VIEW SPEECH SUMMARY
- Despite wealth, health advances, and safety improvements, depression rates are rising.
- Half of people reporting happiness may be unaware of or hiding depression.
- Depression severely impacts daily functioning, mood, relationships, and can lead to suicide.
- Causes are multifaceted: biological, psychological, environmental, social, lifestyle-related.
2. Personal Experience and Insight
- Michal shares his personal battle with depression, highlighting that success, fame, money, or family alone don’t guarantee happiness.
- ADHD diagnosis and struggles with expectations and mental health are discussed.
- Support from family, friends, therapy, medication, and healthy habits were key for recovery.
3. Analysis of What Truly Affects Happiness
- Fame and constant chase for success increase stress and anxiety.
- Quality relationships trump income, IQ, and health markers for happiness.
- Unhealthy eating, unrealistic body image, overwork, and lack of purpose worsen mental states.
- Purposeful work and self-acceptance are crucial.
- Hedonic adaptation causes diminishing returns on repeated pleasures; being present is more rewarding.
- Gratitude and realistic expectations improve life satisfaction.
4. Actionable Advice
- Seek medical help quickly if depression symptoms are suspected; treatment is essential.
- Adopt healthy habits to support therapy and prevent depression; a calendar with suggested habits is available for download.
- Focus on deep personal relationships rather than superficial success or fame.
- Manage work-life balance to avoid burnout and depression risk.
- Practice self-love and acceptance.
- Use mindfulness and concentration on current activities to find joy.
- Let go of control in interpersonal conflicts and embrace serenity.
- Avoid addictive behaviors chasing dopamine rushes (e.g., drugs, excessive partying).
- Cultivate gratitude daily via journaling or similar practices.
5. Resources and Support
- A link is provided offering:
• A depression self-test for early detection.
• A habit calendar to improve mental health.
• Recommended books and courses on happiness science.
- Michal offers personal support to anyone struggling and encourages honest conversation about feelings.
6. Closing Encouragement
- Recovery and improved happiness are possible despite hardships.
- Never give up on yourself. Reach out for help and support.
Key Actionable Items:
- If feeling depressed or unsure, book an appointment with a healthcare provider immediately.
- Download and use the provided habit calendar to build healthy routines.
- Check the depression self-test to identify potential signs.
- Engage in gratitude journaling.
- Prioritize meaningful relationships and purposeful work.
- Avoid excessive work hours and harmful dopamine-seeking behaviors.
- Practice mindfulness and self-acceptance daily.
- Reach out for help—Michal is available for support.
Science, b*tch: why does the search for happiness get us depressed?
15:30 - 15:50, 28th of May (Wednesday) 2025 / INSPIRE STAGE
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WARNING: This presentation contains strong language and addresses sensitive topics including depression, suicide, sex, alcohol, drugs, and violence.
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A wave of depression is devastating societies across the globe. It is one of the biggest threats to our existence in the XXI century… yet, the world has never been richer, more peaceful and on the way to resolving its biggest problems. At the same time we as individuals have never given more effort to pursue happiness.
Why is that?
After achieving everything the society told me to achieve in my entire life and more by the time I was 35 I was suicidally depressed. That’s why in the last couple of years I devoted my life to supporting founders in their mental health and searching for joy in life.
Join me if you want to finally learn what it is that will make you happy, fulfilled and calm.
