I cleaned my room today for the first time in months, I'm also doing laundry and I did dishes and took out trash, I'm pretty proud of myself. EDIT: holy cow this has a ton of likes, wow. Thank you all for your kind words, it's been very motivating seeing the replies every so often and I greatly appreciate it. Thank you all once again.

"If you look for the light, you can often find it. But look for the dark and that is all you will ever see." -Iroh

"The problem is that this level of narcissistic idiocy is required for healthy human functioning." I'm glad someone said it. Thank you.

I like how in the end he was like, by the way, you depressed people understand the world better than others who live in a comfortable delusion. But you need to fix that. This is exactly why I'm depressed to begin with.

I appreciated the part about depression realism because my depression is often triggered by frustration and it is SO frustrating to see the world in a negative light but be told “it’s not that bad, just be happy anyway.” That doesn’t help me, it makes me lash out and cling to my depression even more. By acknowledging it, it is a relief, like “yep, ok, I understand and now maybe I can let it go anyway.”

"Depression is like the HIV AIDS of mental illness" 5 seconds into the video and K is already spitting fire

Problem is its easier said than done. I done everything the internet said i should. I started working out, figuring out a passion, trying new hobbies like baking and painting, getting off social media and even joined a basketball community club. But i have never felt more lonely in my life. All these new hobbies i am still on my own. Even basketball, getting there and back and getting food after i am on my own. Never ending cycle

278 days ago I attempted suicide. I had severe depression. After my attempt I completely broke and told myself that even though I failed this time there will be a next time, and I won’t have the strength to pull myself through it. I was my own greatest fear. I couldn’t even confront what was happening to my own mind. I worked incredibly hard on myself, and nothing changed day by day. But now I would hardly say that I’m even depressed. I went to therapy, and I learnt these things about my mind in my own way. I’m content, I’m fully functional and I plan for my own future. I fixed my life and with time, patience and kindness you can improve yourself too.

ive noticed im almost addicted to depressive and “”unaliving”” thoughts. if i’m feeling bad or stressed about something, it feels really good to think about death and dying. usually i can resist, but sometimes i give in and it feels like snoozing an alarm and letting myself fall back into warm sleep, rather than get up and be real about my life (ie think objectively). the pull that it has freaks me out a bit.

One important thing that I personally want to add to a doctor Ks thing at the end about depressive realism is that as I’ve been climbing out of depression, having been in it before, I don’t see the world in this “ignorance of bad things / the world is sunshine and rainbows” delusion, rather, I am able to more accurately see that there are positives as well as there are negatives. So I am privy to all of the horrible things in this life, and they do affect how I feel, but I can now finally feel and be aware of all the positives that there also truly are. So to those that are depressed and feel like they see the world more accurately and don’t want to think that if they become happier they’re going to lose that sense of realism, don’t worry, because you will still be aware of all the shit happening trust me. You will just be a better gauge of reality overall, by recognizing the good that there also is. This has made me more human, more happy and more appreciative of the beauty in my life.

I am disabled with two chronic pain disorders that don’t respond to ANY treatment. I’m in pain 24/7. I’m a middle-aged woman. I lost my dream job and my home. I’m unemployed and looking for work but nobody seems to want to hire me, even though I have qualifications (welcome to being a middle aged woman, it’s fact, not negative perception). I am also looking for a place to live. My entire life has been turned upside down. Any ONE of these factors would be stressful and difficult for someone to deal with. Every time a job falls through or a new home opportunity falls through, it retraumatizes me. I’m trying REALLY hard to not let the depression overtake me. I resent that the insinuation is that I’m not doing enough. This is an immensely difficult time for me and I think anyone would be depressed going through what I’m going through. I’m not just seeing negative things.

Has anyone else been in that situation were you interpret something negatively, and then you actively try to come up with alternative explanations (maybe they have something going on in their life, maybe this doesn't have anything to do with me etc) then later find out it WAS EXACTLY WHAT YOU FEARED IN THE FIRST PLACE? When that happens to me, my mind goes into hypervigilant mode because i never want to assume the positive and later find out that I was wrong. There is nothing worse than false positivity or false hope.

i've been told that i am experiencing "situational depression", except the situations are non-stop. the series that broke me was when my only child died, my 17 year marriage ended and i became homeless. the weird thing is, i'm absolutely capable of finding happiness wherever i am, but i definitely feel held back by the perception that nothing i do really matters, and i'll never have the life i dreamed of, so why bother doing anything? i'm content where i am, but i know i should probably be doing more...... 🥀

this is the kinda therapist i want.. he explains things so well and gives actual solutions 😭😭

I suffered severe depression 18 years ago as a teenage, got addicted to cigarettes and alcohol. Also suffered mental disorder. Not until my mom recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

I breaked out of depression last year. Nothing in my life much changed. I managed to let go. It's a wonderful feeling. It took a few months of not being depressed to realise I'm not depressed. Asking for help and also realising I deserve help. I matter and I'm allowed to ask for help

Perfect timing with it being Sub-Zero temperatures outside. It's hard to not think about yourself or what you've been doing with your life when you're trapped inside.

00:00 🔄 Depression creates a vicious cycle, akin to the HIV/AIDS of mental illness, attacking motivation and leading to further problems in life. 02:35 🧠 Blind spots in perception illustrate how the mind fills gaps with assumptions, a significant issue in depression. 04:14 🤔 Cognitive biases in depression include negative interpretation of ambiguous events, selection bias towards the negative, and overgeneralization of memories. 07:31 🔄 Depression distorts the balance of positive and negative events, leading to an overgeneralized negative self-attitude. 09:53 🔄 Treatment often neglects the perception problem, perpetuating the cycle of depression. 11:44 🧘 Yoga's mental exercises, like the mentality materiality exercise, can train perception and complement traditional treatments. 13:51 🧠 Practicing the mentality materiality exercise involves recognizing the attributes inherent in objects versus the interpretations added by the mind. 16:11 📝 To combat cognitive biases, actively challenge negative interpretations by creating procon lists for perceived negative situations. 18:03 🔄 Overgeneralization can be addressed by seeing things as they truly are through practices like the mentality materiality exercise. 18:15 🔄 Overgeneralization involves excessive self-blame in depression; individuals often perceive everything as about themselves. 19:10 🧠 Ketamine induces dissociation, breaking the cycle of depression; cognitive reframe helps practice removing the "I" from overgeneralized thinking. 20:49 🤔 Overgeneralization thinking links to excessive self-focus; consider external factors in interpretations to break the cycle. 22:13 🧠 Train perception by recognizing and challenging cognitive biases like selection bias, negative interpretation of ambiguity, and overgeneralization. 23:37 ⚖ Depressive realism: Depressed individuals may have a more accurate judgment of the world, but this realism doesn't contribute to a healthy mindset.

This is the first video of yours I watched, and it actually made me cry because it was so accurate to what I go through everyday. It lived rent-free in my head for a week, so I decided to subscribe for more help. Thank you so much for this!

Since 2018, I’ve been through so many hardships, mainly because I was focusing my energy and time on things that were influencing my own depression and childhood trauma. If you take nothing else away from this video, it’s that you are worth the pain that you’ve gone through. The cycle can only truly end when you believe that you are worthy of a better life.

WAKEUP BABE DR K JUST POST ANOTHER VIDEO

I haven’t seen the video yet but i can attest to the title, it’s been 12 years and I’m still depressed. Life will just pass you by if you don’t do anything about it. I hope i can get it together someday. Gonna turn 30 this year

This video couldn’t possibly have come at a better time. I’ve been battling depression for about 10 years now, and it was only until last year that I started taking steps to try and improve my mental health. However, I’ve since fallen back into old habits (overindulgence, negative self-talk, bad diet etc.) and it feels like I’m all the way back to square one. I’d say the most important thing I’ve learned is that the road to recovery requires a sustained, consistent effort. It’s not always possible to fix a problem that has affected you for such a long time and it’s not always going to be easy. You’ve gotta be in it for the long term no matter what.

Very nice one. For the first time in a long time after watching one of these types of vids from you; I can confidently say I am getting better. SO MUCH BETTER. Nowadays I can see my own inaccuracies more clear and correct them to be more biased positively. Even in that Rorschach-esque test I was thinking positive stuff about the eerie photos. Its wild, I never expected myself to grow this much, especially considering I should be categorically depressed as I have been in other years. Nowadays when I slip up I tend not to spiral and instead dust myself off much quicker and accept my mistakes with grace. This is going to be a wonderful year (deluded but on purpose), I hope it will be wonderful for you too dear reader.

The depressive realism sort of hit home for me. I’ve been struggling with depression since late 2020, I’m in therapy now, and I’m trying to piece my life back together. While I’ve always considered myself to be a “realist”, and I really like to be “right”, I had to ask myself- Do I want to be right, or do I want to be happy?

How is your timing always so impeccable? I know I'm not the only one who's saying this. I was literally thinking about how my depression is sort of cyclic

THIS VIDEO CAME AT THE PERFECT TIME! I’m starting therapy today and this helps me tailor my goals from sessions in a more efficient way. Thank you for the wisdom Dr. K, and good luck to everyone watching! ❤️

Okay- I'm only 8 minutes into this video and I can already say, this is eye opening! I absolutely love your teaching style. Adding the visuals was so helpful for me. Definitely subbing!

In my way of breaking way from crippling depression was be creative, change career, and hangout with friends and family. It was hard, but over time it got better, especially with the new year.

I was diagnosed 5 years severe depression, I even considered abort the mission ... The main issue is when you consider that as solution it lingers your mind all time , even today That though show up when i feel really stressed... And is explained here... Yes its a really heavy stone to carry and it can literally crush you to death. Ty for helping

I feel seen and better informed at the same time. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about depression, Dr. K! I hope the people who need to hear this find this video. 😌

I bought Dr. K's guide and it's definitely worth it -- "jumbled" deep feelings have finally been laid out in this guide and it feels like a breath of fresh air / hope in making change, when everything else feels like it's just passing you by. This isn't just another "self help" guide. Even if it hasn't crossed your mind to get it, I'd consider looking into it.

This is one of those videos that feels like it was made exactly for you, like I genuinely think I undestood myself a lot more. Amazing work as always, thank you so much Dr K. Love from Argentina ❤

Just started my second year of working in my career. When winter came my office was cold (exterior wall), I hardly saw people for hours on end, and I did not have good wifi. This with other factors kinda kicked me into a depressive episode that I am still working through. Your videos have helped immensely because yeah I my perception of everything was horrid. All the time people said while I grew up "don't do it adulting sucks". Well it is here, so I am trying to change my perspective to the things I can do.

I've suffered on and off with clinical depression for years, this is a great video explaining it. I recently had the same realisation that one reason for my suffering was my perception of events. I randomly had this epiphany during a phonecall with a man from a dating app, he told me he'd had to move back home from a foreign country after being made redundant and losing his work visa. I knew I'd have been absolutely devastated if that happened to me but he said he just accepted it, got a new job and built his life here instead. From this one phonecall I made some cbt style charts of my own life events and perceptions to help me make sense of it. Since then I've been practising reframing my perception each day. It's difficult because depressive thinking tends to be my default so it takes daily practice. But it seems to be helping me so far. I'm also just so fed up of being depressed and want something better for myself.

well you literally just confirmed everything I was already realizing on my own, thank you, it's incredibly validating and I feel like pieces are falling into place

LOVED this. ❤ Honesty is far more therapeutic than pissing down somebody's back and telling them it's raining.

thanks for the final bit, it was very important to me. adding to it i believe that sometimes when you are neutral or accurate when expressing your perspective, positive people will deny that truth with positivity and it can worse the situation by invalidation.

The last part, about depressive realism, was enlightening. It’s frustrating to “know” that you’re right about something and have others tell you you’re wrong (with good intentions, trying to make me feel better). It’s refreshing to hear that we are often correct, with the added perspective that it can be correct AND overblown. I’ve found everything feels more intense and like an emergency in the moment. Giving myself time to calm down and reevaluate has made a big difference in how I process and feel about issues in life. Thanks for this video!

Just spent my whole day in a spiral of serious depression and actually started this video with tears still in my eyes from the inevitable break down that occurred once I stopped distracting myself. I haven't felt hope in over a month. You just made me feel a little spark of it. Thank you.

I’m starting Spavato (intranasal ketamine derivate medicine) tomorrow for treatment resistant depression. I’ve been looking for videos where you talk about ketamine and depression and couldn’t find one. I have your entire guide and I’m working through it slowly. It’s been wonderful for me. I’ve been a long time subscriber and frequent your livestreams. Thank you so much for everything you and the HG team does. Thank you for improving my life and thank you for posting this video when you did. Still cannot believe it, I don’t believe in signs from the universe but I know your wife can bend the universe to her will. I’m going to allow myself to appreciate this coincidence and be hopeful for treatment to not make me happy, but to put me into a place where I’m not actively pushing away the good in life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I could listen to you all day. You’re full of energy and passion. Always wonderful content. Thank you

I cannot thank this man enough for these videos! They have helped me immensely, thank you for everything you do, Dr. K!

Honestly your video woke me up to understanding my path out of a life long depression. The pices of the puzzle suddenly fell in to the right place, and now i can begin to incorporate this in to my daily life. Thank you.

My best practical advice; Don't sit down. Take thirty minutes just to get out of bed if you need to, but once you are up, stay up. Sitting down is the single worst thing you can do for helping your motivation. Stay standing. Walk. Clean. Organize. Even if you stand around staring at the walls idly, you'll eventually start just... getting things done. And as you gradually gets things done, you will be setting yourself up for a better environment to be healthier.

Sharing your thoughts on depressive realism was really helpful to me. Growing up in a dysfunctional household made it very challenging to understand what a healthy sense of optimism is really like. I learned to distrust bravado and other forms of masking, but really didn’t have a clear sense of what a healthy display of emotion/ enthusiasm/connection should be. Performative happiness? No problem. I was trained to know when I was expected to seem happy and enthusiastic and confident. Authentic self expression? Much more challenging to understand and express.

This was the most clear and accessible explanation I've seen on this. Glad you kept the part on depressive realism as well. It's oddly validating to know you can be accurate in your views on the world but that only having those views is still overall detrimental mentally. Perhaps a measured amount of delusion is actually healthier. Great video. Hugely grateful for the knowledge you consistently share on this channel.

wow... this is a medium length video and yet, it explained what depression is, concise enough that my mind can grasp its jist and not find it too complicated. Plus, all the things I can try to do if I may be have depression in my lifetime. I really appreciate this videos and how our brain

I genuinely needed this video right now. The depression I have at my home, it started leaking into every area of my life and caused frequent distance from friends and shutting down.

I was battling with depression, but one thing my mother told me is to be gratefull of the good things that happen, first you start taking notes of the good things that happen, that way you dont forget, las year my mom was diagnosed with cancer, but I rather than thinking of the problem, I am thankful for all the blessings that have happened to her and made me view life different

You are so right, my parents couldn't see further than themselves and now I do the same. Everything is under a magnifying glass and is about me! This was exceptionally useful video, thank you

I needed this video so badly today. Perfect timing. Thank you so much. I'm also glad my partner was in the room when you were speaking about depressive realism. This is something we've been discussing for years. He has a very resilient mind and a naturally positive mindset where I have the opposite and thus I struggle with poor mental health (developed from child hood trauma). I often question why other people can't see what I see, and my partner would say that it's a defence mechanism. Peoples brains can't comprehend the level of chaos and danger in the world, so their brains keep them blissfully ignorant. I'm so jealous. But this video has given me so much to work on. I'm so thankful.

For me the most important part of healing depression and insecurity is learning to distrust the rational brain that I always rely on. Freeing yourself of insecurity feels like becoming delusional. But then you realize that it‘s not delusional at all and it‘s actually the right way of thinking.

As someone who's been hospitalized for hurting myself twice, I have realized and remembered that life truly has never 'sucked' for me. I made a serious mistake in attempting to hurt myself and I love making up for it so much, even if it's a struggle to always be there for others how I want to be. It was often others around me, even if only humoursly, referring to themselves as depressed or tired, but I only ever communicated those feelings to myself, alone in my room. Maybe they were, are, or will be what they said, but as someone who clinically has been diagnosed as depressed: I am so so very hopeful. There is truly nothing that can bring us down but ourselves in the end, regardless of where you're at or who you are. I'm not tired even if at times I may be fatigued. Sum Spei Bonei. How dare I not try my best every day. If it's tough- it might just make me stronger✌

I love how he is on point about the depression, i have battled the demon on depression for a while and i have improved a lot since pass years, the advice i take to heart is to stop focusing too much on oneself, that has helped me a lot throughout the years+ i pray

Long have I tried to wrangle how I could be so full of narcissistic and self depricating though paterns at the same time You are truly so amazing

The depressive realism topic is a fascinating point. Before I even saw this video just earlier this morning I was saying to myself “how do I fabricate ignorance for myself about the world without being self aware of what I’m trying to do? I envy people who live life with blinders and have zero self awareness to it.” So maybe the goal isn’t to try to fool yourself, but as you said at the very least stop overthinking with a negative bias about situations. Although my perceptions have been validated more than enough times, if you expect everything to happen a certain way from past negative experiences, you *will* be miserable. Even I admit there are times once in awhile I’ve been proven wrong amidst my doom and gloom bias. And as you mentioned, I’m essentially removing the positive when I should embrace it as a reason to be happier and more positive.

Hi Doc... i'm chilean and actually being trying to help my girlfriend with her depression. I just wanted to say that your whole channel has been a huge help for me to understand what is and how to see depression from the outside perspective. I just wish that all this kind of info were available in spanish, as there are not actual psyquiatrist talking about this topics. There's a big problem on mental health(after the covid situation) here in Chile. In the other hand i wanted to thank you as well for helping me see my weed intake in a correct perspective. I've been (ab)using it for over 20 years now. I just quitted like 10 days now and i feel awesome. Now i got my drive and mental stability back(in 10 days i see the big big difference already). Thanks doc!!

WOW! The blind spot finger thing blew my mind. Ive only watched 3:57 minutes of this video, but I see where we’re going. I had to stop the video, because you gave me an a-ha moment. From someone who suffers with depression, I can see how this all ties in together. The brain totally makes shit up all the time. Our mind fills in the gaps of our “blind spots” just like it does with the blind spots in our vision. Fascinating, and so true. I can’t wait to watch the rest. I just came across this video out of nowhere. Im glad, because you already have a new subscriber. I’m in! 🤗

Watching your videos this past few years has really helped me reflect and be more sympathetic but also accountable for myself. Recently my disassociation is breaking because I'm finally in a safe setting and so I'm having to actually address my thoughts; it's really hard to let my brain go without spiraling so I haven't been able to. I'm starting therapy soon, but the exercise you shared is something I think I direly need. I remember being a child before the bad and having so many thoughts on the world, I was naturally inquisitive and determined so my interests became things I became very engrossed in and I learned many things as a kid; my inner track became bad so I couldn't focus on reality and learn anything and then it went quiet for a long time. I want to get back to myself who loves to learn about the world

The thing I'd heard about depressive realism is that the best perceptions are on the edge of depression - that being full-on depressed really does distort things but maybe normal sunny optimism distorts things more.

One misperception I have is that I think everything I do will take an hour at least. I attribute this to my adhd, and I'm trying to get better at just doing things and not havin to put a whole day aside just to do it. Thank you for reminding me if that even if it's not related to the topic of this video😅.

As someone who has never gotten much out of talk therapy, but did get some help from CBT... This is one of it best discussions of depression I've ever heard. I've heard allot it before but never so clear, comcise and comprehensive

I love you Dr K I love how you understand and explain and provide a solution it’s none of this waffle you usually see on KZfaq, thank you so much

Really needed this one today. I'm at the point in the cycle where I start to lose all my friends again. I hate it when this happens. It gets harder to find all new friends every time.

i've overcome (most of) my depression and i'm a psych grad/neuroscience student and wow, dr k words it so incredibly well. i've tried explaining this to people and never am as eloquent as dr k

As a first time dog mom with a dog who will be 9 this year I am in the same boat with you. It is all new as they age and change. So thanks for sharing your Link update because it’s made me feel less alone.

It is so refreshing to watch a one shot of somebody talk. What more i understand my depression better. What insights. I love your videos.

I'm 33. I don't care about likes. Just getting this out there hoping you will read this... This is the first day in my life I thought I will end my life down the road no matter what. In 15-20 years' time at the very least. I have been fighting hard in life and I keep on failing. Every single time. It's like that Moria scene from LOTR... "We cannot get out. We cannot get out. Drums in the deep. We cannot get out." I keep on joking about how you can always read my mind somehow and here I am. You are a godsend and you have done wonders for my mental since stumbling upon your videos two years ago. Thank you so much, Dr K. Sending blessings your way. 💞💞

Your channel is genuinely changing lives

I am glad that you included depressive reality, so kudos to you for taking a chance to share it

Thanks a lot for adding the last point. Now it makes complete sense. I have been seeing a therapist and I struggle with the thing that actually my perceptions are telling me more accurate information which I can confirm by real results on day to day basis then why I should change the perception. You gave the most clear and honest answer. "Because a healthy mind needs this level of idiocy". That was the most important part of the video which is not covered in most talks on depression.

I think this single video seriously helped me further then years of therapy have. My therapists would get angry (i just realised they probably are not as angry as my mind says, thanks video!) because after a while i still saw the world so negative. Now i kinda understand why i see things negatively, and that makes it easier to play along with what feels like lying to myself that the world is better then i see it.

I haven't watched this video because I think I don't need it anymore, but just putting this here if it helps anyone at all: The thing that helped me the most is just try changing as many aspects of your life as possible. Usually you don't have control over the stuff that sucks, but even the small stuff helps. Maybe try changing universities, and if that's not feasible, change the route you take to go to universities. It could be just that. You need to get out of the loop that you're in, living the same day everyday. You need to give your brain new inputs, new challenges, new things to live for. Maybe brush your teeth in the balcony instead of the bathroom, maybe go one a 2 minute walk in the morning, start playing a competitive game/sport. I know it's not as easy as I'm making it seem, but you need to start small. You need to wake up and just change one thing about your day, no matter how small. Then another the next day, and the next, and so on. Before you know it you have a completely different life and you have so many things to worry about that maybe, just maybe you might postpone thinking about dying or why you're alive for a couple hours, maybe even a day or two. Your brain needs other things to associate your identity with than depression. You need other things to do than think about being depressed. Eventually that day or two becomes a week, then a month. Then one day you will wake up and realise you haven't thought about any of that stuff in well over a year. You will have stopped associating depression with your identity, you will have made new friends, have new hobbies, maybe have a completely different life. Surely it's noticeable to the people around you. That is the day you will never look back. Start small. You WILL get there.

Just WOW! This really helped me understand my circle I’m stuck in and how I perceive myself. I might be able to change if I listen to this on a regular basis! Thank you!!! ❤

This is the best video I’ve seen about this topic so far!

Without Dr.K and his profoundly insightful talks I know I wouldn’t be as mentally well as I am right now. I didn’t watch this video, nor do I feel the need to. That realization made me cry tears of joy.

That left eye closed looking to the left finger is kinda next level explantation Sir Dr. K!

this video made me cry. thank you for the help dr k

The ending actually makes the whole argument better. As a depressed person, I see the world as it is (mostly), the thing is, positivity is a skill to practice.

that last part about depressive realism is the hardest part about it. even the idea of eventually feeling happy/good is tainted by the understanding that it would more or less be "successful coping" than anything more

I'm starting to question everything I've ever known as a result of conspiratorial thought being pushed onto me from childhood. I feel as though I'm crawling out of my depression slowly, but surely, but then, I don't have a frame of reference. In other words... Ya dropped this at the perfect time, Dr. K. 💖❤💖

It's the first time I'm watching a video with so much valuable info for battling depression. Thank you, doc! You're the best!

I just love how he boils it down to altering the perception. Very useful

I had depression before, One of the best mindset you can do during these time is being appreciative on everything. At least you can eat sleep work decently. Some people have nothing

I am simply far too weak to even begin to break out of the cycle. I can only rot for another 50 years of misery because I am too much of a coward to end my life :(

The part in the end hit me, but still going to practice the exercises, finding your channel have helped me a lot since i was thinking a year ago to let go of life, now i meditate and started reding books, even trying to find my ikigai despite the odds, thank you very much Dr. K

This video is 2 days old so you probably wont see this, but thank you for saving me and my relationship, I've watched every video that seemed to be my problems and you've helped me identify each issue and how to over come them ❤

So what about people who are only depressed because of that depressive realism (in other words, they don't hate themselves, but feel awfully hopeless about the world around them), but don't have the capability to just turn it off and see the world with that necessary "narcissistic idiocy"? Are they just doomed to be miserable their whole life?

Tripping is not really bad but find a good mycologist Who will teach you the right things you need to know

I'm currently doing my internship as a Substance Abuse Counselor and the information, and how you presented it, is invaluable! I'm so grateful to you for providing this resource!

I'm so grateful that I found this channel. Thank you.

My depression is so bad, and has been going on for so long, that I don't know wtf the "inciting event" even is/was...I believe there's several, though. I'm dying to break this cycle, quite literally.

I think that, as we cultivate greater mindfulness/awareness, we’re able to better weigh the pros and cons of ambiguous phenomena, but that certain traumatic experiences stay in our physiology in a way thats purely negative. The best way to approach the problem, at least in my experience, has been to identify primarily with the balanced mind, and very slowly feel those traumatic feelings so that the information they contain can be released from the body and enter into dialogue with the calmer, nuanced part of ourselves. Takes an incredible amount of patience and willingness to experience peaks and valleys, but genuine progress is possible.

I have been spiritually and probably clinically depressed as well as for unknown reasons very sad since I was a child from a 20 foot pier fall. This gentleman has explained perfectly what my depressed mind/brain has been doing to me for decades through various situations. Thank you so much. Now I have a better idea of what to do for constructive metal health.

Hey thank you for everything you do for this community. Been following and watching your content for a couple years now One thing I just observed is that your mic audio has an excessive amount of low end which makes it hard to understand in a busy environment without turning the volume completely to the max. An easy fix would be to use an EQ to boost the upper frequencies (or cut the lows and then boost the overall volume) which would make it easier for the audio to cut through the noise. EQ should exist in virtually any audio and video editing software Wishing you all the best 🙏🏽

See. The thing said at the end is exactly the frustration that I run into when trying to fix the thought patterns I have. In the last 6 months: -My gf used me to build a house then ditched me -I lost my job and had no income for 3 months -I had to take a worse paying job, start working nights, much longer commute, more hours. Still less income -my transmission went out and cost me 6200 dollars (I had to take my 401k retirement money to survive -then I became hospitalized from apparently a panic attack. Now those bills (even though I’m insured, go America) are piling on top of everything else. My point is… how is this reframing of the mind even remotely possible when the realist in me can plainly see… my life and my circumstances just do suck. I feel depressed because everything IS shit. I can’t pretend it isn’t.

I have no idea why, but within the last year I have: -started therapy -reduced my anxiety dramatically -self learned math from algebra 1 up to calc 2 now -got accepted to an aerospace engineering BS program -saved an extra 15k for emergency funds -improved diet and lost 20 pounds My behavior just 360’d all around. I went from a lazy lying criminal (not petty, serious crime) to a fairly well-adjusted normal guy. Wish I had any information to share about what specifically helped me but I don’t know. I only say all of this to affirm that if I can do it in my mid-20s, then I believe a very vast majority of you can also do it. I was probably doing much worse across most dimensions of life than many people who currently feel doomed.

You've helped me out so much doc. Thank you for giving people like me a voice and continuing to spread awareness.

This is actually so helpful. Thank you!