

The Psychology of Depression and Anxiety - Dr. Scott Eilers
Scott Eilers
There are people who understand depression and anxiety on a personal level and there are people who understand depression and anxiety on a medical level. There are relatively few people who understand both, and I’m one of them. As a clinical psychologist I have a doctorate degree and thousands of hours of professional experience providing treatment for mood and anxiety disorders. I also have 39 years of personal experience managing mood and anxiety disorders as I myself deal with these struggles. This podcast is my attempt to synthesize my personal knowledge with my professional knowledge.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 6, 2025 • 15min
Why You Can Never Force Yourself To Do Anything
Ever been stuck in that cycle where the more you pressure yourself to start, the less you actually get done? You tell yourself to “just do it,” but your brain shuts down instead — and the guilt hits even harder.In this video, I explain why that happens, what the Yerkes–Dodson Law has to do with your motivation, and how lowering the pressure (not raising it) might actually be the key to getting things done.Get my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles.Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly.3 Unique ways to work with meDramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.My book: For When Everything is BurningThe caffeine-lite option for long-term boost in mood, cognition, motivation and stress management.Use Code SCOTT20 for 20% of your order.Connect with me on TikTokConnect on InstagramDisclaimer: This content is not intended to be a replacement for receiving treatment. It is purely educational in nature. My relationship with you is that of presenter and audience, not therapist and client.But I do care.

Sep 29, 2025 • 17min
Why Do So Many People With Depression Not Get Better In Therapy?
Explore the crucial connection between brain health and emotional well-being. Learn about three emotional ranges and why many get stuck in a cycle of negativity. Discover how physical health factors—like sleep, nutrition, and exercise—impact your ability to find joy. Gain insights into the role of the prefrontal cortex and why medications often provide only temporary relief. Uncover actionable strategies to enhance your brain's functioning and truly prepare for meaningful therapy.

Sep 22, 2025 • 20min
If You Don’t Know How To Stop Having Panic Attacks, Please Watch This Video
Stress less, sleep more, and live better with Calm. Use code drscott for 40% off your Calm premium subscription today.Panic attacks don’t just end when they’re over—they leave you living in fear of the next one. And that fear? It actually makes panic attacks more likely.In this video, I break down the vicious cycle of panic attacks—and why trying not to have one often backfires. More importantly, you’ll learn practical, science-based tools to recover faster and reduce their grip on your life.

Sep 15, 2025 • 29min
How To Operationalize Your Mental Health
Feeling lost in therapy? Dive into an insightful discussion on building a clear roadmap for mental health. Discover how to treat your life like a research project by focusing on time, energy, attention, and money. Learn practical strategies to audit and redirect your time to support recovery. Dr. Scott emphasizes the importance of managing physical and mental energy, directing attention to positive aspects, and investing wisely in long-term well-being. Get ready to empower your mental health journey with actionable steps!

Sep 8, 2025 • 35min
13 Controversial Opinions About Therapy
I became a therapist because I believed the field could change lives. Then I saw how it actually works behind the curtain—and realized why so many clients feel stuck. In this episode, I share 13 controversial truths about therapy, why many “standard” approaches fall flat, and what actually helps when you’re depressed, anxious, or barely holding it together.Thanks to Grow Therapy for sponsoring this video! Get my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles.Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly.3 Unique ways to work with meDramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.My book: For When Everything is BurningThe caffeine-lite option for long-term boost in mood, cognition, motivation and stress management.Use Code SCOTT20 for 20% of your order.Connect with me on TikTokConnect on InstagramDisclaimer: This content is not intended to be a replacement for receiving treatment. It is purely educational in nature. My relationship with you is that of presenter and audience, not therapist and client.But I do care.

Sep 1, 2025 • 29min
Your Anxiety Routine Is Ruining Your Life - Here’s 6 Ways To Stop It
Proud to team up with Get Joy! Their Freeze Dried Raw meals are crafted for better digestion, more energy, and happier days together because joy starts from within. Feeling trapped in rigid routines because of anxiety? You’re not alone—and you’re not “broken.” In this video, I break down why anxiety-driven planning spirals (from route-mapping the grocery store to pre-writing every social reply) quietly steal your time, energy, and self-trust—and how to get your life back.What you’ll learnHow anxiety routines (not just OCD) become mental “time thieves”The hidden cost: why over-planning convinces you you’re incompetent6 practical ways to loosen anxiety’s grip:Care for something beyond yourselfTake action before you feel “ready” (graded exposure)“Finish the story” behind your fearIntentionally disrupt the routine (safe, small experiments)Lean on universal coping tools (mindfulness, breath work, PMR, prayer/mantras)Build a receipts file of times you handled it just fineGet my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles.Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly.3 Unique ways to work with meDramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.My book: For When Everything is BurningConnect with me on TikTokConnect on InstagramDisclaimer: This content is not intended to be a replacement for receiving treatment. It is purely educational in nature. My relationship with you is that of presenter and audience, not therapist and client.But I do care.

Aug 25, 2025 • 23min
So You Ruined Your Life; Now What?
Thanks to Grow Therapy for sponsoring this video! Head to their site to learn more and book a session!Your life can feel like it’s falling apart—sometimes because of bad luck, but other times because of your own choices. I’ve ruined my life multiple times…and rebuilt it. In this video, I share 7 practical strategies for putting your life back together when you’ve hit rock bottom.Get my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles.Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly.3 Unique ways to work with meDramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.My book: For When Everything is BurningConnect with me on TikTokConnect on InstagramDisclaimer: This content is not intended to be a replacement for receiving treatment. It is purely educational in nature. My relationship with you is that of presenter and audience, not therapist and client.But I do care.

Aug 18, 2025 • 29min
The 6 Lies The World Tells You And How To Talk Back To Them
Explore six powerful misconceptions that shape our mental health and keep us trapped in anxiety. Challenge the just world fallacy and see how personal struggles don't always stem from individual actions. Understand that success isn't solely about hard work but also strategic leverage. Confront self-doubt by reflecting on common toxic beliefs, and reassess how much control we really have over our lives. Embrace the importance of imperfect progress, learning from failures, and taking action amidst uncertainty.

Aug 11, 2025 • 36min
15 Things You Should Never Do When You’re Depressed
Discover the complexities of depressive episodes that arise without clear triggers. Learn critical mistakes to avoid during these tough times, including the importance of maintaining personal values. Explore how sleep, daily activities, and media consumption can significantly impact mood. Hear about the dangers of substance use and the benefits of positive engagement like music and comedy. Transform your struggles into hope with practical strategies for emotional healing and resilience.

Aug 4, 2025 • 19min
Your brain is trolling you; here’s how to make it stop
Your brain doesn't care about your happiness at all. I explain why our survival-focused minds sabotage positive change.Our brains prioritize predictability over progress every single time. Research shows our brains constantly change through neuroplasticity, yet resist beneficial transformations.This video reveals how to shrink toxic belief systems. I share practical strategies for accurate thought classification daily.Get my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles.Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly.3 Unique ways to work with meDramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.My book: For When Everything is BurningThe caffeine-lite option for long-term boost in mood, cognition, motivation and stress management.Use Code SCOTT20 for 20% of your order.Connect with me on TikTokConnect on InstagramDisclaimer: This content is not intended to be a replacement for receiving treatment. It is purely educational in nature. My relationship with you is that of presenter and audience, not therapist and client.But I do care.