Dear colleagues,
I still get pushback.
With a tinge of concern, people ask what’s behind my obsession with depression. Some comments include, “Talking about depression is depressing.” “You’d only attract emotionally sick clients.” Or, “Why don’t you focus instead on trendy topics like resiliency, high performance, or emotional intelligence.”
They don’t see what I see. 
In such moments, I think of the Hebrew phrase, L’Chaim. It means “to life.” It’s a heartfelt toast to life, a communal celebration, and a testament to the joy of shared moments.
L’Chaim reminds me of my “why” for doing this work. My eyes are fixated not on the illness, but on “marred lives” signified by depression. It’s my own life story of illness and revival.
As documented in my book, You Are Not Depressed. You Are Un-Finished:
- Depression signals diminished desire, vitality, a compromised mind, body, and nervous system, and a life unfulfilled.
- Depression has an underlying structure that can be quantified. You can pinpoint what’s wrong and how to seek resolution. Refer to my research, The Bill of Emotional Rights, for details.
- The prevailing symptom-based depression treatments are a road to nowhere. Results are weak and fleeting, and depression often resurfaces.
We can do better.
Consider this. Depression operates in a similar way as carbon monoxide (CO), the lethal colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Depression slowly corrodes one’s ways of thinking, and physical, emotional, and spiritual vitality. Its impact is almost imperceptible, especially in high achievers.
A depressed individual senses that, at an emotional level, things are not quite well. All the while, depression takes root and becomes a lifestyle…reflected in one’s behaviors, aspirations, relationships, and ways of loving and leading.
We can do better.
The following are links to three of my recent LinkedIn posts, with downloadable PDFs to help you clarify areas for further analysis and action.
The Basic Facts about Depression. This post will help clarify the signs and feelings of depression. You’ll also learn that there are three types of depressive experiences: Disruption, Disconnection, and Desperation. Knowing this information can save lives.
Are You in Pain? 10 Essentials to Help You. Prolonged depression is almost always associated with physical ailments, cardiovascular (mostly men), and gastrointestinal (mostly women) complications that are often hard to explain and treat. This post sheds light on the broader medical trend, and how to make sense of your pain.
10 Signs Your Depression Is Healing. One of my more popular posts. It highlights reliable indicators that depression is receding. An effective therapy should aim to deliver such outcomes.
With these practices, you will learn to shift from managing symptoms of depression to living a life of fulfillment, boldness, and courage.
You will no longer be depressed but instead feel energized and resolute. You won’t want to waste time playing small.
Your depression is signaling that you have work to do! Go all in.
BONUS. Are you ready to experience what true depression healing looks like? I am offering a complimentary 1-hour session to three individuals. DM me to see if there is a spot available for you.
With love and gratitude,
Dr. Ardeshir Mehran
hello@ardeshirmehran.com
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Bestselling Book: You Are Not Depressed. You Are Un-Finished.