Depression Explained: Symptoms, Brain Chemistry, Motivation & Hope | Dr Isabelle Mercer | Schoen Clinic Unscripted

Depression is often misunderstood as “just feeling sad” — but clinically, it can affect energy, motivation, sleep, concentration, pleasure, and your sense of self.

In this episode of Schoen Clinic Unscripted, host Greg Anderson is joined by Dr Isabelle (Izzy) Mercer, Clinical Psychologist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, to explore what depression really feels like, what’s happening in the brain, and why recovery is rarely a straight line.

We cover:

What depression can feel like (beyond sadness): emptiness, heaviness, loss of joy

How depression differs from low mood (duration, intensity, and impact) Links between depression, trauma and PTSD (and why symptoms can overlap)

Why progress can come in ups and downs — not a perfect upward line

What the brain is doing in depression (reward system, dopamine, motivation)

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