“Having something worthwhile to do makes a big difference.”
In short: Jordan Peterson, the Canadian psychologist and author of 12 Rules for Life (also on Audible), answers Brian Rose’s question about what he would tell his 20-year-old self in this London Real Success Secrets clip, recorded in 2018, talking about depression, his family and what helps him keep going.
Asked what he would say to his younger self, who grew up in Alberta, Peterson says it would be reassurance about depression: that something can be done about it. He describes a family predisposition to depression that he thinks may be connected to autoimmune sensitivity.
He tells a story about his daughter, who lived with serious arthritis and depression, and says he has been off antidepressants for more than a year, though he hesitates to say depression has gone for good.
Key takeaways
- Depression can be addressed. His advice to his younger self is reassurance that there is something that can be done about it.
- A family pattern. He describes a strong familial streak of depression that he suspects is linked to an autoimmune sensitivity.
- Pain and depression. His daughter, he says, chose to keep her arthritis over her depression when asked which illness she would keep.
- Stay vigilant and hopeful. He says he cannot rule out depression returning, and that you have to stay vigilant and hopeful.
- It has receded. He says he has been off antidepressants for over a year and that depression has receded, with echoes now and then.
- Structure helps. Something worthwhile to do, routine, people who love you and a life all help.
Advice to his 20-year-old self
Peterson, who grew up in Alberta, says his younger self most needed reassurance about depression. He says depression ran strongly in his family and may be associated with an autoimmune sensitivity, and that it was brutal.
A daughter’s choice
He tells how his daughter, who had the same predisposition, had severe arthritis that damaged her ankle and hip in her teens and was treated with large doses of opiates. When he asked her which illness she would keep, she chose the arthritis.
Learning to keep going
Peterson says he has not taken antidepressants for over a year and that depression has receded, though he does not count on it staying away. He says he has learned to keep going, and that purpose, routine, loving people and a life make a significant difference.
Who is Jordan Peterson?
Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, professor and author, best known for 12 Rules for Life. He appeared on London Real in 2018 and talked about the book in a longer conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist and author of 12 Rules for Life.
He says it would be reassurance that something can be done about depression.
He says he grew up in Alberta, Canada, and that it was tough.
He says having something worthwhile to do, routine, structure, loving people and a life all help.
He said he had not taken antidepressants for more than a year at the time of the interview, and that his depression had receded.
