This is Depression: Episode 1
Silken Laumann captured the hearts of Canadians with her incredible resilience, rowing to a bronze medal in single sculls despite a devastating injury. But after the cheers faded, she realized she was facing a new challenge: depression.
In this episode, host Dr. Diane McIntosh sits down with Silken to explore her journey, discussing the symptoms, causes, and path to understanding her mental illness. Dr. McIntosh is later joined by her colleague and friend, Dr. Randy Mackoff, for an honest and insightful conversation about effective treatments for depression.
It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, whether you’re an Olympic superstar or not, depression can affect anyone. Listen to this episode of PSYCHEDUP to get educated and inspired.
PODCAST GUEST
Silken Laumann
Olympian, Canadian champion rower, mental health advocate
Four-time Olympian and three-time Olympic medal winner, Silken Laumann, is one of Canada’s most inspirational leaders, a speaker, best-selling author, founder of a national charity, and a child and mental health advocate.
Silken’s Olympic story is legendary and inspirational. As reigning world champion, Silken fought back from a devastating rowing accident, to win a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
In her best-selling memoir, Unsinkable, Silken shines a spotlight on all the obstacles she has encountered and overcome. Silken speaks candidly about her athletic success and triumph over physical adversity, but also the intense personal challenges of her past and the fierce determination she applies to living a bold and successful life today.
Silken is the founder of Unsinkable, a multimedia non-profit organization that uses story-telling and lived experience to move people further along their mental, physical, and spiritual journey.
In the fall of 2024, Silken launched a podcast titled Inflection Time that aims to hold space for meaningful conversations surrounding the inflection points in our lives. Her dynamic energy underscores a singular message: to see opportunities within obstacles, challenge our own boundaries, and remain undeterred by hurdles.
Silken’s dynamic energy underscores a singular message: to see opportunities within obstacles, challenge our own boundaries, and remain undeterred by hurdles.
Dr. Randy Mackoff, PhD
Dr. Randy Mackoff is a registered psychologist in British Columbia. He has a private clinical practice where he provides psychological treatment for a wide range of issues, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, PTSD, coping with psychosis, and marital therapy. He is a retired Professor in the Criminology Department at Douglas College and a past Chairperson of the Criminology Department. He is a Clinical Associate in the Clinical Psychology Department at Simon Fraser University, providing clinical supervision to graduate students. He currently consults with law enforcement agencies in Crisis Negotiations, Undercover Operations, Witness Protection, Psychological Support for witnesses, Source Suitability, Major Crimes, Recruiting, and Human Resources. He is a designated Vancouver Police Department Psychologist and represents them at the Major Cities Chiefs Association Psychology meetings. He is the Co-Chair of the Psychology Committee for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP).
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Episode Highlights
05:58
Dr. Diane McIntosh talks about the many symptoms of depression
9:40
Silken Laumann discusses her medical journey and experience living with a mental illness, and having to ask for help
11:40
Dr. Randy Mackoff gives a psychologist's perspective on treating depression
17:13
Silken discusses her search for the right medication
Key quotes from This is Depression
“That's the thing about depression, it can show up unexpectedly at different times in our lives, and it can look and feel very different for each person.”
There are nine other symptoms that can all be part of a depression diagnosis, like changes in your sleep pattern, weight loss, weight gain, restlessness or feeling slowed down. There’s also fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness. And there can also be recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.” (6:50)
“As a psychiatrist for 25 years, I can tell you unequivocally that…when it comes to depression, there is always a path ahead.” (7:35)
“I didn’t want to go on medication like a lot of people, and I thought medication would change my personality. I thought it change the essence of who I was as a person but nothing could be further from the truth. In my experience, it really brought me back into a stronger version of me…I remember thinking, oh, this is what it feels like not to feel sad. It’s awesome.” (19:28)
“Sticking with medication is so important, but just as important is not waiting too long to switch a medication that isn’t working.” (21:35)
More About Depression
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a serious medical condition affecting mood, thoughts, and behavior. It goes beyond feelings of sadness, lasting weeks or longer, and can impact daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Depression stems from a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors, including stress and brain chemistry.
Depression impacts more than just mood—it affects thoughts, behavior, and physical well-being. Symptoms vary widely and may be hard to recognize, especially in teenagers, where normal mood swings can overlap with signs of depression. Common symptoms include persistent sadness, anxiety, or emotional numbness, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep or appetite, and feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness.
Physical and cognitive effects like fatigue, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and indecisiveness are also common. In severe cases, depression may lead to thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, or delusions. These signs should never be ignored, as early intervention can make a critical difference.
Assess severity: Identify if depression is mild, moderate, or severe to guide care.
Medication: Medication is often essential alongside therapy for moderate to severe cases, with treatment lasting at least a year to prevent relapse.
Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps address negative thoughts and relationship challenges.
Personalized care: Combine tailored treatment with lifestyle changes and professional support for lasting recovery.
Related Posts on Depression
Silken Laumann on living and thriving with depression
PSYCHEDUP PODCAST: Understanding and acting on mental illness
Link Between Early Life Adversity and Adult Illness: Epigenetics
Seven Step Action Plan to Support Employee Mental Health
Psychiatric Guidance for Optimal Patient Care
Founded by Dr. Diane McIntosh, RAPIDS Health provides timely, effective clinical decision support for mental health diagnosis and treatment. Whether you’re a clinician or someone seeking help, we offer evidence-based, personalized treatment guidance tailored to each individual’s needs.