245 SelfWork: "How Could I Have Not Known?" The Shock of Sudden Suicide
The SelfWork Podcast
Margaret Robinson Rutherford PhD
4.8 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 20 August 2021
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Sometimes I receive an email that tears at my heartstrings. And this week was one of those times. I’ll read you the email – the heads up is that it’s about a sudden and totally unexpected suicide that led its writer to reach out to me about perfectly hidden depression with the question – Can someone hide depression, even suicidal thinking, from themselves? I’ll give my unequivocal answer.
Our listener voicemail also mentions perfectly hidden depression, but is basically a question about what my thoughts are about when to go consider medication for depression. I’m not a prescriber nor a psychiatrist so I can only offer general thoughts on this topic as a psychologist, but I can address it.
I’m so thankful to so many of you for leaving reviews on Apple Podcasts – the last one said, “ This woman has changed my entire life! I didn’t even realize how traumatized I was or that I even needed therapy before this podcast. Nevertheless, my friend suggested that I listen and since then I have a consistent relationship with my therapist through BetterHelp.com, learned to building constructive boundaries, and working on my relationship with my parents! I love the space she’s created in helping us to understand larger context while providing relevant examples!! I love it here!!!
So thank you so much for those kind words, and we’ll hear once again today about an offer from BetterHelp!
Important Links:
BetterHelp, the #1 online therapy provider, has a special offer for you now!
NAMI's Five Major Myths About Suicide
My Psychology Today article discussing how therapists can "see" through the armor of perfectionism
You can hear more about this and many other topics by listening to my podcast, SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Subscribe to my websiteand receive my weekly newsletter including a blog post and podcast! If you’d like to join my FaceBook closed group, then click hereand answer the membership questions! Welcome!
My book entitled Perfectly Hidden Depression has been published and you can order here! Its message is specifically for those with a struggle with strong perfectionism which acts to mask underlying emotional pain. But the many self-help techniques described can be used by everyone who chooses to begin to address emotions long hidden away that are clouding and sabotaging your current life. And it’s available in paperback, eBook or as an audiobook!
Now there’s another way to send me a message! You can record by clicking below and ask your question or make a comment. You’ll have 90 seconds to do so and that time goes quickly. By recording, you’re giving SelfWork (and me) permission to use your voice on the podcast. I’ll look forward to hearing from you!
Our Sponsors: * Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This is Selfwork, and I'm Dr. Margaret Rutherford. |
| 0:14.1 | At Selfwork, we'll discuss psychological and emotional issues common in today's world |
| 0:19.0 | and what to do about them. |
| 0:20.4 | I'm Dr. Margaret, and Selfwork is a podcast dedicated to you taking just a few minutes today |
| 0:26.2 | for your own Selfwork. |
| 0:29.8 | Hello, and welcome or welcome back to Selfwork. |
| 0:32.7 | I'm Dr. Margaret Rutherford, I'm a clinical psychologist at a fave Arkansas, and I wanted |
| 0:38.0 | to extend the walls of my practice now almost five years ago so that I could reach those |
| 0:43.0 | of you who might already be very interested in psychological and emotional issues to those |
| 0:47.5 | of you who've just been diagnosed with something or you suspect something, but also to those |
| 0:52.4 | of you who are just looking for answers and might never darken the door with therapist |
| 0:57.4 | or you say you wouldn't. |
| 0:58.8 | And again, you're on a search, and I'll do my best to answer the questions you have. |
| 1:04.9 | Sometimes I receive an email that tears at my heartstrings, and this week was one of those |
| 1:10.1 | times. |
| 1:11.1 | I'll read you the email. |
| 1:12.6 | The heads up is that it's about a sudden and totally unexpected suicide that led this |
| 1:17.4 | emailer to reach out to me about perfectly hidden depression with this question. |
| 1:22.2 | Can someone hide depression even suicidal thinking from themselves? |
| 1:26.6 | I'll give my unequivocal answer. |
| 1:29.3 | Our listener voicemail also mentions perfectly hidden depression, but is basically a question |
| 1:34.3 | about what my thoughts are about going on medication for depression. |
... |
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