A fan points out that many of the examples in David’s book, When Panic Attacks, are high functioning individuals with lots of education and good jobs. She asks Dr. Burns if depression and anxiety are inevitable among people who are poorly educated and without many assets. Dr. Burns again addresses the ancient but persistent question of whether our suffering results from the actual problems in our lives, or rather by our distorted thoughts about them.
He describes the treatment program he created at his hospital in Philadelphia for individuals with little education and few resources, including gang members and homeless individuals. He also describes his work with a depressed, suicidal high school student with significant intellectual and physical impairments who was absolutely convinced she was a failure, and concludes with a story about a depressed woman recently diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer.
If, like so many people, you also believe that your own mood slumps are caused by the problems in your life, this heart-warming episode may be an eye-opener for you!
I love your work and have found it tremendously useful. You’re just inspiring.
I’m curious whether you think there is anything positive to say about happiness beyond getting rid of negative feelings?
Also, and excuse this for being philosophical, do you think there is anything important in the human psyche left out in CBT? (Religious meaning, existential meaning?) Or are these just problems that take care of themselves once you have gotten rid of your irrational thoughts? Do you think feelings like death anxiety are due to hidden emotions or distortions? (Like notions of a midlife crisis)
Paul, Thanks for the cool question! I will answer it on an upcoming Ask David episode!
David
Hi David & Fabrice
I am sooo thankful to you for these podcasts.
I live in a small town in India, practicing as a counseling psychologist and these podcasts are being extreamly helpful to me. I have just recently discovered them and find myself coming back to them every time I manage to find time, from my busy schedule throughout the day.
I am yet not even even half way through and felt so full of gratitude that i had to stop in between and thank you first for these wonderful discussions. Soon I will start asking you some questions that I have.
I have a feeling that I am going to surely find a way, to come to personally attend one of your TEAM workshops one day!
At this point just want to say a HUUUUGE THANKYOU!!
Thanks again and looking forward to more learnings from you.
Thank you, Dipti! If you are ever in California on a visit, we’d love to have you join the Tuesday group at Stanford or the Sunday hike! All the best, david
I surely will! Thanks a lot.