#966 - Dr Scott Eilers - Why Does Life Sometimes Feel Emotionally Numb?

In this episode of the Modern Wisdom podcast, Chris Williamson interviews Dr. Scott Eilers, a psychologist, about depression. Dr. Eilers describes the feeling of depression, differentiating it from sadness, and explains the concept of anhedonia, or the loss of joy. They discuss different types of depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder, and explore the various factors contributing to depression, such as brain chemistry, lifestyle, and social components. Dr. Eilers shares coping strategies for dealing with anhedonia, including "investments," "checking the lock," "stacking," "loopholes," and "apathyception." They also discuss the importance of physical health and self-care in managing mental health, the potential downsides of excessive self-awareness, and the correlation between intelligence and depression.