L'CHAIM – How to Overcome Depression and Revive Your Life’s Purpose
Psychologist Helping Professionals & Parents Resolve Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Trauma, and Live a Fulfilled & Bold Life | Author of the Bestseller Book, “You Are Not-Depressed. You Are Un-Finished.” | Keynoter & Podcaster
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.
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 to 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, at an emotional level, that things are not quite right. 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 7 pillars of emotional rights to resolve your depression
These are the seven universal pillars of emotional health:
I belong. I have deep connections, affection, and feel safe, with love both shared and received. A recent Harvard study showed that up to 50% of CEOs report feeling lonely, and men are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. “We are brought up to achieve and create, but not to connect. This goes beyond our primary relationship. Unless we work to connect authentically with others, we begin to detach from the world and drift.”
I am complete. My being is untethered from past challenges, hurt, and trauma. Many people live lives of regret, shame, and guilt. They are owned by the past. We need to own who we are, right here, right now, free of the past, available to engage with the world as a whole being, wholly present.
I am boundless. I am physically active, with body agency, engaged, and aligned with nature. We literally think with our entire body, but most people can’t hear it. We are not attuned to our physical being in space, nor our presence in the moment. Our bodies are an afterthought.
I matter. I am seen, valued, dignified, respected, and appreciated. We feel fulfilled when we are seen for our core dignity and the honor of simply being human among humans, free of status, position, or rank.
I make. I contribute in ways that reflect my potency and impact, and make my mark in this world. Two-thirds of Americans report feeling disengaged from their work. When you’re disengaged, you also have a higher rate of depression and anxiety.
I am. I speak with my true voice, values, and convictions, courageously expressing myself. If you don’t express your true self, something in you dies. Everybody has a story. Everybody has a voice. But too many people play it safe. They step back, defer, appease, and please, trying to get along.
I soar. I step into my life’s calling and purpose, and abundant growth. As Maya Angelou says, “There’s no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” So many people go through life sleepwalking. What is your story? When we don’t own our unique story, our journey, we not only lose our standing in life, we lose our soul.”
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.
Read more from Dr. Ardeshir Mehran
Dr. Ardeshir Mehran, High-Achievers Depression & Anxiety Disruptor
Dr. Ardeshir Mehran is disrupting the mental health field. His mission is to help to heal depression and to ease he emotional suffering of people across the world. Everyone else portrays depression as an immovable cause, a mood disorder that must be treated. Dr. Mehran busts this myth and focuses attention on the real culprit, the unfulfilled life we must lead when we deny our birthrights. He is the developer of The Bill of Emotional Rights©, based on 30 years of research, coaching, and clinical work. Ardeshir is a psychologist, trauma therapist, and behavioral researcher. He has a Ph.D. and a Master's from Columbia University, New York City. He lives in Northern California with his wife, son, and Lucy (the family’s golden retriever).
