How To Operationalize Your Mental Health

Thinking when you should dig in to feel and feeling when you need to step out to your thinking mind. "You zig when you should zag and zag when you should zig. You're just all screwed up." lol Seriously though, it would help to have a video on when to use each.

My therapist kept invalidating me than patting herself on the back in my file. I think she was a mean-girl hiding behind a clipboard. I feel sick that she was ever in my file.

I appreciate the on camera spiral. Honestly that's me 1000000%

Thanks, I think this video was really what I needed. I've been struggling recently and hesitant with restarting therapy because I'm worried the therapist will only provide validation, and stop short of actually challenging my preconceptions/assumptions (my previous therapist was like this). Finding a new therapist is an expensive, time-consuming and draining exercise – I'll continue looking but this video has given me some great ideas I can try in the meantime.

The four resources concept and independent/dependent variables makes a lot of sense and would be a good starting point for me to recognise the areas/habits I can control/change. I have been thinking along similar lines recently.

One bad habit I realised I had recently is that a lot of times I become paralysed/put things off because I'm waiting to feel more "ready" to deal with it at a later point. For instance, I needed to book a doctor's appointment to get new medication prescriptions. I put it off for so long, waiting to feel "strong enough" to just book the appointment. Then one day I just said to myself, "I'm not ready yet, but I'm going to do it now anyway." and I just made the appointment. And it was obviously fine, but it felt like such a weight off my shoulders to get this thing that I'd been avoiding out of my daily thoughts! And, because I felt good getting it the appointment done, I had a small burst of energy at the doctor's office and made a dentist appointment, which was another thing I've put off for 3 years! (A bonus – the dentist said my teeth were fine after some basic cleaning, so another good outcome there!).

As a result of these 2 positive outcomes, the last week or so I've been trying something new. Whenever I feel myself saying "Oh, I'm not feeling up to doing XYZ," I try to say "But I'll do it anyway" and most of the time I can focre myself do the thing. I'm slowly breaking the habit of needing to feel "ready" to accomplish something – which means recognising when it's just an excuse to avoid anxiety. I realised that I'd spent much more time and mental energy on fearing the task of making the appointments, that it had ballooned into this out-sized, mammoth challenge. But in fact, the worst thing that could happen is that I would feel anxious/embarrassed/shame/frustration – but I had already felt all those things BEFORE I'd taken any action – so there was no point in avoiding it. Sometimes the only way out is through. It's been strangely liberating to acknowledge that I'm not in a good space, but I have to get things done anyway.

I forgot that I love fishing….hummm. 🤔 how could I have forgot that?

A straight razor.

Omg Dr Scott has 330k followers! He had like 26k when I found him. Holy smokes! Shows both how useful his approach is, and the dire need for mental health improvements

As someone who also loves Video games, one thing that helps me, is that I realize that the thing I enjoy in videogames the most (time management, resource management) can translate in real life. So far this philosophy has benefit me financially, and makes me more productive to tasks that I would otherwise have a hard time doing

So practical! Thanks!

This video is pure wisdom. Straight to the point and so impactful.

Just discovered your channel. I was debating on getting back to my therapy, which I did for 2 1/2 years, several years back. I was doing better for a while, but now things have changed for me, and not doing well mentally. Actually, worse than I felt before starting therapy last time. I can really relate to what you’re saying, and easy to understand the way you present solutions, or things to try. I’ll definitely be going back to watch more of your content. Also, it’s nice knowing you have struggled in the past with mental health. You know first hand what depression & anxiety feels like. Thanks so much. 🥰

I have been suffering panic/anxiety and major depression since age 32. I am 67 now and I never got anything out of talk therapy. Hell, I went to AA for 1 week and quit. I always wanted a beer afterwards! 😂 Your videos are very valuable to me and I thank you!

[0:13] "Therapists do not offer advice". I resent this statement. I totally get they can't offer solutions (aka direct advice): you should do the dishes and your partner should clean the toilet; you should marry/stay single; you should accept/reject that job offer etc. But I feel they should be giving the kind of advice Dr. Scott Eilers offers here. They should give you advice on how to discern wheter what you long for is a genuine need or a whimsical wish, how to communicate authentically and respectfully at the same time (in other words: how to correctly apply NVC), how to use both your heart and mind to find the best solutions for yourself. If they don't offer you any pratical training /education/assistance, what good are they? I spent 18 hours answering countless questions about myself and my relatives, interspersed with "how did/does that make you feel?" – and I didn't get any wiser. Then my therapist decided to terminate and in the 19th session, lo and behold, he gave me some advice – against his own declaration that he "does not advise people". His tips were: "It's OK to express anger" , "You should take care of yourself" and "You can come back to therapy when you feel like it". All of these I got from Google free of charge within a minute of describing my concerns before the first session. Guess: how did it make me feel? F… (frustrated and furious).

That's why when you have Asperger's you are always tired because you are always planning and thinking about everything. Plus all the research you do to help you with living life and functioning.

Most all therapists I've seen say number 3

Yes you are right. No, I cannot do it alone.

I just found you today! You're amazing. Thank you!

Thanks

Interesting perspective.

Simple but insightful.

this video sounds as if it is occasionaly sped up. when you do that, it is difficult to listen. i feel as exposed to bursts of rapid fire. i couldn't listen all the way although the topic is intresting. what's the rush, man? could you just talk at the same speed, please?