Hi Folks!
Here’s the short version of today’s Ask David questions.
- Do depression and anxiety result from medical illnesses, like thyroid problems?
- Do we REALLY create our own interpersonal reality? What if you’re being raped? Are you saying that’s your fault? How can that be?
- I struggle with anxiety. Why is it a mistake to try to “calm down?”
- How do you deal with entitlement? I think my patients should do what I tell them to do! After all, I’m a highly trained professional!
- How do you deal with racism, sexism, and other societal barriers? What if the injustice is real and it isn’t “all in your head?”
And here are the longer versions. Fabrice and I hope you enjoy these thoughtful questions submitted by listeners like you!
1. Barbara asks: 1) How are hypothyroidism, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder related, and (2) how are heart disease, depression, and anxiety related?
2. Mark asks: I’m one of your most avid listeners to your podcasts. I’ve listened to most of Feeling Good Podcasts as well as the recordings of your Facebook live broadcasts with Jill. I absolutely love your content and extremely grateful for your insights and the material you put out for free. I’ve heard you say numerous times how in interpersonal relationship problems we create the poor behavior we see in the other.
At what point though, is a threshold crossed and you acknowledge the other in the relationship is creating problems? For example, if your client is being raped by their partner and is being threatened with violence if they dare leave, you wouldn’t say to your client you’re creating that kind of treatment from your partner.
Obviously the above is a very extreme example, but what if its scaled back in terms of severity of abuse, stopping short of physical attacks and threats? Where does a line in the sand get drawn where you acknowledge the client is not creating the problems themselves? I’d deeply appreciate your reply!
3. Angela asks: I was intrigued by your comment in your podcast #88 on Role-Playing Techniques that “trying to calm down is a big mistake. . . then your emotions become your enemies,” but then you said, “that’s a good topic for another podcast.” I hope you do a podcast on that topic!!! I’m eagerly waiting to hear more about that!
4. Julio asks: I’d like to share my experience. I am a therapist and I suffered from, and am still working on, feeling inadequate. I frequently questioned “am I good enough to be a therapist?” “How can I help others if I have issues of my own?”
After reading Feeling Good I realized I frequently jump to conclusions, engage in mind reading, and labeling whenever there is some uncertainty with my clients. At times I might even have blamed them when things didn’t go the way I thought they should go.
I believe I do that to protect my ego, and I might have developed some cognitive distortions related to entitlement such as
- “I’m a therapist, people are supposed to do what I say”
- “I worked too hard and too long and potential employers better give me what I deserve”
- “Because I practice evidence-based therapy, I’m better than 99% of all therapists.”
These entitled thoughts led me to become irate whenever someone didn’t act according to my expectations. I would vacillate between feeling angry and feeling depressed.
I guess when I initially emailed Fabrice I was confused as to how my entitlement develops, but now I’m realizing that it comes from the same distortions that can cause depression. I didn’t know that distortions could produce depression and entitlement.
I’m curious what you and Fabrice think about this. I thoroughly what you and Fabrice think about this. I thoroughly enjoy your podcast and often find myself re-listening to earlier episodes.
5. Holly asks: “ Burns: I have found tremendous value in your books and podcast. I have noticed that you discuss some emails/letters/etc. on your podcast and I have one I’d like to hear you discuss. What are your thoughts on dealing with racism, sexism, and other societal barriers?
For example, it is not uncommon for people with dominant identities (white, male, physically able) to tell women, people of color, or those with physical challenges that their issues are all in their minds and that if they thought differently, then they would have different outcomes.
I am an African-American woman and I don’t believe this (the statistics on access to education, employment, and justice all suggest otherwise). What are you saying (if anything) in your writing, practice about thoughts related to injustice?
Best, Holly
So there you have it! Great questions, and keep them coming!
By the way, one of our podcast fans has written an outstanding and thoughtful article asking if there is a causal link between Donald Trump’s Twitter tweets and anti-Muslim hate crimes for the prestigious journal, Scientific American. Here’s the link.
Thanks, David and Fabrice
Dr. Fabrice Nye currently practices in Redwood City, California and treats individuals throughout the world (but not across U.S. state lines) via teletherapy. You can reach him at fabrice@life.net. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. If you like our jingle music and would like to support the composer Brett Van Donsel, you may download it here.
* * *
THREE COOL UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FOR YOU
TEAM-CBT Methods for Anxiety Disorders–
Step-by-Step Training for Therapists
by David D. Burns, MD and Jill Levitt, PhD
Dr. Jill Levitt and I are offering what I think will be an outstanding workshop on the treatment of anxiety disorders on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Our Sunday workshops are tremendously fun, so consider attending if you are interested.
The last Sunday workshop in February sold out quickly so register soon if you are interested. You can join in Palo Alto in person or online from anywhere in the world.
THERE WILL BE MANY EXPERT TRAINERS TO GUIDE THE ONLINE PARTICIPANTS DURING THE SMALL GROUP EXERCISES
WHEN: May 19, 2019, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PST
(11:30 am-7:30 pm EST)
WHERE: Join us live online or in person at the Creekside Inn, Palo Alto, CA.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? $135,
WILL I GET CE CREDITS? YES! 7 CE hours available
WILL I GET CREDIT IN THE TEAM LICENSURE PROGRAM? YES!
Completion of this workshop also counts towards TEAM-CBT Level 1, 2 or 3 Certification
WHO CAN ATTEND? Therapists of all levels are welcome
CAN I REGISTER IF I’M NOT A THERAPIST? Although the workshop is geared for therapists, it will be taught in a clear and basic way that anyone can benefit from.
WILL I HAVE FUN? Yes!
WILL I HAVE GET TO HANG OUT WITH SOME COOL COLLEAGUES? Yes!
WILL I GET AN AWESOME FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH? Yes!
You will love this lively, amusing, and immensely useful day of training with Drs. Burns, Levitt and the Feeling Good Institute Staff. The trainers will use a combination of didactic teaching, live demonstrations, video, and breakout group practice to enhance skill-building.
REGISTER / LEARN MORE
Act fast if you want to attend!
* * *
And there will be two awesome summer intensives for you this year!
July 15 – 18, 2019
Calgary four-day intensive
Sponsored by Jack Hirose & Assoc.
July 29 – August 1, 2019
South San Francisco four-day intensive
Sponsored by Praxis
Podcast 132 released today (March 18, 2019) is actually Podcast 131 again. Please re-post the correct Podcast 132.
Yes, have asked Fabrice to fix it, sorry?! david
Thank you.
You’re welcome! d
Hi Dr. Burns,
Another wonderful installment of Ask David. I enjoyed it very much!
You mentioned treating abuse victims and your trauma workshop. Can you please describe your approach to treating patients with trauma from abuse?
Thanks a bunch!
Thanks, will make this an Ask David or a full podcast. David
That’s wonderful! I can’t wait. Thank you 🙂
Thanks, I can’t recall the podcast details, recorded weeks ago, but what is it you can’t wait for? 🙂 david
I’m excited to hear how you treat abuse victims and people suffering from trauma because I am dealing with those same issues myself. That’s what I can’t wait for. Because I know that you really know what you’re talking about. All the best, Christian
Thanks, Christian, got it! yes, we may actually record one or two podcasts on trauma in a few days, but it will take a month or so before they are released. Appreciate your question, as many will likely benefit! david
Also, Christian, have you listened to this podcast. #116a?https://feelinggood.com/2016/12/28/015a-special-interview-can-depression-and-anxiety-be-treated-in-a-two-hour-therapy-session-with-lisa-kelley/
If you go to the list of podcasts on my website, you can find it easily: Podcast # 116a. let me know if you have trouble locating it. david
Hi Dr Burns,
Yes I found it and will listen to it right away. I wish you were still seeing patients but this is the next best thing 🙂
Thanks so much!
let me know what you think. May still do another podcast on trauma, using another case. d
I’m listening to it right now and really great so far! I’d love another podcast. Please let me know if you need a volunteer patient. Thanks
Where do you live? david
and also, are you a therapist or general citizen? david
David, A bit of a strange question related to sports psychology and performance anxiety. How would you treat a field goal kicker afraid of missing the winning field goal, or a basketball player afraid of choking under pressure and missing the winning shot? Most sports psychologists emphasize positive visualization. Would feared fantasy work in the sports world? Just curious. There was a Red Sox player who hit the winning homerun in an important playoff game, who paradoxically said he felt no pressure going up against the opposing all star pitcher because statistically he was probably going to make an out and end the game. That relaxed him, and he performed great under pressure.
TEAM offers a superior way of helping athletes and others with performance anxiety. Pushing formulaic “solutions” like positive visualization is of very limited value, in any branch of working with humans who are anxious, etc. Will try to turn this into an Ask David question or possibly even a show. There are numerous fabulous tools I’ve developed that would be helpful, but I NEVER “throw techniques” like visualization or Feared Fantasy at people. I work with them systematically, using T E A M! Thanks, Rob! Another great questions! Hope you are doing well! 🙂
HI David, I think for example if someone hits me they are responsible for their behaviour and I am not responsible for triggering it. Everyone is responsible for their own behavour.
Thanks! I take it that you are not asking a question, ow wanting my comment, but simply expressing your thinking. All the best, david