Sick Not Weak: Michael Landsberg on Depression, Medication, and Breaking Stigma

What does it mean to be sick, not weak? In this candid conversation, broadcaster and mental health advocate Michael Landsberg shares his personal journey with anxiety and depression—and the power of naming depression as an illness, not a weakness.

Michael speaks openly about his early struggles with anxiety, the turning point when depression took hold at age 40, and how seeking help from a psychiatrist became his “first step back toward the light.” Together, we explore the stigma around antidepressants, how to support someone who resists treatment, and why sharing our stories can shorten the suffering for others.

If you’ve ever questioned whether depression is “real” or struggled with the idea of taking medication, this episode is for you.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why depression is an illness, not a weakness
• The stigma around antidepressants and how to counter it
• Michael’s early struggles with anxiety and later depression
• Why many people delay treatment for years
• The slow and subtle way depression takes over daily life
• The importance of friends and family noticing changes
• How openness and shared stories empower others
• Balancing honesty about medication benefits and challenges

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome and episode introduction
 01:22 - Listener question about resistance to antidepressants
 02:28 - Why sharing openly about medication matters
 03:11 - Personal reflections on using antidepressants
 04:29 - Michael Landsberg’s early experiences with anxiety
 05:48 - The insecurity of wondering if symptoms are “real”
 06:20 - Depression at age 40 and the phrase sick not weak
06:45 - Why depression often goes unrecognized for years
08:33 - Michael’s first psychiatrist appointment as a turning point
09:14 - The importance of early recognition and intervention
10:45 - Subtle changes that signal depression
11:10 - How loved ones can notice and start supportive conversations
12:05 - The loss of joy as a marker of depression
13:33 - Why we feel alone when millions share this struggle
14:05 - The power of sharing openly about mental health
15:14 - Putting words to experiences for the first time
16:16 - Closing thoughts and preview of part two

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