Rick Rubin on depression: Artists often suffer | Lex Fridman Podcast Clips

TL;DR

A successful artist shares their experience with depression and the various therapies they tried to find healing.

Transcript

and when i went through depression afterwards i was a different person than i was before and i and i feel more um grounded now than i did then and i probably relate to the artists who so many of the artists i work with suffer so many artists suffer because that's part of what makes an artist great is their level of sensitivity that the same thing t... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Depression can be triggered by seemingly insignificant events and can make one feel vulnerable and destabilized.
• 🍗 Trying a variety of therapies, including alternative and conventional approaches, may be necessary to find relief from depression.
• 💊 The stigma around Western medicine may be a barrier to seeking help, but sometimes psychopharmacologists can offer valuable guidance.
• 💦 It may take time and persistence to find the right medication for depression, as not all antidepressants work for everyone.
• 🤞 Depression can resurface in the future, but having successful experiences with treatment in the past can provide hope and confidence.
• 🖐️ Personal history and upbringing can play a role in one's ability to cope with challenges and controversies.
• 👨‍💼 Stress in the business world can also contribute to the development or exacerbation of depression.

Questions & Answers

Q: What triggered the artist's depression?

The artist's depression was triggered by a comment about work that made them feel like the rug had been pulled out from under them, leading to feelings of vulnerability.

Q: How did the artist eventually find relief from depression?

The artist tried various therapies, including alternative treatments and talk therapy, but found success only after consulting a psychopharmacologist who recommended an antidepressant, which took several months to find the right one.

Q: Did the artist experience depression multiple times?

Yes, the artist experienced depression again some years later but was able to find relief with the same antidepressant that had worked previously.

Q: Did the artist try to understand the triggers for their depression?

The artist attributed some of their struggles to their upbringing, where they didn't have much experience with controversy or the ability to cope with challenges. However, the incident that triggered their depression was specific to a business-related issue.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The content discusses the artist's struggle with depression after a triggering incident related to work, which made them feel vulnerable.

• The artist tried various forms of therapy, including alternative therapies, acupuncture, talk therapy, and herbs, but nothing seemed to work initially.

• Eventually, they found a psychopharmacologist who recommended an antidepressant that helped them overcome their depression.