Dr. Oz Podcast: Overcoming Depression and Anxiety

Duration: 1:11:40

Release Date:7/1/19

5 Key Takeaways

1. True intimacy can only be achieved by fully trusting your partner

2. Working towards a noble goal on a daily basis is the best way to prevent emotional suffering

3. Never compromise your morality for immediate pleasures, they lead to emotional decline

4. Happiness should not be the primary goal, it should be the product of self improvement

5. Daily exercise and the strengthening of your body will result in a healthier/happier mind

Dr. Oz begins by introducing an author and philosopher by the name of Dr. Jordan Peterson. They start this podcast by stating that doing good things for others, telling the truth and trusting, creates intimacy. It is intimacy and other human connection that leads to a reduction in depression and anxiety.

Human Connections

1. The human child is dependent on their parents for a long period of time

   1. Mother-child relation is the primary connection in development

      1. It takes 16 to 18 years for a human child to grow up and make new connections

2. Genuine relationships are necessary

   1. Human connections keep people sane and hold their mind together

      1. Studies Show that humans cannot tolerate sustained isolation without experiencing psychological distress

Pair Bonds

1. Pair bonds are very common in the animal kingdom

   1. These bonds are made to keep long-term relations and to raise children in a more functional way

      1. It provides a stable environment for the growth of children

   2. Marriage is the best example of pair bonding in humans

      1. It is a basic unit of human society

      2. It’s a responsibility of keeping a long-term relationship through adverse times

2. Without marriage or a committed partnership, it is difficult to build long-term relationships

   1. Studies show that living together without marriage has increased separation rates

Polygamy Society

1. In animals, a small number of males have a large number of female partners and the vast majority of males have no partner

   1. Popular/ stronger male animals are not interested in genuine relationships and females have multiple sexual interactions with elite males which creates aggression

2. Polygamy in humans yields poor family connections

3. Monogamy is necessary to keep sexual and emotional intimacy in life

   1. Almost all cultures and religions of the world promote monogamy

   2. Monogamous parents are better for growing children to understand partnership

True Intimacy

1. Speaking the truth and trusting others facilitates intimacy

   1. You cannot have a sustained intimate relationship with half-lie and half-truth

      1. The first step to building an intimate relationship is to take the risk to trust someone

      2. This does leave both parties emotionally vulnerable but it is necessary for the bond

Depression

1. Depression is often a very complex "grab-bag" of diagnosis

   1. There are a lot of physiological (relating to the body, not the mind) conditions that can cause depression

      1. Depression can be caused by poor diet alone

2. Fragmentation of family and nihilism (the rejection of moral and religious principles) are two of the major causes of depression

3. Depression can convert a very competent person into someone with extreme psychological pain, lacking drive or productivity

   1. Irritability is a commonly under diagnosed symptom of depression

4. Depression is often multi-factorial, it can be caused by both psychological (the mind) and physiological (the body) reasons

5. Depression can be reduced by using antidepressants

   1. Reducing depression by using antidepressants can stabilize your life and give you the energy necessary to maintain productivity

   2. Always best to enhance physical and mental health naturally before trying prescription drugs

      1. Depression is closely related to diet and the immune system

      2. You can concentrate better if you are physically strong

      3. A stronger body usually equates to a healthier mind

How to Deal with Emotional Suffering?

1. Development of positive emotions and improved self-talk is crucial for happiness

   1. Positive emotions can be generated by accomplishing a noble goal

   2. The higher the goal, the more perceived value of actions

      1. Higher goals are more difficult to achieve but yield greater positive emotions

2. Working hard for outside influences such as supporting a family, can help motivate focus and drive

3. Demand and competition in society can create a lot of suffering

   1. You need something powerful on the positive end to deal with the emotional pain in life

4. New research shows that you can stimulate positivity chemically by using hallucinogenic substances

   1. LSD (acid) and magic mushrooms have been shown to improve psychological health

   2. Psychedelics can induce "mystical experiences" which can help someone deal with suffering

5. Hopelessness and nihilism can produce anger and urge people to hurt themselves and do terrible things

   1. People often do bad things to deal with suffering and to get immediate pleasure

      1. It only has a short-term effect and puts them into more decline and emotional suffering

6. Ignoring the pursuit of a "noble purpose" will ultimately cause suffering and malevolence in the long run

Life Goals

1. Happiness should not be the primary goal of your life

   1. Happiness is something that descends upon you by achieving other life goals

   2. If you achieve a valuable goal, happiness will automatically come to you

   3. The goal of your life should be to achieve the best version of yourself

   4. Building your character and making the mind and body strong will help prevent the sufferings of life from hurting you

2. The only way to promote the betterment of your family and society is through the betterment of yourself