivation. Recognizing these patterns can help differentiate between short-term sadness and a more chronic depressive state.
