Giving Voice to Depression

A Giving Voice to Depression podcast listener, who had never spoken publicly about his history or struggles, shares several powerful and memorable metaphors for the experience of living with depression. Wait for the spreadsheet comment- it alone is worth the 16 minutes it takes to listen to this episode!

You don't have to have depression to be familiar with the cycles of negative thoughts; self shame, blame, doubt and self-criticism. Guest and author Dr. Steven C. Hayes explains how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help "get out of your mind and into your life." In his workbook by that name, Dr. Hayes defines the ACT process as one that hinges on the distinction between pain and suffering." In it, and this episode he helps us "learn to let go of your struggle against pain, assess your values, and then commit to acting in ways that further those values." It's 21-minutes that could help you regain control over your controlling thoughts. https://stevenchayes.com/about/

Michelle was told that getting professional help for her mental illnesses would be a stain on her "permament record" that would prevent her from getting into a prestigious college or worse (in her parents' minds) from finding a husband. So her bipolar disorder and anxiety went undiagnosed and untreated for decades. Michelle's story is one of stigma, unnecessary pain and ultimate recovery. Michelle's article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-american-mental-illness_n_5cacad09e4b02e7a705dae97 Michelle's Blog: http://www.livingwellhappily.com/

She knew something was wrong. That she was "different." At times she could not distinguish reality from her troubled thoughts. She begged her parents to bring her to a professional to get help. But they were afraid a diagnosis of mental illness would prevent her from getting into a good college or from finding a husband. So she suffered. Michelle Yang's story is a powerful and important one. Recovery does not happen in the shameful dark. Michelle's Blog: http://www.livingwellhappily.com/ Michelle's article we referenced: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/asian-american-mental-illness_n_5cacad09e4b02e7a705dae97

We frequently hear about the high-risk groups for COVID-19. Less attention is paid to the people most likely to have their mental health challenged by the pandemic. Healthcare workers are high on that list. A hospital chaplain/spiritual-care specialist gives us a look behind the curtain at what she sees in the Wisconsin hospitals she's worked in during this strange, historic time. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/07/coronavirus-special-mental-health-disaster/613510/ https://time.com/5817435/covid-19-mental-health-coronavirus/

This pandemic has been a roller-coaster. Many of us had our depression and anxiety worsen as a result of the many changes to our daily lives. Now, as our world begin to reopen, there are new stressors and concerns. In this 19-minute episode, we talk with therapist Sa'Aire Salton who challenges businesses to encourage frank discussions with employees to address back-to-work worries. https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/employee-mental-health https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression#1

We have all been there. Something we've done routinely without strain, suddenly becomes The Impossible Task. Take a shower? Dishes in the sink? Laundry (yep, putting it away, too!) Returning or answering calls. In this 17-minute podcast episode, we talk with author M. Molly Backes, who knows depression from the inside, too, we discuss this unacknowledged symtom of depression. And she gives it a name, to make it easier to hold.

Need a laugh? If you listen to our Giving Voice to Depression podcast, you know that I (Terry ) co-host with my sister, Bridget. What you may not realize is that I am also the producer, which means I have to listen for pacing, pronunciation, etc. and make sure the episode is clear and engaging. Steve, our audio engineer, has a lot of jobs too, including walking behind us like the guy with the bucket behind the elephant in a parade, making sure you never see the ... well... mistakes. But we make them all the time! This blooper is from our session recording tomorrow's episode, "The Impossible Task" with guest Molly Backes. (Full, cleaned-up version posting 6/30/20)

As "invisible" illnesses depression, anxiety and other mental-health challenges are misunderstood, dismissed, even discounted. But living in the stressful, unfamiliar and threatening environment of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an "equalizier." People who have never before conciously had their productivity, abilities and overall well-being affected by something out of their control suddenly find themselves in "our boat." And psychiatrist Jessica Gold thinks that could be what finally destigmatizes mental illness. Please join us for this 17-minute conversation. https://time.com/5835960/coronavirus-mental-illness-stigma/ http://www.mhawisconsin.org/depressivedisorders.aspx http://www.mhawisconsin.org/anxiety_disorders.aspx https://mhanational.org/covid19

If you thought it was hard to get work done when you "just" battled depression or anxiety, now we're trying to be productive with our mental-health challenges AND new, strange and uncertain conditions including a global pandemic and racial-injustice protests. In the second of a 2-part interview with writer Sarah Fielding, we look at more strategies to get our work done even when struggling mentally.

Whether you're continuing to work from home, returning to a job that looks different than before, are looking for new work, or running your home, it can be really hard to get things done when struggling with your mental health. In the first of a 2-part discussion about "Tips for Getting Work Done When You're Struggling," our guest, Sarah Fielding, offers some help.

A psychiatrist who has treated more than 3,000 people with depression, says it's time to re-frame how we characterize, treat and view people with depression. The current way is not only stigmatizing and potentially dangerous, but flat-out wrong in his experience. Link to Dr. Cantopher's book if you're interested in learning more: www.amazon.com/Depressive-Illnes…ems/dp/1847092357

Let's just take a moment, a breath and ask... WTH? (That's "what the hell" for anyone wondering.) The minute it was clear COVID-19 was something that would change our lives and threaten our mental health, we devoted a full season to how to monitor, protect and prioritize our mental health during this global pandemic. From top-level, national mental-health resources to a trusted therapist's advice, to a light-hearted yet vulnerable look at how far two people went to avoid sinking into depression to mindful self-compassion exercises and more, every episode is filled with information and support that's more-personal and understanding than what we're hearing on TV. Please take 18 minutes to hear snippets from each episode, and then listen in full to any/all that resonate with you. We are in different boats, but the same unfamiliar ocean. We're stronger together.

In these strange and disconnected times, it can be grounding to be reminded we are all connected. We may not be in the same boat during this pandemic, but we are in the same unfamiliar and unpredicatable ocean. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Moser, a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, guides us in an excercise of connection and strength. It's a bonus episode we hope you'll download and use as needed to manage difficult emotions. More info, research, meditations and exercises: https://self-compassion.org/ ++++

In these upside-down and unpredictable times, mindfulness and self compassion are two readily-accessible tools to help us regulate and cope with difficult emotions. And when this pandemic ends, they'll still be valuable tools in our self-care and depression-management toolboxes. Link to more information, exercises and research: https://self-compassion.org/ Link to research on mindfulness American Mindfulness Research Association: https://goamra.org/resources/reviewsmeta-analysis/