Brilliant presentation and delivery of a complexed subject. I found the first half hour of Robert's lecture gave way with much clarity to comprehend and understand the second half hour of his lecture.
He really has a gift for taking things that are extremely complicated and making them easy to understand. This lecture helped me deal with and understand my depression much better which ultimately lead to my recovery. I went out and bought a ton of his books after I got better and I love all of them. He is such a brilliant man!
He talks about waking from sleep early. What if you can't sleep at all? I understand that he is trying to simplify things for his audience, but a lot of people, including myself, don't fall asleep till 5 or 6 in the morning and wake up at noon or later.
@RoCk4LiFe90 I have this exact same problem. When I am in a depressive period I find it impossible to get to sleep until 4-6am, even if I feel tired. But when I finally do get to sleep I don't wake until after noon, then I find it really hard to get out of bed. I wonder how this is explained biologically...
I think this video can be really helpful for someone who has a friend or family member who suffers from depression. I've struggled with depression for decades and my brother tries to understand and be helpful but I know sometimes he gets frustrated with me because he just doesn't get it. He doesn't understand it because he doesn't have it, thank goodness.
As if people with depression, such as myself, didn't have enough to be sad about. Watching this video, you find out not only that depression is a disease as real as cancer or diabetes, yet it is possibly the worst disease you can have AND there is a huge social stigma with it (along with other mental illnesses).
Credibility "serotonin theory of depression," asks a serious blow to the effectiveness of antidepressant called Stablon that works by reducing the concentration of serotonin in the brain.
the bottomline is all that brain chemicals imbalances that results to depression is a result of interaction of the genes and the environment. this is also true with anxiety. i have them both and know a lot about them.
being biological doesnt mean the cause is biolgical in all cases,behaviour and thoughts can also change brain biochemistry and even anatomy.The serotonin hypothesisis is totally unproven and unexplained and the drugs to correct it dont work anymore than placebo in most cases.We still have no idea how depression is caused.
Prof. Robert Sapolsky is really able to explain a complex subject in a simple and entertaining way... Thanks for sharing this information. It is really enlightening, but I wonder how many people try to cope with bouts of depression on their own because they have had frustrating and negative treatment experiences.
@eyesgIazed Almost everything! Trust me, I experienced it. I wish I could get help with his. My mother died due to society and other things I had became worse because of the passing and the society.
@MrUfologist it makes no sense because its not english.Ive suffered from suicidal depression and BDD for 21 yrs so IVE LIVED IT A LOT LONGER THAN 9 MONTHS.
He didn't get around to saying it, but for anyone interested, the gene that he mentions that makes you susceptible to major depression is called 5-HTT.
Nice lecture. Sums up the major psych & bio that comprise the diagnosis of this disease. Shows why meds coupled with cognitive therapist are essential. Patient and family understanding this broad outline can interact with & support someone and seek the best help. U. of Michigan Depression Center in Ann Arbor is best facility in the US. Glad I have access.
i have lived through 9 years of depression it has impacted pretty much every single area of my life it is like living in a paralel universe u have too do the same things others do yet for u every thing is harder in ure mind it warps ure perspective on everything
@iig0tem Maybe it does precede it. But maybe the 'psychological appraisal' happens before age 10, like he says about stress. Then you go through puberty and everyone around you says you're just stressed and/or sad because of puberty. By the time you're finally able to bear the anguish enough to analyse what's going in on your head the patterns are so ingrained they'll take years of effort to reverse. Please have compassion.
@dirtunit I am not trying to be cold. I do acknowledge the suffering that majorly depressed people go through. I do acknowledge that it's a serious illness that is hard to defeat. But as a psychological phenomena (if you will call it that), you cannot overcome it with just medication or physical procedures. I'm a believer in the greater system of the unconscious so I think that depression can only truly be transcended through mental transformation
I get into a great relationship of love. still not happy. come into a large sum of cash. still not happy. waste it all. still not happy. hang out with all my friends. still not happy. friends are forgotten. still not happy. playing video games while crying? celebrating my birthday then crying myself to sleep that very night before bed? doing the things i love with the peole i love and feeling nothing? this is depression! don't be fooled by people claimung there emo. depression is for real
Have you ever seen the commerical that says "Depression hurts"? It really does hurt. Some people actually feel somatic symptoms in addition to feeling hopeless and withdrawn. There are also different forms of depression that range from mild, single episode to chronic reccurent. It is a horrible illness and it does not discriminate. I agree with the professor when he states individuals become suicidal and it is so devastating when one gets to this point. Get help! No time for shame, it's ur life.
I think anxiety disorder (usually driven by trauma, social pressures or fear) is way way worst than depression and frankly, most depressions comes from some form of anxiety. So why not treat anxiety to get rid of the depression? Anti-depressive drugs are one of the worst thing that ever happened to society. Should be used only in great moderation, if at all. Find the cause first and then, cure the so-called disease... Make sense? Come on Robert, you can do better then that...
@zabelicious He does say that depression and anxiety go together. He does say that it feels exactly like trauma and very real fear. There are 2 sides to depression. One side of that is your somatic response. It stresses out your adrenal glands for example. Anxiety is a symptom of depression. I don't really think that anti-depressants are "one of the worst things that ever happened to society." There are a lot of things much worse starting with our agricultural practices.
@MonacoBlast I think you have it backwards. Depression is the result of not being able to respond adequately in a high stress situation for a lack of coping skills. The stress generated is internalized and oftentimes, a reaction of immobilisation/isolation occurs (similar to depression). If there was no anxiety, there would be no depression. Anti-depressants are just but a band-aid because society refuses to admit the role it plays in the social pressures and modern medecine treat symptoms only
@MonacoBlast "Depression" starts with a real or perceived stressful situation. The persistent brain activity that lingers is residual and can be corrected by finding better ways to cope and perhaps even changing elements of the environment. It's all about perception, distorted or not. That can be change with cognititve therapy more efficiently than with drugs (not to mention more safely). Modern "medecine" is big business, they don't really care that much about long term side effets.
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I'm assuming many people here have depression, and I've been suffering with this for almost 4 years now, it has not improved, everyone around me tells me just to think positive and I will get better... But my main struggle is this brain fog.. I was wondering if anyone has this and knows what it is. Just a feeling of detachment, can't process things, feels like a dream... No reality, bad memory, almost as if you're floating. Anyone? Please?
@PoetryAddict8 I have EXACTLY that problem; antidepressants (so far I've found that the only one that works is the SNRI (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) Effexor) really help with the depression and even the brain fog and memory problems to some extent, feeling surreal doesn't go away for me though and I struggle to really feel emotions - like I'm a robot, I can feel happy but it feels synthetic and superficial. I take Modafinil too, which combats the rest of the problems.
thank you SO much, I'm going to look into this. Honestly, I will take superficial happiness at this point. I was on cipralex for a year but it didn't really do anything.
@PoetryAddict8 Oh I read up on cipralex, it's the successor and enantiomer (mirror image) of citalopram, it's pretty much exactly the same - only reason they released it would most likely be to claim a new patent so they have exclusive rights to its manufacture and sale. Anyhow I found citalopram just effective enough to get me over the deepest chasms of suicidal despair, but fell many miles short of making me functional - effexor makes me functional - almost happy on good days :)
You've made me laugh. To an extent, I've had the same thought, in the same obnoxious way. But, really, friend - - not being able to stop chewing on something is not a function of intelligence, it is a symptom of *obsessive* thinking.
I felt so much better after watching this. Early wake up about 2 am yes, lack of appetite yes, sudden weight loss yes, and did the psychiatrist diagnosed my anxiety and depression, yes. My experience with psychiatrist, their background is really in science, but on the whole they are poor communicators. People have the right to know what they are suffering from, so they can cope with psychological problems . A pill can only do so much.
I have been studying depression in my spare time for years trying to learn more about it. This is without a doubt the best lecture I have ever seen about it.
I am curious about depression. I go through a stage, when I am extremely happy at one moment, like a 747 at cruising altitude, and with in an instance reality kicks in and I plummet back down down Earth. Except when I crash, I drink, take some pain killers and try to slash myself. After my suicide attempts, (I lost count), I feel cool the next day, then a week after back down to suicide alley. I am sick and bored of life. I been hospitalized twice, and it only gets worse.
@09669390 To the closest approximation I'm the same, basically a case of trial and error with different medication and combinations of medication until it works for a while - almost never works for long enough though before the struggle begins all over again to find some escape. At the moment I feel like killing myself, my medication won't come through until somewhere around 3 or 4 days, I've ran out of painkillers to get by on - last dose today. :(
@DrNjtp Well at the moment, I am feeling relatively normal, because I had taken my medication, Citalopram and a mood stabilizer called Sodium Valproate. I also take 6 omega-3 tablets, that really helps to keep me centered and I have to say relatively happy. Last night I tried to kill myself, by slashing my wrist, I bleed, by my skin is way too tough. Do us a favor, take some magnesium, omega-3 tablets, and of course take your prescribed medication, and see if that works.
@09669390 Ask the psychiatrist about a mood stabilizer. Find out what really gets you down. For me, I get depressed, when I compare myself to other people, because the seem like everything works out for other people, but nothing works for me. So I have to train myself, not to compare myself to other people, I know that it is really hard. Go to websites, and talk about the psychological torture you have to endure. Better to get it out, then keep it in.
I trust that when you were hospitalized you were told that you have *manic* depression or "bi-polar" disorder, and not the type of depression that was being addressed here? Some "common garden variety" depressives say that they'd like to be bi-polar; at least that way, they'd have the "up", some of the time!
Don't let that manic depression get the better of you; at very least, don't let it make you hurt yourself more than it's already hurting you! Say "I can do this tomorrow".
@evedemian Well when I was hospitalized back in July of this year, I was told that I have depression and anxiety. The problem with psychiatry, it depends on which way the wind is blowing, the simply can't make up their minds.
Everything people feel guilty about being depress and thinking they are just lazy i send them to this video. This video saved me from self guilt, and made me realize no only did I suffer, but that I suffer more than the average person could ever know.
A good introduction. I like his point of treating depression with the respect it deserves. If it was easy to "shake it off," then sufferers gladly would!
I cured most of my depression and anxiety attacks by eliminating sin in my life, including all forms, even pornography..when you eliminate sin you prevent evil from being able to enter into your life and take control over you...Turn your life to Jesus Christ your loving father in heaven and ask him for help, he wants to help you with any problem you may be having! Invite Jesus into your life and tell him you want a relationship with him to help overcome your problems...
@srlk86 I've read many, I'm a mechanical engineer...and ignorance keeps you slave to lies and prevents you from being set free with the love of the truth...That we have a creator whose name is Jesus Christ...Jesus loves you my friend and he really desires for you to at least seek him out first before you disprove him
@tario26 I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the majority of the bible was written before Jesus even existed. I don't mind if Jesus loves me, because I don't and won't love a purported person with no real evidence supporting his existence. Slave to lies? Please. You believe in a book that incites rape, genocide and torture rather than science. You are a sad man.
@srlk86 On the contrary I'm very happy, much more so then feeling empty and depressed when i was an atheist... and I would love for you to have what i have, a relationship with our creator, God teaches us the ten commandments and for me to love my neighbour as myself and thats what I try my best to do...he does not teach to rape and murder I'm sorry you think that, thats why we have commandments...
@tario26 fuck you you cockbitin' asshole. Jesus can get cornholed by meth heads for all I care- he ain't come down from his fuckin' lofty perch and done jack shit for me. I went to church- I was born again-I prayed and was all into it- and that bullshit didn't help my depression one tiny cunt hair. Fuck god and his bastard son and all you stupid sheep who think he can do something.
@takbootyheart Well God bless you, Jesus is real and he loves you very much, I dont know your situation and why you have so much anger but if you prayed with your heart to him he will answer your prayers
Thank you so much. I need that laugh and feeling of reassurance. It's people like you who make dealing with the tario26's of the world bearable. They think that everything comes down to God or some bullshit religious answer. If prayer worked do you think all the starving people around the world would be instantly fed? No. People who shun religion and find tangible ways of solving our problems make some of the issue we face easier. They might not be the best but they are solutions
@tario26 What if this doesn't work? What is the problem then? Not meaning to put you on the spot or anything, It's just that I have done all these things and my depression hasn't gotten any better.
he forgot to mention about de-stressors like the importance of social interaction and sharing a moment with someone. i feel like that can change your brain chemistry. i guess some ppl end up isolated becuase the ppl around them arent sensitive and dont even perceive that something is wrong. i feel like the ppl that are not sensitive and ignore whats around them have the problem and the depressed are more normal than we think...
@DubsRocks People bring dogs that are learning to be assistance dogs or guides for the blind--it's called "socialization". Or the person may have needed an assistance dog.
@kittypie070 - That is a great idea. I think that Professor Sapolsky has done wonders in this lecture to help both sufferers and their loved ones to understand the whys of the debilitating nature of depressive illness; and in doing so, much to interrupt the dreaded 'guilt spiral.'
I feel as if this guy has been watching how I live and creeping into my mind for the past 5 or so years because he is that amazing and spot on about what he's talking a bout..I love this Man...
A brilliant talk from one of the most brilliant human beings around... this video clip is, however, somewhat ruined by awful filming which distracts from the content - unless, of course, one only listens to what is being said without trying to watch the constant zooming in and out and rocking of the camera to the left and to the right.
It would be so easy to let the camera just be and film from a wider angle.
@sarjulia isn't there one post on youtube where people aren't attacking some aspect of it? Focus on the information, not critiquing the filming. We're lucky we even have this level of understanding and instruction available for FREE/
@MsBixy The quality of his lecture is so incredible that I would listen to it on audio without problem. I'm so happy that they recorded this and allow us to view it for free. This video alone made me feel like my pain wasn't the illusion people kept telling me it was.
@MsBixy I totally agree! It is amazing! We are indeed very lucky! ... but does it harm to drive/aspire for better quality? It would be awesome to listen to this as just an audio-clip, which is what I ended up doing because (as mentioned in my comment) the filming was truly *distracting from the content* !
I am more than grateful for these amazing lectures available for FREE!
... but criticism isn't always bad, especially if it is constructive and not simply an attack without any purpose.
He's a professor at stanford and centers his time on illuminating these subjects to us. That's why he's so good (probably). "Sense never fails to give those that have it, words enough to make them understood"
@ColletteGurthet You should remove your comment. It adds nothing and embarrasses you.
But if you want to press the question, here's a partial list of guys with (occasionally funny) facial hair: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Jesus, Muhammad, Da Vinci, Freud, Nietzsche, Marx, Thoreau, Pirsig, Einstein...
So I think the rest of us will go ahead and listen to Dr. Sapolsky. Thanks for dropping by and reminding everyone that no matter how awesome you are, someone will criticize you. Good bye.
Everyone deals with depression in different ways. I stopped caring and had an affair with a coworker. Then I quit my job the day before I was supposed to get a promotion. I guess even in feeling completely meaningless I still had a sense of guilt. Oh well. Now I'm living with my parents again and unemployed. I'm getting far too old for this shit.
I haven't watched this video (maybe I should?)... I am reading Professor Sapolsky's book "Why Zebras don't get Ulcers" and I already know that he does not provide practical advise on how to deal with stress (diet, lifestyle choices, etc.)
Does anyone know where Sapolsky speaks about how to go about your life in such a stress filled world? Thank you.
@jaytonbye There's a quick video on YouTube as well, but the gist of it is that you should do stress reducing activities every day, including exercise, relaxing (my examples - yoga/meditation), spending time with family and friends (social support is very important).
There isn't anything revolutionary in the added chapter to WZDGU, but he does stress that you have to do it consistently - so whatever relaxes you, don't save it for the weekend, make it a regular practice.
@jonald32z He has such a solid understanding of the brain, I want to know how he goes about maximizing his own intellectual ability. Does he take supplements? Is his diet built around performance? The material he talks about is excellent, but I'm more interested in how he went about becoming so smart. It's more than smart, he doesn't stutter, get off topic, say umn; he just flows smoothly through all of the material. How does he prep? He's the best speaker I've ever heard. What are his secrets?
@jaytonbye Those are all good questions. From reading his books I can tell you that a lot of the material is the same, just as a good comedian makes old material seem fresh during his routine, Sapolsky's covering the same territory and jokes he's used before.
He states he works 70 hours/week and relies on exercise as his main stress reducer. But as far as what makes him so awesome, no secrets are revealed. IMO he's simply super talented, smart and hard working. And he's been at Stanford for
@jonald32z at Stanford for about 30 years, so he's run through the topics enough to have them down pat. That said you're absolutely right about his knowledge, cohesion and presentation.
This man is very inspiring there are many ways to help depression though just talking in an open enviroment like northmkm.com would help hope this helped
So, the most dangerous point in depression is when one begins to rise from rock bottom. That is when most people commit suicide. I'm glad I caught that cause that's kind of where i am.
This man is not only brilliant but is able to make a complex subject very accessible. It is wonderful to have a greater understanding of how the disease manifests, and information on the influencing factors, but I wonder if there is a follow up lecture that goes more deeply into treatment modalities (drug and/or talk therapies), variants of drug resistant depressions, and a discussion about the degree of effectiveness of various treatment approaches.
What amazed me is when he talks about biological aspects and mentions increased muscle tone and metabolic rate in the stress category. I suffer from major depression and anxiety for about 5-6 years now and i never actively work out and never went to the gym, but i've got a quite visible muscle tone. I noticed it a couple years ago, when i was asked from different people do i work out or train some sports. I've always wondered why.
Almost every depressed person i've met, including myself, has no idea what "this" is. That is to say (whether its forgotten or never recognized) we have no idea what event may have caused the depression. Thus we have nothing to relate it to. So when most people recognize that "this" (catastrophic event) is awful, we just associate that pain with the world as a whole.
WTF IS THERE A DOG IN THE AUDIENCE?! AWESOME!
Brittaniramblings 1 day ago
DUDE ALL THE IDIOTS PAYING TO GO TO STANFORD WHEN I GO TO CLASS FREE HERE...."I'M GETTIN PAPER!"
Brittaniramblings 1 day ago
Brilliant presentation and delivery of a complexed subject. I found the first half hour of Robert's lecture gave way with much clarity to comprehend and understand the second half hour of his lecture.
Thank You!
mybig88 5 days ago
Besides really loving this lecture, I spent much of the entirety wondering what he's look like under that beard,
CrossArmant 6 days ago
He really has a gift for taking things that are extremely complicated and making them easy to understand. This lecture helped me deal with and understand my depression much better which ultimately lead to my recovery. I went out and bought a ton of his books after I got better and I love all of them. He is such a brilliant man!
Julietjeske 6 days ago
Awesome
Video!!' I'd listen to his lectures daily!!
Erodsgyrl88 1 week ago
why are these idiots laughing?
spadecat22 1 week ago
@spadecat22 because he's making jokes..
ilikeyerbum 1 week ago 4
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Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.
grady1610 1 week ago
Trying to explain what to depression is to others is near impossible. Thank you for this video.
Jcsketch 1 week ago
In this world of stupidity, ignorance and reluctance to learn, it's really indescribable how much I respect people like Robert.
cergzor 2 weeks ago
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D4rkPhilosopher 2 weeks ago
what an amazing beard :O>
gamesurfer123 2 weeks ago 5
He talks about waking from sleep early. What if you can't sleep at all? I understand that he is trying to simplify things for his audience, but a lot of people, including myself, don't fall asleep till 5 or 6 in the morning and wake up at noon or later.
RoCk4LiFe90 2 weeks ago 6
@RoCk4LiFe90 I have this exact same problem. When I am in a depressive period I find it impossible to get to sleep until 4-6am, even if I feel tired. But when I finally do get to sleep I don't wake until after noon, then I find it really hard to get out of bed. I wonder how this is explained biologically...
Atomicafroman 1 week ago
Great lecture. Should be required viewing. Would like to have heard his thoughts on seasonal depression which seems to be less related to stressors.
Anybody notice the little dog? Some kind of pet therapy for students?
witjunkie 3 weeks ago
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Great video, Psychology's always been a subject of interest for me.
SpyBreak101 3 weeks ago
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SpyBreak101 3 weeks ago
I think this video can be really helpful for someone who has a friend or family member who suffers from depression. I've struggled with depression for decades and my brother tries to understand and be helpful but I know sometimes he gets frustrated with me because he just doesn't get it. He doesn't understand it because he doesn't have it, thank goodness.
Scriptease123 3 weeks ago
As if people with depression, such as myself, didn't have enough to be sad about. Watching this video, you find out not only that depression is a disease as real as cancer or diabetes, yet it is possibly the worst disease you can have AND there is a huge social stigma with it (along with other mental illnesses).
pennyadren 3 weeks ago 2
Sounds like he's discussing the depression of manic depression but he's not talking about the mania and paranoia that is associated with it.
PNHassett 4 weeks ago
why are these people laughing at suicide...idiots
missoceanbreeze 1 month ago
An amazing and most informative video !!
INFJman 1 month ago
I like his style, where he narrates a story to get his idea through.
SwitchStrings 1 month ago
That man has a lot of hair on his head
BillHicks420 1 month ago
Thanks for your help!!! I sit with a school assignment and could not understand much of the biological. But ypu could explain very well. Thank you
- Signe from Denmark
bandit9040 1 month ago
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Credibility "serotonin theory of depression," asks a serious blow to the effectiveness of antidepressant called Stablon that works by reducing the concentration of serotonin in the brain.
zibimark 1 month ago
Amazing
mischapannell 1 month ago
You know what is the worst part of depression? Much like the devil it's primary goal is to convince you (and others) it doesn't exist.
MrDavejkahn 1 month ago
@MrDavejkahn Funny you say that, as Sapolsky is an atheist.
VBAadmin 1 month ago
the bottomline is all that brain chemicals imbalances that results to depression is a result of interaction of the genes and the environment. this is also true with anxiety. i have them both and know a lot about them.
watchWorld100 1 month ago
being biological doesnt mean the cause is biolgical in all cases,behaviour and thoughts can also change brain biochemistry and even anatomy.The serotonin hypothesisis is totally unproven and unexplained and the drugs to correct it dont work anymore than placebo in most cases.We still have no idea how depression is caused.
scarred10 1 month ago 3
we are unique-ier species than our primate cousins
franksaninocencio 1 month ago
Prof. Robert Sapolsky is really able to explain a complex subject in a simple and entertaining way... Thanks for sharing this information. It is really enlightening, but I wonder how many people try to cope with bouts of depression on their own because they have had frustrating and negative treatment experiences.
bikeweekmj 1 month ago
I wonder how much depression has to do with how society works. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
eyesgIazed 1 month ago 4
@eyesgIazed Almost everything! Trust me, I experienced it. I wish I could get help with his. My mother died due to society and other things I had became worse because of the passing and the society.
MrUfologist 1 month ago
@MrUfologist that makes no sense
scarred10 1 month ago
@scarred10 Live my life the past nine months and you will.
MrUfologist 1 month ago
@MrUfologist it makes no sense because its not english.Ive suffered from suicidal depression and BDD for 21 yrs so IVE LIVED IT A LOT LONGER THAN 9 MONTHS.
scarred10 1 month ago
he's voice is really depressing... i hate profs that teach in a low voice
moraojar 1 month ago
Wouldn't it be nice if Stanford makes all its lectures available online to everyone?
SuperThePhoenix 1 month ago
brilliant video
CoolCollectableToys 1 month ago
35 people in that audience.. 155937 people in this audience.. the internet is great!!
brittany51791 1 month ago 26
@brittany51791 ... 2 days later 157,122 people in this audience, sharing to social media.
bikeweekmj 1 month ago
@brittany51791 Not for long. Google ACTA.
NinjaBunniesAttack 2 days ago
@NinjaBunniesAttack
This was uploaded by the University. It's not going anywhere.
MusicandGamesandStuf 1 day ago
Excellent and informative
omprakashdayani 1 month ago
This video is just as informative if you have depression or if you live with someone that has it. Thanks for posting!
sukosaki 1 month ago
@ StanfordUniversity Excellent lecture; thanks for posting it.
weewilliewagtail 1 month ago 2
What are the best ways to treat depression?
Paalfaal 1 month ago
Sopolsky is unimaginably good. Thak you for making this free to access!
Paalfaal 1 month ago
wow this was amazing to watch ...really wished i could go back to studying ....good luck to all of those studying this illlness....
Galacticus07 1 month ago
Sums up my life right now. I wish I could do something about it, but I feel like I'm stuck in this hole. :(
frozen10 2 months ago
What is the definition of a disease?
bamatommy 2 months ago
I've gone from Depression to Nihilism. It's made me so sad that I'm happy. It's, like, Super Depression or something. It's awesome.
Lemileant 2 months ago
@Lemileant Yeah, teenage girls get that a lot.
myconpodship 2 months ago
really depressed people have no idea they are depressed especially people who feel so bad, they have learned to hide their depression just to get by.
bigpowerfulpeople 2 months ago
Surely there are worse diseases?
stefano118118 2 months ago
He didn't get around to saying it, but for anyone interested, the gene that he mentions that makes you susceptible to major depression is called 5-HTT.
rdxm 2 months ago
very little is understood by our society on depression.
healthconcious 2 months ago
i agree! nice video!
thebigfootme 2 months ago
Nice lecture. Sums up the major psych & bio that comprise the diagnosis of this disease. Shows why meds coupled with cognitive therapist are essential. Patient and family understanding this broad outline can interact with & support someone and seek the best help. U. of Michigan Depression Center in Ann Arbor is best facility in the US. Glad I have access.
mrjet51 2 months ago
i would kill to study under Dr sapolsky. I highly reccomend his books as well, particularly monkeyluv
skaboss3178 2 months ago in playlist Robert M. Sapolsky
he spelled vegetative wrong
xbirdsofparadise 2 months ago
I've just be listering not watch the video, i click the tab and guess what is the first thing i see at 26:55
SirKanti1 2 months ago in playlist Liked
i have lived through 9 years of depression it has impacted pretty much every single area of my life it is like living in a paralel universe u have too do the same things others do yet for u every thing is harder in ure mind it warps ure perspective on everything
yrret86 2 months ago
@yrret86 may I ask what helps you, what are some things you do that are helpful
feel free to send me a youtube message, I am curious as to things that might help w depression from someone who suffers from it. thank you
mjccmc82 2 months ago
"Basically depression is the worst disease you can get" god, that's depressing.
masteranza 3 months ago 62
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@masteranza But that means it's a disease, it can be cured! :)
mbhorsten 2 months ago
@masteranza Could be .....Manic Depression.....
MonacoBlast 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
yup, nutshell, thanks for summing up the grey so well. Time to reprogram this biological machine. I want it humming.
skekze 3 months ago
Ah, the professor from Nat Geo's "Stress: A Portrait of a Killer." I love this guy. He's awesome.
LazyGirlSuperHero 3 months ago
Surely depression affects brain chemistry and such. But I believe that psychological appraisal PRECEDES biological changes; not the other way around.
iig0tem 3 months ago
@iig0tem Maybe it does precede it. But maybe the 'psychological appraisal' happens before age 10, like he says about stress. Then you go through puberty and everyone around you says you're just stressed and/or sad because of puberty. By the time you're finally able to bear the anguish enough to analyse what's going in on your head the patterns are so ingrained they'll take years of effort to reverse. Please have compassion.
dirtunit 2 months ago
@dirtunit I am not trying to be cold. I do acknowledge the suffering that majorly depressed people go through. I do acknowledge that it's a serious illness that is hard to defeat. But as a psychological phenomena (if you will call it that), you cannot overcome it with just medication or physical procedures. I'm a believer in the greater system of the unconscious so I think that depression can only truly be transcended through mental transformation
iig0tem 2 months ago
@iig0tem Fair enough, I agree with that.
dirtunit 2 months ago
@iig0tem lmfao
Hornilope 2 months ago
that's a epic fucking beard.
cynicalcynicalshow 3 months ago
why is there a dog in there
aurash91 3 months ago
thanks for allowing me to watch this free and for helping understand alittle more of my sickness Thanks
MRPLOTR310GS 3 months ago 2
I get into a great relationship of love. still not happy. come into a large sum of cash. still not happy. waste it all. still not happy. hang out with all my friends. still not happy. friends are forgotten. still not happy. playing video games while crying? celebrating my birthday then crying myself to sleep that very night before bed? doing the things i love with the peole i love and feeling nothing? this is depression! don't be fooled by people claimung there emo. depression is for real
josh71111 3 months ago 3
I've had depresion my entire life.
josh71111 3 months ago
Have you ever seen the commerical that says "Depression hurts"? It really does hurt. Some people actually feel somatic symptoms in addition to feeling hopeless and withdrawn. There are also different forms of depression that range from mild, single episode to chronic reccurent. It is a horrible illness and it does not discriminate. I agree with the professor when he states individuals become suicidal and it is so devastating when one gets to this point. Get help! No time for shame, it's ur life.
ROCKSEA1968 3 months ago
Wasn't he in the "Children of Africa" Symphony of Science?
flyersphan111 3 months ago
I think anxiety disorder (usually driven by trauma, social pressures or fear) is way way worst than depression and frankly, most depressions comes from some form of anxiety. So why not treat anxiety to get rid of the depression? Anti-depressive drugs are one of the worst thing that ever happened to society. Should be used only in great moderation, if at all. Find the cause first and then, cure the so-called disease... Make sense? Come on Robert, you can do better then that...
zabelicious 3 months ago
@zabelicious He does say that depression and anxiety go together. He does say that it feels exactly like trauma and very real fear. There are 2 sides to depression. One side of that is your somatic response. It stresses out your adrenal glands for example. Anxiety is a symptom of depression. I don't really think that anti-depressants are "one of the worst things that ever happened to society." There are a lot of things much worse starting with our agricultural practices.
MonacoBlast 3 months ago
@MonacoBlast I think you have it backwards. Depression is the result of not being able to respond adequately in a high stress situation for a lack of coping skills. The stress generated is internalized and oftentimes, a reaction of immobilisation/isolation occurs (similar to depression). If there was no anxiety, there would be no depression. Anti-depressants are just but a band-aid because society refuses to admit the role it plays in the social pressures and modern medecine treat symptoms only
zabelicious 3 months ago
@zabelicious You're talking about a reaction to feeling helpless in a stressful situation.
I'm talking about a visible change in brain activity that doesn't go away when you're done
isolating yourself. Modern medicine has begun to treat the problem, but it's still
too expensive for most people.
MonacoBlast 3 months ago
@MonacoBlast "Depression" starts with a real or perceived stressful situation. The persistent brain activity that lingers is residual and can be corrected by finding better ways to cope and perhaps even changing elements of the environment. It's all about perception, distorted or not. That can be change with cognititve therapy more efficiently than with drugs (not to mention more safely). Modern "medecine" is big business, they don't really care that much about long term side effets.
zabelicious 3 months ago
I'm surprised I liked this video; there's not much I like nowadays.
RussianAssassin21 3 months ago 47
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pttugasuk 2 months ago
@RussianAssassin21 Welcome to my fucking life.
ieatwiteoutforfun 2 months ago
This guy was in the latest Zeitgeist film
RussianAssassin21 3 months ago 2
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smp156 4 months ago
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CLB270986 4 months ago
i knew jim morrison was still alive
thezoombini 4 months ago
OH man, is the dog gonna quizzed on this? I mean I thought my dog was smart, but alas he hasn't enrolled in college yet. Clearly he's a slacker.
mygirlruth 4 months ago
Brilliant speech. Love the depth
weightlossguru123 4 months ago
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weightlossguru123 4 months ago
I'm assuming many people here have depression, and I've been suffering with this for almost 4 years now, it has not improved, everyone around me tells me just to think positive and I will get better... But my main struggle is this brain fog.. I was wondering if anyone has this and knows what it is. Just a feeling of detachment, can't process things, feels like a dream... No reality, bad memory, almost as if you're floating. Anyone? Please?
PoetryAddict8 4 months ago
@PoetryAddict8 I have EXACTLY that problem; antidepressants (so far I've found that the only one that works is the SNRI (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) Effexor) really help with the depression and even the brain fog and memory problems to some extent, feeling surreal doesn't go away for me though and I struggle to really feel emotions - like I'm a robot, I can feel happy but it feels synthetic and superficial. I take Modafinil too, which combats the rest of the problems.
ninjatoothpaste 4 months ago
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ninjatoothpaste 4 months ago
@ninjatoothpaste
thank you SO much, I'm going to look into this. Honestly, I will take superficial happiness at this point. I was on cipralex for a year but it didn't really do anything.
PoetryAddict8 4 months ago
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ninjatoothpaste 4 months ago
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ninjatoothpaste 4 months ago
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ninjatoothpaste 4 months ago
@PoetryAddict8 Oh I read up on cipralex, it's the successor and enantiomer (mirror image) of citalopram, it's pretty much exactly the same - only reason they released it would most likely be to claim a new patent so they have exclusive rights to its manufacture and sale. Anyhow I found citalopram just effective enough to get me over the deepest chasms of suicidal despair, but fell many miles short of making me functional - effexor makes me functional - almost happy on good days :)
ninjatoothpaste 4 months ago
@christm5
You've made me laugh. To an extent, I've had the same thought, in the same obnoxious way. But, really, friend - - not being able to stop chewing on something is not a function of intelligence, it is a symptom of *obsessive* thinking.
evedemian 4 months ago
I felt so much better after watching this. Early wake up about 2 am yes, lack of appetite yes, sudden weight loss yes, and did the psychiatrist diagnosed my anxiety and depression, yes. My experience with psychiatrist, their background is really in science, but on the whole they are poor communicators. People have the right to know what they are suffering from, so they can cope with psychological problems . A pill can only do so much.
09669390 4 months ago
I have been studying depression in my spare time for years trying to learn more about it. This is without a doubt the best lecture I have ever seen about it.
Benno1515 4 months ago
I am curious about depression. I go through a stage, when I am extremely happy at one moment, like a 747 at cruising altitude, and with in an instance reality kicks in and I plummet back down down Earth. Except when I crash, I drink, take some pain killers and try to slash myself. After my suicide attempts, (I lost count), I feel cool the next day, then a week after back down to suicide alley. I am sick and bored of life. I been hospitalized twice, and it only gets worse.
09669390 4 months ago
@09669390 To the closest approximation I'm the same, basically a case of trial and error with different medication and combinations of medication until it works for a while - almost never works for long enough though before the struggle begins all over again to find some escape. At the moment I feel like killing myself, my medication won't come through until somewhere around 3 or 4 days, I've ran out of painkillers to get by on - last dose today. :(
DrNjtp 4 months ago
@DrNjtp Well at the moment, I am feeling relatively normal, because I had taken my medication, Citalopram and a mood stabilizer called Sodium Valproate. I also take 6 omega-3 tablets, that really helps to keep me centered and I have to say relatively happy. Last night I tried to kill myself, by slashing my wrist, I bleed, by my skin is way too tough. Do us a favor, take some magnesium, omega-3 tablets, and of course take your prescribed medication, and see if that works.
09669390 4 months ago
@09669390 Ask the psychiatrist about a mood stabilizer. Find out what really gets you down. For me, I get depressed, when I compare myself to other people, because the seem like everything works out for other people, but nothing works for me. So I have to train myself, not to compare myself to other people, I know that it is really hard. Go to websites, and talk about the psychological torture you have to endure. Better to get it out, then keep it in.
09669390 4 months ago
@09669390 sounds like you're bipolar, go talk to a doctor man! you're not alone!
FactorCerveza 4 months ago
@09669390
I trust that when you were hospitalized you were told that you have *manic* depression or "bi-polar" disorder, and not the type of depression that was being addressed here? Some "common garden variety" depressives say that they'd like to be bi-polar; at least that way, they'd have the "up", some of the time!
Don't let that manic depression get the better of you; at very least, don't let it make you hurt yourself more than it's already hurting you! Say "I can do this tomorrow".
evedemian 4 months ago
@evedemian Well when I was hospitalized back in July of this year, I was told that I have depression and anxiety. The problem with psychiatry, it depends on which way the wind is blowing, the simply can't make up their minds.
09669390 4 months ago
Everything people feel guilty about being depress and thinking they are just lazy i send them to this video. This video saved me from self guilt, and made me realize no only did I suffer, but that I suffer more than the average person could ever know.
MsAgnosticatheist 4 months ago
great upload.
Blu3foxx 4 months ago
A good introduction. I like his point of treating depression with the respect it deserves. If it was easy to "shake it off," then sufferers gladly would!
BardofCornwall 4 months ago
this is not "oh c'mon pull it together" thank you
jns1234ify 4 months ago
i have major depresssion. sucks
jns1234ify 4 months ago
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renjarehilary 5 months ago
Great lecture I really enjoyed it.
AnimeTV100 5 months ago 10
I cured most of my depression and anxiety attacks by eliminating sin in my life, including all forms, even pornography..when you eliminate sin you prevent evil from being able to enter into your life and take control over you...Turn your life to Jesus Christ your loving father in heaven and ask him for help, he wants to help you with any problem you may be having! Invite Jesus into your life and tell him you want a relationship with him to help overcome your problems...
tario26 5 months ago
@tario26 Ignorance is bliss. Read a science book.
srlk86 4 months ago
@srlk86 I've read many, I'm a mechanical engineer...and ignorance keeps you slave to lies and prevents you from being set free with the love of the truth...That we have a creator whose name is Jesus Christ...Jesus loves you my friend and he really desires for you to at least seek him out first before you disprove him
tario26 4 months ago
@tario26 I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the majority of the bible was written before Jesus even existed. I don't mind if Jesus loves me, because I don't and won't love a purported person with no real evidence supporting his existence. Slave to lies? Please. You believe in a book that incites rape, genocide and torture rather than science. You are a sad man.
srlk86 4 months ago
@srlk86 On the contrary I'm very happy, much more so then feeling empty and depressed when i was an atheist... and I would love for you to have what i have, a relationship with our creator, God teaches us the ten commandments and for me to love my neighbour as myself and thats what I try my best to do...he does not teach to rape and murder I'm sorry you think that, thats why we have commandments...
tario26 4 months ago
@tario26 fuck you you cockbitin' asshole. Jesus can get cornholed by meth heads for all I care- he ain't come down from his fuckin' lofty perch and done jack shit for me. I went to church- I was born again-I prayed and was all into it- and that bullshit didn't help my depression one tiny cunt hair. Fuck god and his bastard son and all you stupid sheep who think he can do something.
takbootyheart 4 months ago
@takbootyheart Well God bless you, Jesus is real and he loves you very much, I dont know your situation and why you have so much anger but if you prayed with your heart to him he will answer your prayers
tario26 4 months ago
@takbootyheart
Thank you so much. I need that laugh and feeling of reassurance. It's people like you who make dealing with the tario26's of the world bearable. They think that everything comes down to God or some bullshit religious answer. If prayer worked do you think all the starving people around the world would be instantly fed? No. People who shun religion and find tangible ways of solving our problems make some of the issue we face easier. They might not be the best but they are solutions
Givemeadamnjob 4 months ago
@tario26 What if this doesn't work? What is the problem then? Not meaning to put you on the spot or anything, It's just that I have done all these things and my depression hasn't gotten any better.
TheLaughterFarm 4 months ago
he forgot to mention about de-stressors like the importance of social interaction and sharing a moment with someone. i feel like that can change your brain chemistry. i guess some ppl end up isolated becuase the ppl around them arent sensitive and dont even perceive that something is wrong. i feel like the ppl that are not sensitive and ignore whats around them have the problem and the depressed are more normal than we think...
TheGncGuru 5 months ago
@christm5 Dogs get depression. I suppose they are deep thinkers.
skybluskyblueify 5 months ago
@DubsRocks People bring dogs that are learning to be assistance dogs or guides for the blind--it's called "socialization". Or the person may have needed an assistance dog.
skybluskyblueify 5 months ago
Sausage thinks that Sapolsky is a brilliant lecturer.
GiganticSausage 5 months ago
there is....a dog...in the audience.
netfinder30 5 months ago
@netfinder30
that is one smart dog.
willC801 5 months ago 14
I just downloaded this lecture.
just listening to the professor's voice all by itself was soothing.
now I get to listen to this or watch it any time I need it :)
kittypie070 5 months ago
@kittypie070 - That is a great idea. I think that Professor Sapolsky has done wonders in this lecture to help both sufferers and their loved ones to understand the whys of the debilitating nature of depressive illness; and in doing so, much to interrupt the dreaded 'guilt spiral.'
CatFiain 5 months ago
I feel as if this guy has been watching how I live and creeping into my mind for the past 5 or so years because he is that amazing and spot on about what he's talking a bout..I love this Man...
ManderMurduh 5 months ago
A brilliant talk from one of the most brilliant human beings around... this video clip is, however, somewhat ruined by awful filming which distracts from the content - unless, of course, one only listens to what is being said without trying to watch the constant zooming in and out and rocking of the camera to the left and to the right.
It would be so easy to let the camera just be and film from a wider angle.
sarjulia 6 months ago
@sarjulia isn't there one post on youtube where people aren't attacking some aspect of it? Focus on the information, not critiquing the filming. We're lucky we even have this level of understanding and instruction available for FREE/
MsBixy 5 months ago 2
@MsBixy The quality of his lecture is so incredible that I would listen to it on audio without problem. I'm so happy that they recorded this and allow us to view it for free. This video alone made me feel like my pain wasn't the illusion people kept telling me it was.
MsAgnosticatheist 5 months ago
@MsBixy I totally agree! It is amazing! We are indeed very lucky! ... but does it harm to drive/aspire for better quality? It would be awesome to listen to this as just an audio-clip, which is what I ended up doing because (as mentioned in my comment) the filming was truly *distracting from the content* !
I am more than grateful for these amazing lectures available for FREE!
... but criticism isn't always bad, especially if it is constructive and not simply an attack without any purpose.
sarjulia 5 months ago
The worst effect is the universe stealing all my energy.
LegendarySpartan117 6 months ago
14 people were too depressed to watch this. :(
JamesK89 6 months ago
Thank you. this helps me understand whats going on.
JodiSherwood 6 months ago
Is he a wizard?
GeoffMezzanine 6 months ago 55
@GeoffMezzanine
maybe he will have the answers.... how do magnets work?
willC801 5 months ago
@GeoffMezzanine Yes, he makes Dumbledore look like Nevile Longbottom.
MsAgnosticatheist 4 months ago in playlist Mental Illness
He's a professor at stanford and centers his time on illuminating these subjects to us. That's why he's so good (probably). "Sense never fails to give those that have it, words enough to make them understood"
SaintsOfImpurity 6 months ago
@ColletteGurthet You should remove your comment. It adds nothing and embarrasses you.
But if you want to press the question, here's a partial list of guys with (occasionally funny) facial hair: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Jesus, Muhammad, Da Vinci, Freud, Nietzsche, Marx, Thoreau, Pirsig, Einstein...
So I think the rest of us will go ahead and listen to Dr. Sapolsky. Thanks for dropping by and reminding everyone that no matter how awesome you are, someone will criticize you. Good bye.
jonald32z 6 months ago
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jonald32z 6 months ago
When women stop doing emotional housekeeping for others is when you see the rate of depression decrease.
TheDawnStott 6 months ago
Good lecture!
lookalike23 6 months ago
Everyone deals with depression in different ways. I stopped caring and had an affair with a coworker. Then I quit my job the day before I was supposed to get a promotion. I guess even in feeling completely meaningless I still had a sense of guilt. Oh well. Now I'm living with my parents again and unemployed. I'm getting far too old for this shit.
iHAVE1j 6 months ago
The second version of WZDGU has a chapter called 'Managing Stress'
davwillev 6 months ago
That was depressing...
KORTOKtheSTRONG 6 months ago
I haven't watched this video (maybe I should?)... I am reading Professor Sapolsky's book "Why Zebras don't get Ulcers" and I already know that he does not provide practical advise on how to deal with stress (diet, lifestyle choices, etc.)
Does anyone know where Sapolsky speaks about how to go about your life in such a stress filled world? Thank you.
jaytonbye 6 months ago
@jaytonbye There's a quick video on YouTube as well, but the gist of it is that you should do stress reducing activities every day, including exercise, relaxing (my examples - yoga/meditation), spending time with family and friends (social support is very important).
There isn't anything revolutionary in the added chapter to WZDGU, but he does stress that you have to do it consistently - so whatever relaxes you, don't save it for the weekend, make it a regular practice.
jonald32z 6 months ago
@jonald32z He has such a solid understanding of the brain, I want to know how he goes about maximizing his own intellectual ability. Does he take supplements? Is his diet built around performance? The material he talks about is excellent, but I'm more interested in how he went about becoming so smart. It's more than smart, he doesn't stutter, get off topic, say umn; he just flows smoothly through all of the material. How does he prep? He's the best speaker I've ever heard. What are his secrets?
jaytonbye 6 months ago
@jaytonbye Those are all good questions. From reading his books I can tell you that a lot of the material is the same, just as a good comedian makes old material seem fresh during his routine, Sapolsky's covering the same territory and jokes he's used before.
He states he works 70 hours/week and relies on exercise as his main stress reducer. But as far as what makes him so awesome, no secrets are revealed. IMO he's simply super talented, smart and hard working. And he's been at Stanford for
jonald32z 6 months ago
@jonald32z at Stanford for about 30 years, so he's run through the topics enough to have them down pat. That said you're absolutely right about his knowledge, cohesion and presentation.
jonald32z 6 months ago
Love him! Mr Sapolsky is amazingly brilliant!
noraasworld 6 months ago
This man is very inspiring there are many ways to help depression though just talking in an open enviroment like northmkm.com would help hope this helped
TheVoicesUnited 6 months ago
So, the most dangerous point in depression is when one begins to rise from rock bottom. That is when most people commit suicide. I'm glad I caught that cause that's kind of where i am.
Mimasfriend 7 months ago 3
This man is not only brilliant but is able to make a complex subject very accessible. It is wonderful to have a greater understanding of how the disease manifests, and information on the influencing factors, but I wonder if there is a follow up lecture that goes more deeply into treatment modalities (drug and/or talk therapies), variants of drug resistant depressions, and a discussion about the degree of effectiveness of various treatment approaches.
JMar0801 7 months ago
Путеводная звезда приезжает планеты вступает в противоречия сильная только выдержит
Mrcash2424 7 months ago
What amazed me is when he talks about biological aspects and mentions increased muscle tone and metabolic rate in the stress category. I suffer from major depression and anxiety for about 5-6 years now and i never actively work out and never went to the gym, but i've got a quite visible muscle tone. I noticed it a couple years ago, when i was asked from different people do i work out or train some sports. I've always wondered why.
IIVikingII 7 months ago
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IIVikingII 7 months ago
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IIVikingII 7 months ago
Almost every depressed person i've met, including myself, has no idea what "this" is. That is to say (whether its forgotten or never recognized) we have no idea what event may have caused the depression. Thus we have nothing to relate it to. So when most people recognize that "this" (catastrophic event) is awful, we just associate that pain with the world as a whole.
HeTheCynic 7 months ago
You should watch him in Zeitgeist: Moving Forward here on Youtube.
globaluniverse5 7 months ago 2
I wish the audience hadn't laughed during the lecture. This is a serious subject. I felt offended whenever there was a laugh tra