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
Apr 22, 2024 • 15min
Why We Cannot Simply “Choose Happiness” (And What We CAN Choose!)
Exploring the futility of forcing emotions, the podcast discusses how commands to 'cheer up' can be invalidating. It emphasizes the ineffectiveness of trying to switch emotions at will and the importance of addressing root causes. The impact of suppressing negative thoughts without acknowledging their source is explored, along with the influence of factors on emotional states. Behavioral choices are highlighted as a way to navigate emotional states and promote positivity.
Apr 18, 2024 • 13min
Why Doing Nothing Is Dangerous For Rumination (Default Mode Explained)
Learn about the frustrating nature of brain rumination and how it impacts mental energy. Discover strategies to minimize rumination by engaging in high-stimulation activities. Find out the dangers of doing nothing and the importance of directing mental energy for positive focus.
Apr 15, 2024 • 22min
If You Have Failed Time And Time Again, Try This (Hard Reset Your Life)
Explore the idea of needing a fresh start, struggles with persona and self-discovery, reflecting on past choices through music and nature, embracing authenticity, and reorienting life towards authenticity in this deep introspective podcast.
Apr 11, 2024 • 15min
How To Have A Healthy Relationship With Your Emotions
Explore the value of emotions, how to navigate them for healthier relationships, understanding complex emotions, promoting emotional validation for better relationships, and practical tools for dealing with depression and anxiety.
Apr 10, 2024 • 16min
Please Don't Ever Give Up
Exploring the controversial case of a young woman facing euthanasia due to severe mental health conditions, the importance of not internalizing negativity related to mental health, personal battle with hopelessness and finding light in dark moments, the dynamic nature of life and enacting change to influence outcomes, shortcomings of the mental health profession and the responsibility for lack of adequate support.
Apr 8, 2024 • 13min
How I Keep My Life Focused On My Mental Health
Explore how organizing life around foundational aspects, not just important ones, can prevent total system failure. Learn about structuring daily life for mental health, utilizing a productivity app like SunSama, and embracing routine for stability and emotional well-being.
5 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 20min
How I Keep Going In The Face Of Total Apathy And Anhedonia (Apathyception)
Explore strategies for overcoming apathy and anhedonia in mental health journeys. Learn how to navigate dark periods and stay productive. Discover the power of proactive choices and shifting perspectives. Embrace action-oriented goal setting for resilience.
Apr 1, 2024 • 27min
3 Reasons Why Getting Better Can Feel Worse
Exploring why improving mental health doesn't always lead to feeling better emotionally, the podcast discusses the emergence of non-pathological feelings and vulnerability. It breaks down three reasons for this phenomenon and offers practical tools for navigating life with depression and anxiety. The speaker emphasizes the challenges of managing change, expectations in mental health recovery, fear of progress, and understanding 'lifestyle creep'.
Mar 28, 2024 • 25min
Stop Telling Yourself Stories That Hurt You
Explore how self-induced emotional stress can be managed easily by understanding the factors of objective and subjective stress. Learn practical tools for decreasing emotional pain and organizing mental health goals. Discover the influence of beliefs on perceptions of events and how detaching negative stories from experiences can reduce suffering. Emphasizing the importance of exploring multiple perspectives for understanding life events.
11 snips
Mar 25, 2024 • 17min
How to tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy social withdrawal
Exploring the challenges introverted individuals face in navigating social interactions and the importance of distinguishing between healthy solitude and unhealthy isolation. The podcast provides insights on maintaining a balance between recharging in solitude and engaging socially, with practical tools for managing mental health goals.
