Lift Depression With These 3 Prescriptions- Without-Pills | Susan Heitler | TEDxWilmington
NOTE FROM TED: This talk, which was filmed at a TEDx event, contains assertions about treating depression based on the speaker’s own theory. While some viewers might find the prescriptions to be helpful, please do not look to this talk for medical advice. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf
Dr. Heitler discusses a treatment for situational depression (even when we don’t know it is situational!) WITHOUT psychopharmacology. Instead, she offers three prescriptions without pills, outlining these prescriptions using an example from her practice. She shows how investigating what makes us angry or upset can help us to re-empower ourselves, and our mental health.
Susan Heitler, Ph.D., a Harvard and NYU-educated clinical psychologist, writes a Psychology Today blog that has received over 7.5 million reads.
Dr. Heitler first earned recognition when her book From Conflict to Resolution brought understandings of collaborative conflict resolution from the world of legal and business mediation to the practice of psychotherapy.
Her Power of Two and Power of Two Workbook– published in six foreign language editions–plus her interactive marriage education website PowerOfTwoMarriage.com, teach the communication skills for marriage success.
Dr. Heitler’s most recent book and website combo, Prescriptions Without Pills, offers self-help versions of the techniques she uses in her clinical practice–techniques for relieving depression, anger, and anxiety plus strategies for sustaining well-being.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx
31 Comments
I can relate to what she said on this point when it comes to low motivation and mood while being used to not getting what you want/need. Could be anything, like friends easily dropping from your life. You wonder how you can ever get that back, potentially not feeling you can convince them to try again, and you just accept you won't have any close friends & suffer the repercussion of that dearth. We start to think there's no alternatives, a lonely road ahead & it's similar to "learned helplessness". For others, a different stressor or longterm insurmountable problem/threat.
She is a worse counselor, speak without compassion but only analyzing. Not help at all but make people worse.
Major depression needs medication . A depressed person is not able to control his/her mind, thoughts ,feelings for certain period of time.
I feel like this system won't "solve" or "cure" depression for everyone, but I could see it at least helping some who feel powerlessness as a part of their depression, or being a piece of the overall solution. I think my depression is at least partially inherited (also linked to ADHD), yet somehow listening to this video made me think instead of the "dark cloud" following me getting split apart by a bright ray of sunshine, falling on me and giving me the feeling of the sun shining down on me on a perfect summer day and warming my body. That thought alone helped me feel significantly happier for a moment. So maybe simply thinking thoughts like that, and like what's presented here, are at least worth giving a try. Done regularly, perhaps the brain could be trained to think more positively. Obviously results will vary, but I plan on giving it a try. Regardless, I hope everyone here finds at least something helpful!
Sending love if you are struggling! ❤️
I’ve had talking therapy once a week for 15 months and today was the first day I have taken prescribed antidepressants. I’ve just left my abusive marriage and I have always had a stigma surrounding these pills. This is the first time I have taken an antidepressant.
So I am trying what the Doctor has suggested and I shall return to this comment in the future to talk about my experiences.
In my own personal experience, anti depressants changed my life for the better 👍
"life is not an endurance contest" it also talks about how life is meant to be lived rather then being imprisoned by your past. god this is was so helpful, thank you so much
real depression is very hard to make better without medication and therapy. I find this talk dangerous for people who suffer from real depression, it could make them feel guilty or wrong in taking medication.
I think this video definitely helps with situational depression, but if you have depression from things like family trama I definitely think your going to need someone or something (aka meds) to lift you into a place of having the ability to heal.
Do not forget that Christians can also suffer from depression. Especially after difficult events like the covid. Any human being can actually go through depression. The most important thing to remember is that it can be a normal feeling that arises to teach a particular lesson in life. So, be strong by standing up in Jesus's mighty name I pray 🙏🏽❤
I’ve been depressed for almost 5 years . And one day I woke up 50lbs heavier, no longer doing any of the things I used to enjoy I stopped taken care of my self because I just didn’t care any more. But I started taken thc gummy’s and I feel like I becoming alil more my self
Highlights
[00:00] 🌡 Depression is often referred to as the common cold of mental illness because of its prevalence and negative impact on individuals’ well-being.
[01:43] 💊 Antidepressant medications are commonly prescribed to treat depression, but they only help about 60% of individuals and can have harmful effects on the body.
[03:08] 💡 Therapy and talk sessions provide effective alternatives to medication for treating depression and improving mood.
[04:43] 🚧 The “obstacle model” suggests that identifying and addressing the underlying problem causing depression is crucial for improving mental well-being.
[06:12] 💨 Deep breathing exercises can help individuals feel more empowered and confident, counteracting feelings of helplessness associated with depression.
[08:28] 🙋♀ Visualizing oneself as larger and more influential in challenging situations can boost self-confidence and diminish feelings of depression.
[10:20] 🌟 Non-medication approaches can be effective in treating depression and should be considered as a viable option.
Key Insights
👉 The prevalence of depression highlights the need for effective and accessible treatment options beyond medication.
👉 Antidepressant medications may not be suitable for everyone and can have serious side effects, emphasizing the importance of exploring alternative treatments.
👉 The obstacle model suggests that addressing the underlying problem causing depression is essential for overcoming it and improving mental well-being.
👉 Deep breathing exercises can provide a sense of empowerment and help individuals counteract feelings of helplessness associated with depression.
👉 Visualizing oneself as larger and more influential in challenging situations can boost self-confidence and diminish feelings of depression.
👉 Non-pharmaceutical approaches, such as therapy and talk sessions, can be effective in treating depression and improving mood.
👉 It is essential to consider non-medication options for treating depression and to seek professional help for personalized and effective treatment.
I haven’t hit a bump in the road: I’ve fallen into a MN pothole. Having Stage 4 CKD is only one of my medical conditions; husband has an incurable, progressive neurodegenerative disease and lives in a skilled care facility. Heck yes, I’m depressed.
Depression is not having anything to lookforward to….and not having a good night's sleep….you have to try and find out why you have it…??
how about 20 years of chronic pain, is that a "bump"
???
she is very sweet but this is such an oversimplistic view of a disorder that takes lives. Her solution would work really well for a glum chum who is having a bad week but for actually helping someone with depression? not a chance.
Soo it’s 12 in the afternoon, sunny beautiful 80 degree day outside, and I am in bed, under my covers, in a dark room.
Am I depressed?
I personally made a couple of horrendous foolish mistakes/decisions that has personally devastated me. My stress caused insomnia, not able to sleep for 5 days straight.. the worry caused anxiety and severe depression. I lost it all. Including my career dream job i really enjoyed. Depression is so horrible to bare. I don't want to live anymore. I lost all interests, and no pleasure in anything.
Thank you for this, Susan Heitler 🙂
This woman hasn't a clue about depression……..what she's describing is being fed up. You cannot function with the illness……she's way off track.
This video is depressing.
Question：When u guys are depressed do u constantly think of problems and think it can't be fixed? Or think of past trauma or hurt and think of how you were wronged and wish u cud go back in time and fix it, but since u can't there’s no point trying because theres no time machine and what's done is done and its too late anyway? Those are some of my thoughts when Im depressed, but I am curious what some of u think like?🤔❤😊
Very bad take. Poor speaker
Lithium orotate helped ne so well and it prevents Alzheimer and many more heakth problems. Watch PD Dr. Michael N E H L S. He is a brilliant sientist and researcher. And he is such a nice, humbke oerson with a very, very sharp mind. He is on social media with many free vids and has written many books that are just WOW
🎯 Key points for quick navigation:
00:00:05 🌧️ Depression is common, akin to the common cold, and should be addressed promptly.
00:01:05 💊 A significant number of Americans rely on antidepressants, which can have side effects and may not be a full solution.
00:03:00 🧠 Psychotherapy and non-medical techniques exist to combat depression effectively.
00:04:39 🚧 Identifying the specific issue causing depression is crucial for recovery.
00:05:41 💪 Feeling powerless can hinder problem-solving during depression; boosting self-esteem is essential.
00:10:05 🎈 Visualization and breathing techniques can help individuals feel more powerful and confident.
00:14:52 ☀️ Using the three prescriptions—pinpoint the problem, pump up, and problem-solve—can lead to improved mental well-being.
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Great video
Have been diagnosed and suffering from early dementia and the dreadful depression that accompanies it. How can I be helped?
Lovely lady! She made me smile! My "bump" is social isolation. I live with PTSD. I makes me unable to work for a living at thins point. That again makes my social status low. Here, where I live, people are all about the status. The fact I'm single and in certain age doesn't makes things nicer. My old friends vanished. I have tried to makes new ones, but people doesn't seem to be interested in making new friends anymore. Clubs to join? None in my neighbourhood (no every country has such hobby related clubs). Many forms of entertainment is too expensive. And you know… when I said those thing to one person, things which are FACTS, I was told that I am just negative and should do more research about the possibilities. That person could invite me for a cup of tea, ask me if I'd like to go for a walk, or ask what I like to do. I told her I miss the times, when neighbours used to hang out together. She didn't say anything about it. (She's my neighbour.)
If feel like people don't want to include me in their lives. Simply because I'm not a "good deal". I'm not rich, I don't have a husband who is a CEO, I don't belong to the "material world". I reached to a pastor from my local church. I told him I am lonely and feel abandoned. He told me to go to the psychiatrist and take some meds.
I don't need happy pills. I need people.
This is a very dangerous perspective. Without medication I wouldn't be here anymore. Without it I didn't want anything. I couldn't feel anything but pain. The meds didn't numb me out–they lifted enough of the weight of the pain that I was capable of feeling good things again sometimes. It held me through the week in between therapy sessions. What this woman is talking about isn't clinical depression, it's something much less dangerous. Untreated clinical depression is fatal. Don't spread medical misinformation and encourage people not to see their doctor! There's no shame in not being able to boost yourself out of depression. For many of us it just doesn't work rhat way.