Honestly, I feel like this episode is the single best depiction of what depression feels and looks like (at least in my case) - it's not necessarily that you are sad 24/7, it's just that the joy is sucked out of everything, everything becomes underwhelming and honestly, kinda bothersome, more like a chore rather than an enjoyable activity. It's not that you are down, it's more like everything around you becomes, well, shit. And you don't really manage to enjoy shit. And that's what pulls you down eventually, And then you just... give up. It's not worth it anymore, so why put in any effort into anything? Why clean my room if it's still looking like shit afterwards? Why shower if I still look and smell like shit afterwards and if the water on my skin feels like shit? You just stop caring about anything when everything is shit, because let's face it, nobody cares about shit.
@@DoctorElliottCarthyexactly, it’s the pervasive numbness and emptiness, and you feel like it’ll never get better. The one thing I find that can distract me from the numbness is strangely, caring for my aquariums, I think it’s because they represent one aspect of my life that I *AM* able to completely control…
@@DoctorElliottCarthy Man, I can relate to STAN. this episode actually premiered a year before my mother passed. ever since she passed away, I haven’t been the same.
@@DoctorElliottCarthy what makes it great is that this topic is directly talked and referenced about for YEARS in later episodes. it is also used to explain stans and randys alcoholism
The sequel to this episode has Stan become an alcoholic (In a parody of Matrix) where drinking Jack Daniels makes the world "Seem less like shit." I think it's a good episode to talk about.
Abe Simpson: I used to be "with it", but then they changed what "it" was. Now what I'm with isn't it and what is it seems weird and scary to me. And it'll happen to YOU!
The way you explain how depression works makes the way my depression was about a decade ago make more sense. I focused on a lot of he negatives, "work is terrible so why try when I get there", "my room is so small that it doesn’t matter if I clean it because it will still look like shit", "I am fat and ugly, and I will always be", stuff like that. I only improved after getting away from the environment and things I hated being around for so long.
My step brother was just like that growing up, every time I had a birthday and got presents he had to get one also. It's like he couldn't comprehend that the universe didn't revolve around him. He was a very weird child and looking back he clearly had a lot of undiagnosed mental conditions as this was 30 years ago.
This is a two part episode if I'm not mistaken. In the second part the school guidance counselor suspects Stan is on the autism spectrum and ends up in a support group with a bunch of conspiracy theorists.
My boyfriend would always say that anything he doesn't like sucks, and we have a different taste in food, music, and movies. It was annoying, but I could handle it. But when our daughter was born, I put my foot down and told him to rephrase it to "I don't like it" instead of "barney sucks/ is stupid" because the latter implies that she likes things that suck or that she must be stupid for liking something stupid, but everyone is allowed to have their different opinions on what they like or don't like. And we have talked about how even if we don't like something for ourselves, we can be happy that it brings joy to people we love, and we love watching our daughter sing and dance and smile.
One of my favorite Family Guy cutaways is old Stewie in the future jealous of young people, saying “Stupid younger generation. Back in my day we had Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber. That was REAL music!” 😂
Thank you so much for looking at this episode. As someone who has been dealing with depression since childhood, I saw so much of myself in Stan and it was fascinating to hear what a professional had to say about it ❤
I heard everyone's taste in music is "What I was listening too from 16-25" and it locks in. For most people it seems to be true (See the recent spate of nostalgia pieces talking about how Limp Bizkit "was really good"))
While I agree for the most part, I think it’s hard to argue that music made after 2010 has the same cultural importance as music from the 60s-90s, and I’m only 27 There are a ton of valid reasons to disagree with that, but I don’t think music will be “part of the revolution” like it once was.
I'm so glad to see you watch this episode. I remember watching this for the first time and being so surprised at how well potty humor was used to show depression.
Interesting fact, Matt and Trey actually wrote these two episodes because they sensed that South Park became stuck in the immaturity of their early days. The whole Randy storyline depicts how they kept trying to recapture those early days, but ultimately felt unhappy and needed to "grow up"... in the later seasons, the storylines became longer, more complex, and actually matured :)
My therapist is leaving. It's breaking my heart and there's not a damn thing I can do about it. Sometimes I feel like the only reason good people come into my life, is so it can hurt more when they're gone.
This is part one of a two parter. To be complete, you’d really need to also cover the Ass Burgers episode, it has a lot of resolution to the stuff in this episode and a lot interesting psychologically. Like Stan starts drinking to like things again, and his depresssion is diagnosed as “ass burgers” syndrome due to vaccines.
Please don’t apologize for discussing defense mechanisms, Dr. Elliot! They were one of the topics on my clinical exam, and I’m not even practicing medicine. I’m a social worker. Psychiatrists discussing defense mechanisms is legit one of the things that helped me pass my exam.
Wow, this is so true. I bipolar 2 and spent 10 years hardly leaving my house. I listened to the most depressing music and even had a playlist named Sad. I couldn't listen to happy songs, they just made me feel worse. I pushed everyone I knew away, and they all took the bait. They left. I needed people around me more than ever and there was no one there. They didn't know the right techniques. They still don't. Thankfully I eventually found a great psychiatrist and therapist who worked well with me and didn't give up on me. Eventually we found the right med combo and I learned all the techniques to live life again. Obviously bipolar is a life long condition and I am in a depressive state again but I don't think I'll ever get as low as I was during those 10 years and I know now that I got of it once so I can do it again. That's hope.
I honestly didn't know Stan had depression when I first saw this episode. My depression is feeling down and hopeless. I've never heard of these symptoms of depression where everything is viewed negatively. Very educational. Thank you!
*shakes fist* "Back in my day, we had to walk FIFTEEN miles to school uphill in the snow! And we didn't even have shoes, so we had to stand in cowpats to keep our feet warm!"
If they want to make the depression depiction extra authenthic, stan will end his own suffering after all his friends and family eventually distance themselves from him over the years. And when he does, they'll unonimously call him a selfish coward.
I still remember being 15 and listening to a baseball coach, when consoling a teammate about the suicide of one of his friends, say that suicide is the single most selfish act anyone could do. Turns out the coach was a serial adulterer, so him giving a lecture on selfishness is extra hypocritical. But the social stigma around painting those with suicidal ideation as just being selfish is a level of fucked up that teenager me would struggle to reconcile for years, even through the times when that thought crossed my own mind
In a world where two men stand side by side, Connected by a bond, no need to hide. Eight inches of friendship, not what you think, It's the measure of trust, stronger than a link. They navigate life, facing highs and lows, Through laughter and tears, their friendship grows. Eight inches may measure more than length, It's the depth of their bond, a source of strength. Through thick and thin, they stride together, Facing storms and fair weather. Eight inches, not a physical measure, But a symbol of friendship, a lasting treasure
Getting along with people can be extremely difficult when you have mental problems. I don't suffer from depression but one of my most severe problems is extreme apathy. I'm basically completely incapable of feeling any motivation or concerns, or ambitions whatsoever. And getting people to understand that is extremely difficult. Even my treatment is basically making no progress cause I'm incapable of feeling any motivation to feel better. And trying to explain that to people can be really difficult.
Due to trauma and a messed up childhood, during covid (where I was trapped in a house with a guy I just started dating that I stupidly moved in with at the beginning of covid), something happened that caused regression. I regressed so far that I couldn't speak (connected to fear) for months. It was so unbelievably frustrating, and the fact that it lasted so long was terrifying as well. Plus side though, my parents couldn't call me, they had to text me lol.
"Is the key to depression all about trying to have a more positive mindset?" - This is something that I actually have some firsthand experience with. As a note, this is evidenced by one person's experiences, and should in no way be taken as peer-reviewed. I found that a more positive mindset without additional assistance was helpful, but only for a short length of time (a matter of months). I have a feeling it could certainly assist with recovery if there is sufficient willpower along with other structures and methods to assist with dealing with depression (including but not limited to: therapy, medication, social support networks, and work support networks). The point of this is to say it is fascinating that it has an effect, but it is far from a "solution".
I think it is a solution, just not for everyone. As with many other complex illnesses, there can exist many different methods depending on the person. For me for example "force pushing through it" has been the most effective way to deal with difficult times all my whole life so far. It requires patience but it worked for me. Although I never recommend or insis people around should do the same, everyone is different.
I don't remember where I heard the phrase "Asking a depressed person 'Why are you sad, you have so much to be happy about?' is like asking an asthmatic person 'Why are you so short of breath, there's so much air around?' " or something to that extent, and that's the analogy I use to explain depression to people now; I think it's a good one.
I certainly have lost friends due to my depression. I don't leave the house anymore. Because I can't. So I'm completely isolated. But a big part of me doesn't mind that. I've seen what's outside and I don't like it.
It was also a reflection on south park season in the first half season 15. Humancentipad, funnybot,royal pudding, tmi, were some of the most poorly written episodes imo. It was rare for SP to have several bad episodes in a row. It was second half of season in Autumn that the episodes picked up steam again and can see the difference in writing.
I remember at the time we thought this was Matt and Trey telling us they were tired and the show may be ending. They later confirmed on the commentary that this wasn't true
12:00 Bill Hader is actually doing one of the characters here. There is a video on youtube where you can see how they recorded that scene. I highly recommend watching it, because these guys went crazy laughing and having such a blast doing it. Has to be one of the funniest videos on youtube :D
I really hate when people call me negative. I'm depressed, but I wouldn't say I have a "negative bias". Sometimes I call out Objectively bad things, either because it bothers me, or I just want to discuss it. Instead I'm met with "You're so negative", etc. I get that people want to live in fake happiness all the time, but I never liked being fake. Honestly, I don't believe I'm really depressed. My mood is just down because I can't seem to find people that like me.
Thanks for covering this. It is such a sad episode of South Park and it has really stayed in my memory. It was great to hear a psychiatric explanation as to what was happening to the characters.
It’s interesting. I’ve struggled with major depression since I was about 13 when I gained a disability. I have always been somewhat cynical and stubborn, but when I was younger it was more along the lines of, why do we do things the way we do them And I was never satisfied with the because we do “answers. But as I got older and then started having a mood problem. It became cynicism and scepticism, which in someways I am glad to have. But it can also stray into firmly negative territory. Interestingly however, when I was around friends, they would just start calling me negative, and then that became the butt of a joke, which actually just shamed me into keeping my mouth shut altogether, which just added another layer to what was already messing with me. It’s not that they were necessarily wrong. I found them to airy fairy la de da, and I found it hard to be like that. But constantly getting called out on it actually made me worse internally, even though I probably seemed better externally because I just learned to shut up because I realise nobody wanted to hear it and then attached, those feelings to more lack of self-worth. I think this episode does this stuff really well.
It’s weird, I find myself on the fence of depression. I’m not being overly negative a lot of times but I still find very little joy in most things. I tell myself I’m just more practical in nature and that people are just too emotional with the little things but I guess it’s not normal to win at something and go “alright, cool” or to look at most recreational activities and call the useless
We think music was better in our day because children have a higher capacity to feel happy and make memories. Music is a tool we use to relive feelings of the past. Music of now is just music, music of our time invokes happier memories
I kinda hate how humans like one word concepts instead of using a descriptive title. Like the word "syndrome" creates a strong reaction in people, while in reality it's usually just the way a person thinks in a certain case.
Another analogy I read was food. Being depressed is like being hungry like anybody else, but everything tastes like unseasoned mashed potatoes. No enjoyable taste or texture. Have you tried this food or that? No, _everything_ tastes like unseasoned mashed potatoes.
Im not a doctor, but if its true that your brain doesnt finish developing until your 20s then it makes sense that the music you listen to in your formative years is taken in and connected with much more deeply than the newer music you'd listen to when you're older
If you are in the US, be very wary of family therapy. Ask a lot of questions if it is your therapist, and make sure you trust them. If it is someone else's therapist, ask more questions. If it is specifically a christian therapist (not a therapist who believes in any particular faith, but therapy that is specifically organized around christianity) and you are underage, don't say a thing. A lot of those places do not require their "therapists" to have a degree, they will tell your parents everything, because of the christian idea that you should respect your parents and always obey them, they will always take their side, and often they can traumatize you more. If you are under 18, speak to a counselor or therapist at your school. Schools are underfunded, so it won't be great, but they will be a much safer option, especially if your parents fucking suck. But they do have to report child and s*xual abuse, as well as if you are a danger to yourself or others, which is a requirement for all therapists. They can't prescribe you medication, but they can suggest a psychiatrist to your parents. And a christian therapist can't prescribe either. So you are still in better hands.
The mention of intranasal oxytocin intrigues me. Oxytocin is a big part of my job as midwife and I was always taught that synthetic oxytocin doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier, so it doesn't give the same happy/lovey effects as endogenous oxytocin. Curious as to how intranasal works on the brain? A quick Google does suggest there's some debate as to how well it does work
I relate so well, people think I enjoy doing maintenance on bikes but I find it boring and get a yay done after completing but then like meh 5 seconds later
The theme with everything sounding and tasting like shit to Stan is something I can relate to all too well. It describes how I started feeling when my depression became a lot worse perfectly.
Repeat after me If at first you don't succeed If at first you don't succeed It's ok it's a learning opportunity It means it's trash I'm trash and never doing it again
The Tween wave thing I still dislike how parents interpret it as garbage because I got 2 albums got my birthday of Ice Cube Death certificate and Biggies Ready to die took those albums from me because they thought it was bad looking and lost theme never forgave theme for that
Until recently, I thought I had kept up with music and was proud of myself. But recently I have come to accept that I don't understand modern music and what I thought would never happen to me.has
No wonder why i couldn't listen to songs the same way i used to,i lose the spark, everything sounds the same for me Im seeking help right now :D hope my depression will be gone sooner or later
I've never made a video request before, so please forgive me if this isn't the way to do so. I am kind of curious if you would be interested in reacting to Family Guy s10e2 "Seahorse Seashell Party" where Meg confronts her family about how they treat her and/or Family Guy s8e17 "Brian & Stewie" where the duo discuss living with purpose, depression, and self unlifing (censoring because im not sure if YT will allow the real word) As a kid, with an unhealthy amount of free access to shows to I shouldn't have been watching, these two episodes had a key role in my journey to understanding my own mental health and being able to reflect on emotions. Albeit, healthy role models or more like things that mental health shouldn't be. Obviously no obligations involved. Just a preemptive thank you, should you choose to review them. Also please don't worry about any offense being taken either way. I understand that my interpretations and meanings will not always match those of others.
Great video, but im suck of people saying you cant "will away depression". Thats what i did and I havent been depressed in the 8 years since, even through family deaths, breakups, and quarantine. Its all in your head
Neurology, Brain anatomy, Biology, and psychodynamic/CBT are all in your content. You are a very fine psychiatric Doc.....dude👍.(wish I hadn't watched The Big Lebowski again recently)
Hey i have problems when i get depressed it like i can hurt myself and anyone else not think twice but finding a relationship whith our lord took the voice away
As for the generational aspect of the episode I think it depends on what you were exposed to growing up, I was born in 84 so technically I'm a millennial, but an older one who finds more in common with Gen-X, but growing up, entertainment wise, I watched and listened to a lot of stuff from past decades, I have no problem listening to classical music or complain about the lack of color in a black and white movie and even silent movies don't bother me, though all of that slowed down by the mid 2000's, now I barely keep up with anything new, it's more miss than hit and I go back more to the past decades for entertainment, the only new thing I keep up with is anime.
Just wanted to say, I recently watched your reaction to It's A Sin and instantly became a fan of this channel. I have a suggestion. Please PLEASE do A Normal Heart. World AIDS day is December 1st. Just sayin'. I'd love to see your take on this movie. I read the book and I think the movie does it great justice. I think that's due to the fact Larry Kramer and Ryan Murphy worked closely together so that the movie was as accurate as possible. It's a devastating movie, but an important one on LGBTQIA+ history.
