The SelfWork Podcast

Welcome. If you've listened to the previous episode, you know that explaining depression as a "chemical imbalance" is far too simple for such a complex process. Today I'm once again using a very well-written article by a team at Harvard as a guide. Today we'll focus on the  non-neurological factors that have a tremendous influence on whether or not you could become depressed -- specifically stress, trauma, medical illnesses and medications themselves. And I throw in some of my own observations and thoughts. And as always, there's a focus on treatment -- or what you can do about it. The listener email format is different today! On my website (and within the show notes) there’s now an icon from SpeakPipe which invites you to leave me a message for use on the podcast. This listener's question is a poignant one. She and her husband have been booted out of her daughter's life, who seems to have a history of significant emotional problems and is in therapy. So the question is how this mother could approach this very painful estrangement from her daughter as she wonders if the therapy itself is encouraging this behavior. Important links: Episode 091 on decreasing stress through mindfulness SelfWork Episode 109 on the use of a timeline Another more recent episode (121) on healing from trauma You can hear more about depression and many other topics by listening to my podcast, SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Subscribe to this website and receive her weekly blog posts and podcasts! If you’d like to join my FaceBook closed group, then click here and answer the membership questions! Welcome! My new book entitled Perfectly Hidden Depression will be arriving November 1, 2019 and you can pre-order here! Its message is specifically for those with a struggle with strong perfectionism which acts to mask underlying emotional pain. But the many self-help techniques described can be used by everyone who chooses to begin to address emotions long hidden away that are clouding and sabotaging your current life. And there’s a new way to send me a message! You can record by clicking below and ask your question or make a comment. You’ll have 90 seconds to do so and that time goes quickly. By recording, you’re giving SelfWork (and me) permission to use your voice on the podcast. I’ll look forward to hearing from you!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Can depression be explained simply as a chemical imbalance? The answer is a resounding “no.” I’m basing this episode on a very well-written article by a team at Harvard that offers understandable explanations of what researchers believe is going on in your brain and in your life that can lead to depression. And here’s their […] The post 142 SelfWork: Is Depression Simply A Chemical Imbalance? Part 1 appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How often to you look in the mirror and wish you saw another reflection there? There are many reasons for this lack of self-acceptance, everything from bullying to aging to irrational thinking and obsession. I’ll give some examples from my own life – as this has definitely been on my own journey toward health, but […] The post 141 SelfWork: Mirror Mirror… The Struggle with Body Image appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Even when you want change in your life, it’s hard to give up what’s familiar and risk the unfamiliar. You at least know you can tolerate what’s happening now and change can be daunting. But you can also be struggling with powerful triggers. I’ll define what a trigger is – how it can be known […] The post 140 SelfWork: Why Is Change So Difficult? The Power of Triggers appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

When you hear the term “personality disorder,” what does that mean? That someone ‘s personality is off-putting or self-destructive? Is it different from mental illness, and if so, how is it different? And if you identify with one of them or are trying to love someone with these problems, is there hope? In this episode […] The post 139 SelfWork: Borderline? Dependent? Narcissistic? What Exactly Is A Personality Disorder? appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What does it mean to “feel invisible?” Like you don’t matter. You aren’t a vital part of things. You’re being overlooked or seen only for what you can do instead of for who you are. That perception can be part of depression, and that “invisibility” may be imagined or misperceived. But sometimes it’s reality, not […] The post 138 SelfWork: The Many Ways to Feel Invisible and How to Find Your Voice appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Medications. You are bombarded with advertisements for them everywhere. And meds for mental health are no exception. In today’s show, I’m offering my clinical perspective as a psychologist (as well as expert advice from Dr. Michael Yapko) after watching thousands of people over the years try out different medications and working hand in hand with […] The post 137 SelfWork: Let’s Talk Medications – From a Psychologist’s Point of View appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Do you live by the rule, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going?’ In this podcast, I offer another way of approaching life when it gets tough — an approach that honors both the need to forge ahead when things get hard, but one that won’t lead to emotional and even physical burnout. I […] The post 136 SelfWork: When the Going Gets Tough.. Self-Composure vs. Stoicism appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Your emails are coming in fast and furious so I decided today that I would answer some of those questions with everyone and we can continue to learn from one another. The subjects range from trauma to ending a relationship to having trouble letting go of regrets and shame to perfectly hidden depression. — so […] The post 135 SelfWork: Your Questions My Answers (and a big announcement…) appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Money and the distrust that can be created because of it in a partnership or marriage is what’s on the agenda for today. It’s amazing how many people commit to one another and never touch the subject. We’ll talk about the business of relationships and common problems people run into when they initially establish their […] The post 134 SelfWork: Making A Distrustful Mess with Money and Marriage appeared first on Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands