The Psychology of Depression and Anxiety - Dr. Scott Eilers

Head to https://huel.yt.link/lEnX8Jo and & use SCOTT20 to get 20% off your first order of the High Protein Starter Kit!If you struggle with suicidal thoughts, you’ve probably asked the scariest question: “Which version of me is real?” In this video, I explain why suicidal ideation is not a character reveal—and how to tell the difference between intrusive thoughts, impulsive thoughts, and the deeper desire underneath both.We’ll talk about why suicidal thoughts often mean “I want the pain to stop” (not “I want to be dead”), how over-identifying with these thoughts makes them stronger, and the practical biological levers (sleep + nutrition) that can reduce intensity and frequency.If my podcast has helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeperNext Steps:📩 Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly.About me:I know what it is to feel hopelessly stuck and worthless to the world in general. I also know what it is to live without those feelings. I’m both a Clinical Psychology specializing in treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, and a human who has spent more than a decade managing sever depression and anxiety.Mental Health Coaching with meTherapy with me (for people in Iowa)Find me on YouTubeResources🪣 Get my free 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles.😴 Dramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.📖 My 1st book: For When Everything is BurningDisclaimer: 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.

If my podcast has helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeper2025 was one of the hardest years of my life—but it taught me lessons I wouldn’t have learned any other way. In this video, I break down the 14 most important insights that came from pain, mistakes, and hard-earned clarity—and how I’m applying them in 2026.This isn’t motivational fluff or “new year, new you” advice. It’s an honest reflection on emotional health, discipline, relationships, identity, and what actually leads to a life that feels sustainable.Next Steps:📩 Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly.About me:I know what it is to feel hopelessly stuck and worthless to the world in general. I also know what it is to live without those feelings. I’m both a Clinical Psychology specializing in treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, and a human who has spent more than a decade managing sever depression and anxiety.Mental Health Coaching with meTherapy with me (for people in Iowa)Find me on YouTubeResources🪣 Get my free 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles.😴 Dramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.📖 My 1st book: For When Everything is BurningDisclaimer: 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.

Head to https://huel.yt.link/tUoz2cs and & use SCOTT20 to get 20% off your first order of $75+ !Most people don’t get stuck in therapy because they’re not trying.They get stuck because they misunderstand the timeline.Mental health change isn’t like turning a steering wheel and instantly seeing results—it’s more like steering a massive ship. The lag between effort and improvement is longer than you think, and that delay is where people quit… right before the payoff.In this episode, I explain:- Why effective therapy skills often feel “useless” at first- How impatience keeps you cycling through tools without using any long enough to work- Why quick fixes (alcohol, porn, shopping, gambling, etc.) feel tempting—and why they backfire- The mindset shift that makes therapy skills actually stick- A practical way to commit to skills without obsessing over results- If you’ve ever thought, “I tried that and it didn’t work,” this is for you.Next Steps: If my videos have helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeperhttps://bit.ly/DrScottLightBetweentheLeavesYT📩 Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly. https://bit.ly/SelfHopePsychologyDepression and Anxiety resource:🪣 Get my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles. https://bit.ly/DrScottBucketTheory♥︎ 2 Unique ways to work with me - https://drscotteilers.com😴 Dramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.https://www.drscotteilers.com/resources#how-to-sleep-better📖 My book: For When Everything is Burninghttps://bit.ly/forwheneverythingisburning Disclaimer: 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.

Head to https://huel.yt.link/O6TCyKx and & use SCOTT10 to get 20% off your first order of $75+!Minimum spend required. New customers only. #adIf you have intense mood swings but bipolar disorder or major depression never quite felt like the right fit, this video may explain why. I break down Cyclothymic Disorder—a commonly overlooked mood disorder that causes chronic emotional highs and lows without full manic or depressive episodes.We’ll cover symptoms, common misdiagnoses, and evidence-based treatments so you can better understand what’s happening—and what actually helps stabilize your mood.If my videos have helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeperhttps://bit.ly/DrScottLightBetweentheLeavesYTNext Steps: 📩 Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly. https://bit.ly/SelfHopePsychologyDepression and Anxiety resource:🪣 Get my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles. https://bit.ly/DrScottBucketTheory♥︎ 2 Unique ways to work with me - https://drscotteilers.com😴 Dramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.https://www.drscotteilers.com/resources#how-to-sleep-better📖 My book: For When Everything is Burninghttps://bit.ly/forwheneverythingisburning Disclaimer: 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.

Thanks to Grow Therapy for sponsoring this episode! Head to to the site to find your estimate and get started today!If you’ve never felt like a “people person,” this video is for you. I break down the practical strategies I’ve used to function in society without pretending to love it—or becoming someone I’m not.This isn’t about becoming social, charismatic, or likable. It’s about surviving—and occasionally enjoying—human interaction when your default setting is avoidance.If my videos have helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeperhttps://bit.ly/DrScottLightBetweentheLeavesYTNext Steps: 📩 Get Practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety, delivered weekly. https://bit.ly/SelfHopePsychologyDepression and Anxiety resource:🪣 Get my 5-day guide to reclaiming your time and energy despite mental health struggles. https://bit.ly/DrScottBucketTheory♥︎ 2 Unique ways to work with me - https://drscotteilers.com😴 Dramatically improve your sleep in 2 steps with my new Sleep Workbook.https://www.drscotteilers.com/resources#how-to-sleep-better📖 My book: For When Everything is Burninghttps://bit.ly/forwheneverythingisburning Disclaimer: 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.

Explore the essence of resilience, focusing on how it's built over time rather than summoned by willpower. Learn to stop the paralysis of overthinking by abandoning the need for constant understanding. Find out why tackling challenges fosters real confidence and how noticing your wins can combat self-doubt. Discover the importance of purpose, strong relationships, and maintaining a healthy brain. Lastly, shift your mindset by asking better questions and accepting life's impermanence.

Discover why we often overlook the value of what we have until it's gone. Explore practical techniques to enhance appreciation, from treating moments as if they’re the last to imagining the cost of cherished experiences. Learn to replicate the emotional states that made past moments special rather than trying to recreate them. Dive into humorous exercises like asking an imaginary butler for reminders and take inventory of what truly matters in life. Transform your outlook and embrace gratitude today!

Explore the surprising ways depression manifests, regardless of success or stability. Delve into the complex relationship between fame, addiction, and mental health. Discover how purpose and connection can uplift even in dire circumstances. Learn why discipline needs meaning, and how unyielding self-discipline can backfire. Dr. Eilers shares personal insights on recovery and the challenges of accessing care in today's mental health system. Reflect on the nuances of social connections, and how substances may promise connection but often fall short.

Holidays can be tough on mental health, but you're not alone in feeling this way. Discover strategies for managing family stress, loneliness, and seasonal pressures. Learn the importance of setting boundaries and budgeting emotional energy to avoid burnout. Embrace new traditions and find joy in unexpected places, like a cozy Thanksgiving at McDonald's. Protect your routines with good sleep and nutrition while minimizing social media exposure. Remember, it's okay to step away and take breaks—prioritize your well-being!

Discover the complexities of PTSD and how it differs from Complex PTSD. Learn about the neurobiology behind trauma and how it affects the body and brain. Delve into symptom categories and the often-misunderstood triggers that can provoke PTSD responses. Effective treatments like EMDR and TF-CBT are discussed, along with practical self-regulation tools you can start using right now. Plus, find out why context matters in diagnosis and how modifying your environment can aid in recovery.