Tackling Depression Through Lean Startup Methodologies: Is It Possible?
Can lean startup methodology be used to tackle depression? This is the question I ask myself today in this article. In so far as it matters, I only know of lean startup methodology through the startup company that I most recently ran for the past three years. It is a methodology that attempts to create what is known as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), that is, the product (or service) that has been developed just enough to the point where it can start to acquire customers and generate revenues.
In dealing with depression however, a different MVP must be considered; the Minimum Viable Person. As far as I can tell, no one has written about this different MVP as it relates to dealing with depression. As a former founder myself going through a deep depression at the moment, I find myself compelled to take what I learned from running my business and apply it to recovery efforts from this depression that has brought me to my knees.
So what is a Minimum Viable Person exactly? I define it as an individual who is minimally self sufficient in three key areas: Mental Health, Physical Health, and Social Health. I intentionally have removed financial health from this equation because when we are talking about depression, there is no profit motive. The only motive there is is to get oneself back to living life again as a member of society who finds a minimum amount of enjoyment, security, and stability in their life. Lets now turn to the three key areas to mention a few points for each.
Mental Health
The most important element of a minimum viable person is their mental health. Without a healthy mental state, the other two elements (physical & social health) cannot be minimally achieved. The logical place then to start to become a minimum viable person then is to work on one’s mental health. How does one who currently is mentally unhealthy become healthy again? A good first step is to swallow your pride and go see two different professionals; 1. a Psychiatrist and 2. a Talk Therapist.
The Psychiatrist will take care of the immediate short term pain that one who is not mentally healthy may feel. Feelings of depression, anxiety, lethargy, lack of focus, etc. are some of the short term symptoms someone who is depressed may feel on a daily basis. As depression is now being treated more and more like a disease (and rightfully so), psychiatrists have the job of prescribing medications that will chemically balance the imbalances a mentally unstable person may be exhibiting. Through close consultation and through trial and error, these medications taken in the right dose and combination have the ability to make the mental health of individuals better in the short term so that the long term road to recovery can be paved with good intentions.
The Talk Therapist will take care of the long term pain that one who is not mentally healthy is feeling and will feel as they progress in their recovery efforts. Most people do not have someone they can confide in who can be completely objective and who is trained in helping people work out the blocks they may have in their lives. A talk therapist will be prepared to tackle the challenges that are unique to each individual and help guide them down the road to recovery. This is a much longer term approach towards recovery and that is why the first part of mental health is so important to bring an individual to a state of mind where he or she is ready to talk about their issues. It makes sense to test multiple professionals until you find someone whom you are completely comfortable with. Not everyone will match your personality or have background on the unique issues you may be facing, so ensure you screen your talk therapists just like you would any other contractor.
Physical Health
A minimum viable person must have a minimum level of physical health in order to feel secure with their own bodies. As spiritual as many of us are, the harsh reality is that we are mortals living in a world where our health is paramount for us to experience the beauty that life has to offer. When we are not physically healthy, a road block is created through our adverse actions. While some physical ailments are unavoidable, many of the unhealthy characteristics that one exhibits as it relates to their health is completely self inflicted.
A depressed individual for instance may stop going to the gym and turn to unhealthy foods for comfort. I know from first hand experience that I have not been to a gym in months and binge eat regularly and it shows. From my ideal weight of 220 pounds 2 years ago, I have ballooned to nearly 350 pounds. It is said that ones outward appearance reflects the inner turmoil they may be experiencing and I for one am proof of that.
So what can one do to get their physical health back on track? A minimum viable person will need to focus on 1. Exercise and 2. Consumption in order to get themselves back on the right track. NOTE: One can only get back on the right track in their physical health if they have first handled their mental health. Nothing is more self sabotaging than operating under a mentally unstable mindset. Exercise and consumption are pretty self explanatory and I am not a nutritionist, so I will allow the reader to research their own exercise and dietary routines. I hope the point however is driven home that this pillar of a minimum viable person is incredibly important and that all of the pillars interrelate to one another. A healthy body builds a healthy mind through confidence in ones physical abilities and appearance.
Social Health
The final pillar which is extremely important to become a minimum viable person is an individuals social activities and structures, and the relative health of them. Depression makes people disengage from the world. Many people who are depressed end up turning inward and begin to carve out a private nook in their lives where only they can reside. This results in friends, families, colleagues, work opportunities, and other social activities to take a non existent seat at the back of a depressed person’s priorities. This is a recipe for disaster however. Isolating oneself from the rest of the world at a time when just the opposite is needed adds fuel to the depression fire.
If a person’s mental health and physical health are under control, then the social health of an individual can begin to be rekindled once more. There will be a lot of struggle no doubt to begin to put oneself back into the social spheres of the past or to join new social spheres that are more empowering in the future. However, with a little bit of effort and forcing oneself to be social, one’s comfort zone will expand again so that they are comfortable interacting and engaging in the world. Peoples invitations will not go unnoticed anymore. Friends will come back into your life because if they truly are your friends, they will understand that you are going through a tough time. Social activities may be the most frightful part of becoming a minimum viable person, but in reality, it is the easiest and most rewarding part to be accepted back into the world by people who care for you and want to see you get well.
Taking My Own Advice
As I read over this article I can’t help but say to myself…why don’t you take your own advice Manolis? Becoming a minimum viable person is your first step to getting back to a life worth living again instead of just existing in your current state. I believe writing is the first step that anyone can take to build a road map to recovery. As I free up space in my life and eliminate distractions, I will find myself walking the road towards becoming a minimal viable person again and be ready to go beyond the bare minimums to enjoying abundance once again. Until then, I shall continue to work on the three pillars of Mental Health, Physical Health, and Social Health.
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