I Nearly Gave Up on Life — How to Overcome Severe Depression

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In this video/episode, I’m opening up about something deeply personal I’ve never fully shared before: my journey through depression during my teenage years.

From ages 12 to 18, my life often felt like a blur—a confusing and lonely time marked by self-isolation, self-harm, and a constant need to escape reality.

Over the last 14 years, I’ve had a lot of time to think about that period in my life and about why I ended up with such severe depression.

Combined with my studies in psychology (I’m currently studying to become a clinical psychologist), I’ve started to see more and more of the puzzle pieces—the ingredients—that led to this dish called depression.

My goal here isn’t just to tell my story, but to shed light on the common “ingredients” that often contribute to depression.

Through my psychology studies, I’ve seen these patterns show up repeatedly, and if you’re struggling with depression, you might recognize them in your own life too.

Of course, I’m also sharing what finally helped me get out of that depression. I could have shared countless things, but looking back, there were only three that truly had a significant impact on me.

And I believe they can have an impact on you as well—not only because they changed my life so deeply, but also because I’ve seen them come up again and again in my psychology training.

Whether you’re currently struggling with depression, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about mental health, I hope this video offers insight, hope, and a sense that you’re not alone.

If you’re looking to talk to someone, know that I’m here. You can always get in touch with me through email or on Instagram. Whilst I might not reply right away every time, I will respond.

Books:

Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives (A book that could change your life: When Dan Millman was a young man, he expected that hard work would eventually bring a life of comfort, wisdom, and happiness. Yet, despite his many successes, he was haunted by the feeling that something was missing. Awakened by dark dreams one night, Dan found himself at a gas station with an old man named Socrates, and his world was changed forever. )
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (It’s no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 16 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 30 foreign languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on an inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light.)
The Road Less Traveled, Timeless Edition: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth (Written in a voice that is timeless in its message of understanding, The Road Less Traveled continues to help us explore the very nature of loving relationships and leads us toward a new serenity and fullness of life. It helps us learn how to distinguish dependency from love; how to become a more sensitive parent; and ultimately how to become one’s own true self.)
Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety (For decades, we’ve been told that “negative” feelings like depression and anxiety are the result of what’s wrong with us, which creates feelings of shame and makes it sound like we’re broken and need to be “fixed.” But what if we have it all backwards? What if our negative moods do not result from what’s wrong with us but, rather, what’s right with us?)

Podcasts mentioned:

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: How to Cope with It and Provide Support – Dr. Stephen P. Lewis, Ph.D. (How to stop self-harm? In this episode of The IPS Podcast, we have invited Dr. Stephen P. Lewis to provide a deeper understanding of NSSI.)
How to Treat Depression Without Meds | Dr. David Burns (Stanford psychiatrist Dr. David Burns explains how to cure depression, why antidepressants don’t work, and how to treat depression without meds.)
My Story About Depression: I Was Told I Had a Chemical Imbalance (“You have a chemical imbalance,” the doctor told Joe. But somehow, this didn’t feel right to him. This is Joe’s story about depression.)
How I Learned to Live with Depression: Angelica Galluzzo’s Journey (Angelica Galluzzo shares her journey, discussing her diagnosis, coping mechanisms, and how she has learned to live with depression.)
How I Got out of My Depression | Jonathan Schoenmaker (Jonathan Schoenmaker shares how he overcame depression, offering insights and advice that may help you on your journey.)
How I Overcame My 4-Year Battle with Depression | Elaine D. (Elaine D. shares her journey through four years of struggling with depression, shedding light on the often invisible challenges of preserving one’s mental health.)

Introduction & Personal Struggle with Depression 0:00:00
What is Depression? (Biopsychosocial Model) 0:01:24
Ingredients That May Lead to Depression 0:03:26
Ingredient 1: Loss of Possibilities 0:04:23
Ingredient 2: Social Instability 0:05:01
Ingredient 3: Negative Self-Talk 0:06:03
Ingredient 4: Feeling Imprisoned 0:07:52
Ingredient 5: Destructive Coping Strategies 0:09:00
Ingredient 6: Poor Sleep 00:10:27
How to Get out of Your Depression 11:50
What Helped: Having a “Light Source” 0:12:43
What Helped: Changing the Environment 0:14:44
What Helped: Changing Thoughts 0:18:33
Recommended Resource: Dr. David Burns 0:19:31
The Cognitive Triangle 0:21:33
What Helped: Talking to Others 0:24:07
What Helped: Exposing Your Worldview 0:26:09
What Helped: Self-Care 0:29:03

If you feel that you’ve gained some insights and lessons from this interview, and you are curious to see what else we offer at The IPS Project, check out The IPS Academy, where we offer online courses taught by guests here on The IPS Podcast.

Learn more about essential life topics, such as mental health, relationships, the mind, and the body and the brain, through fun and interactive courses. Simply go to TheIPSProject.com/academy.

What is also interesting to note is that all the courses are quite affordable, as we at The IPS Project do not want money to stand in the way of bettering one’s life. Each course has a few lessons to try for free, so you get a taste of what the course is like.

We have countless reviews from other students so you can see what others think, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you end up not liking the course. Again, check them out at TheIPSProject.com/academy.