Shame , Embarrassment, Dissociation, Trauma & Procrastination - AKA 158
TLDRIn this insightful episode of 'Ask Katie Anything', host Katie Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist, addresses a range of complex psychological issues. She delves into the challenges of discussing mental health, particularly eating disorders and depression, with an emphasis on overcoming the associated shame and embarrassment. Katie explores the therapeutic process, highlighting the importance of not rushing into expressing emotions and instead understanding the barriers that may exist due to past experiences. She also touches on the intricacies of dissociation, providing both professional and personal insights into its manifestations and how it can be addressed in a therapeutic setting. Furthermore, the discussion encompasses the impact of trauma on daily functioning, including procrastination and its potential roots in PTSD, and the importance of self-exploration to understand and overcome these challenges. Throughout the episode, Katie emphasizes the significance of seeking support, either through professional help or by tapping into available resources like school counselors, and encourages open communication with parents or guardians. The episode concludes with Katie's empathetic advice on navigating the complexities of therapy and mental health, offering hope and practical steps for those struggling with their emotional well-being.
Takeaways
- 🌟 It's common to feel shame and embarrassment when discussing mental health issues, but therapy is a safe space to explore these feelings without judgment.
- 🔑 Therapists are trained to listen and understand, not to judge or blame, which is crucial when discussing sensitive topics like dissociation and trauma.
- 👀 Signs of dissociation can include zoning out, lack of eye contact, and a general disconnection from the environment, but it varies from person to person.
- 📚 If you're a minor, you may be able to access school counseling or therapy without parental involvement under certain circumstances, depending on your state's laws.
- 💌 When approaching a parent or guardian about seeking therapy, being honest, concise, and clear about your needs can be an effective strategy.
- 🤔 Procrastination can sometimes be linked to feelings of shame or self-sabotage stemming from trauma, although it's not a direct correlation.
- 🧐 To address procrastination, it's important to explore the underlying reasons for it, which may include negative self-beliefs or avoidance behaviors related to past trauma.
- 📉 Break tasks into smaller, manageable goals and create a schedule to help manage procrastination and increase feelings of accomplishment.
- 😔 Individuals with a history of trauma may struggle to express emotions or be open in therapy due to past experiences where showing vulnerability may have led to harm.
- 🛡 Defense mechanisms like emotional numbness or avoidance were developed as a protective response to past traumas and need to be understood before they can be addressed.
- ✅ Finding ways to feel safe and build trust in therapy is crucial for individuals with a history of trauma, and it's a process that takes time and patience.
Q & A
What are the feelings that come with struggling with an eating disorder and potential depression?
-The feelings can include constant preoccupation with food, body comparison, loneliness, isolation, and exhaustion. It can be difficult to accomplish daily tasks due to the emotional and physical toll.
Why might someone feel shame and embarrassment when discussing their mental health struggles?
-This can stem from a lack of healthy emotional expression in their family or upbringing, where showing emotions was not tolerated or was seen as a sign of weakness.
How can a minor seek therapy without parental consent?
-In some states, like California, minors as young as 13 can initiate or participate in therapy without parental consent under certain conditions, such as if they are mature enough to understand and participate in the therapeutic process.
What are some signs that a client might be dissociating during a therapy session?
-Signs can include zoning out, lack of eye contact, slouching, freezing, and an overall detached demeanor. The client may seem disconnected from the environment and the conversation.
How can coping skills help with dissociation?
-Coping skills like breathing exercises, tapping, counting colors, or an internal body check-in can help ground the individual and bring them back to the present moment.
What is the relationship between procrastination and trauma?
-While procrastination is not a direct result of trauma, it can be linked through feelings of shame, low self-worth, or avoidance behaviors that are common in individuals with PTSD.
How can someone address the fear of not being believed in therapy?
-The individual should discuss their past negative experiences and work through the trauma of being disbelieved. Building trust with the current therapist and differentiating between past and present experiences can be helpful.
Why is it important to share the experience of psychiatric hospitalizations in therapy?
-These experiences can be traumatic and have a lasting impact on mental health. Sharing them can help in processing the trauma and understanding its effects on current mental state and behaviors.
How can someone with complex PTSD and other mental health conditions approach dating?
-It's important to be honest but not to disclose everything on the first date. Focus on building a connection based on shared interests and getting to know the person beyond their mental health conditions.
What is the difference between obsessions in OCD and worries in other anxiety disorders?
-Obsessions are specific, rigid thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors, while worries in other anxiety disorders are uncontrollable thoughts that can vary and do not necessarily lead to compulsions.
Can someone develop complex PTSD from traumas that are not rooted in childhood?
-Yes, complex PTSD can result from repeated traumas at any stage of life, not just during childhood. It is characterized by multiple traumatic events that overwhelm the individual's coping mechanisms.
Outlines
😀 Introduction and Addressing Shame in Seeking Help
Katie Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist, welcomes viewers to her show 'Ask Katie Anything.' She addresses a question about overcoming shame and embarrassment associated with mental health issues, specifically eating disorder behaviors and potential depression. Katie emphasizes the importance of not needing to overcome these feelings immediately and suggests that therapy can help navigate these emotions. She also provides information about accessing therapy as a minor and the possibility of school counseling as a resource.
👀 Dissociation and Its Visual Presentation
The second paragraph focuses on the experience and appearance of dissociation. Katie explains that dissociation can manifest in various ways, including zoning out, lack of eye contact, and an out-of-focus perception. She advises that therapists should be non-judgmental and supportive, and she encourages viewers to communicate with their therapists about their experiences and preferences during dissociative episodes.
🕶️ Coping Skills for Dissociation and Personal Preferences
In the third paragraph, Katie discusses coping skills for dissociation that are less noticeable, such as tapping, counting colors, or doing the alphabet game. She emphasizes the importance of personal preference in choosing coping mechanisms and advises viewers to communicate their needs to their therapists. Katie also addresses the question of how therapists should approach clients who are dissociating, suggesting that it varies from person to person.
🤔 The Link Between Trauma and Procrastination
Katie explores the relationship between trauma and procrastination in the fourth paragraph. While she doesn't see a direct link, she acknowledges that avoidance, a symptom of PTSD, could contribute to procrastination. She also discusses the role of shame and low self-worth in delaying tasks. Katie recommends self-exploration and therapy to understand the root causes of procrastination and suggests strategies like breaking tasks into smaller, manageable goals.
😔 Fear of Not Being Believed in Therapy
The fifth paragraph deals with the fear of not being believed in therapy, especially for individuals with a history of trauma. Katie advises processing past negative experiences with therapists and building trust with a new therapist. She encourages journaling as a way to prepare for therapy discussions and emphasizes the importance of addressing the fear and its impact on the therapeutic relationship.
😢 Difficulty Expressing Emotions in Therapy
In the sixth paragraph, Katie addresses the challenge of expressing emotions in therapy, particularly for someone with a history of childhood abuse. She suggests that this reluctance may stem from past experiences where expressing emotions was not safe. Katie recommends discussing this barrier with the therapist and working through it gradually, emphasizing the need for patience and self-compassion.
🤯 Trauma from Psychiatric Hospitalizations
The seventh paragraph discusses the trauma that can result from psychiatric hospitalizations. Katie validates the experiences of individuals who have been hospitalized, particularly those involving physical restraint, isolation, and other distressing procedures. She encourages individuals to share these experiences with their therapists, as they can be significant traumas that require processing.
💔 Struggles with Relationships and Mental Health
Katie tackles the issue of dating and relationships in the context of mental health struggles in the eighth paragraph. She advises being cautious about disclosing one's mental health issues early in a relationship. Katie emphasizes the importance of letting others get to know the person beyond their mental health challenges and suggests focusing on shared interests and positive attributes when dating.
🤔 OCD Symptoms and Their Distinction from Other Anxiety Disorders
In the ninth paragraph, Katie differentiates between symptoms found in OCD and other anxiety disorders. She clarifies that obsessions in OCD are specific and lead to compulsions, whereas worries in generalized anxiety disorders are uncontrollable and do not have a specific focus. Katie also touches on the concept of 'Pure O' (Purity of Obsessional thoughts) in OCD and how it is still a form of the disorder.
🌟 Complex PTSD and Its Origins
The final paragraph explores the concept of complex PTSD, which can arise from multiple traumatic events not necessarily related to childhood. Katie provides reassurance that trauma at any stage of life can lead to complex PTSD and that it is treatable. She encourages individuals to seek therapy and support, regardless of when their traumas occurred.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Eating Disorder
💡Depression
💡Shame
💡Therapeutic Process
💡Dissociation
💡Coping Skills
💡Procrastination
💡Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
💡Childhood Abuse
💡School Counseling
💡Confidentiality
Highlights
Katie Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist, discusses the feelings of shame and embarrassment associated with mental health issues.
She emphasizes the importance of not rushing the process of opening up about one's feelings in therapy.
Katie explains that shame and embarrassment are common barriers to discussing emotional struggles, especially for those who haven't had healthy emotional expression modeled in their families.
The episode covers how to seek help for eating disorder behaviors and potential depression without involving parents, if necessary.
Katie provides information on the legal age for initiating therapy without parental consent in California and the conditions under which it applies.
She advises on how to approach school counselors and inquire about available resources, potentially without parental notification.
The episode addresses the signs a therapist might look for to identify if a client is dissociating during a session.
Katie discusses the concept of dissociation and provides examples of how it can manifest visually in a person.
The conversation includes various coping skills for dissociation that are less noticeable and can be done discreetly in public.
Katie emphasizes the importance of individual preferences when approaching someone who is dissociating and the need for personal communication with therapists about these preferences.
The episode explores the relationship between procrastination and trauma, suggesting that procrastination might be a form of self-sabotage linked to feelings of shame or low self-worth.
Katie offers advice on overcoming procrastination by understanding its root cause, which could be related to trauma, low self-esteem, or fear of failure.
The discussion highlights the need for curiosity and self-exploration to understand the reasons behind one's procrastination and emotional barriers.
Katie talks about the challenges of opening up to a therapist, especially for individuals with a history of abuse or neglect.
She provides strategies for gradually opening up in therapy by first addressing the fear and barriers associated with emotional transparency.
The episode addresses the fear of not being believed in therapy and the importance of processing past negative experiences with healthcare providers.
Katie stresses the significance of differentiating between past and present therapists and building trust through open communication.
The conversation includes a discussion on the potential trauma experienced during psychiatric hospitalizations and the lasting impact on mental health.
Katie encourages individuals to share their hospital experiences with their therapists to process any trauma and its effects.
Transcripts
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