We spoke a little at EAG London about how people underestimate the mental health challenges people face in EA, especially among the most senior people. You indicated a willingness to talk about it publicly. If you’re still up for it, could you tell us more about your own personal mental health over the past few years and your perceptions of what mental health is like amongst other effective altruists in leadership positions?
It was an AMA similar to this one where Will Macaskill revealed that he took antidepressant medication and that actually had a large impact on me. I have historically struggled with anxiety and depression and Will’s response contributed a large portion of the reason why I chose to ask my doctor about SSRIs in 2019. Luckily they worked and hopefully by sharing my experience I can pay this forward.
I have been lucky to find antidepressants, talk therapy, regular exercise, and proactively engaging with a supportive friend group to be a great combination to alleviate the ways in which anxiety would otherwise derail my day. I encourage other people suffering from these conditions to explore these options.
Anxiety and depression will still be a lifelong struggle for me. Even with all of this there are still a few days a year where I am so anxious and depressed that I sleep for sixteen hours and barely get out of bed. But it’s much less worse due to me being lucky enough to have effective treatment.
We spoke a little at EAG London about how people underestimate the mental health challenges people face in EA, especially among the most senior people. You indicated a willingness to talk about it publicly. If you’re still up for it, could you tell us more about your own personal mental health over the past few years and your perceptions of what mental health is like amongst other effective altruists in leadership positions?
It was an AMA similar to this one where Will Macaskill revealed that he took antidepressant medication and that actually had a large impact on me. I have historically struggled with anxiety and depression and Will’s response contributed a large portion of the reason why I chose to ask my doctor about SSRIs in 2019. Luckily they worked and hopefully by sharing my experience I can pay this forward.
Howie Lempel has also been very open about his experience. I think mental health concerns are common among EA “leaders” and I think they have been pretty open about it. I hope that continues and we could always use more.
I have been lucky to find antidepressants, talk therapy, regular exercise, and proactively engaging with a supportive friend group to be a great combination to alleviate the ways in which anxiety would otherwise derail my day. I encourage other people suffering from these conditions to explore these options.
Anxiety and depression will still be a lifelong struggle for me. Even with all of this there are still a few days a year where I am so anxious and depressed that I sleep for sixteen hours and barely get out of bed. But it’s much less worse due to me being lucky enough to have effective treatment.
I hope this answer inspires others as Will’s inspired you.