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Leading Psychologist: Is High Functioning Depression Harming Your Love Life? - Dr Judith Joseph

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Episode notes

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Judith Joseph, a leading psychiatrist and mental health expert, to explore high-functioning depression and anhedonia—two often-overlooked mental health conditions that can profoundly affect both personal well-being and relationships.

Dr. Judith shares her insights on how people may appear to have everything under control while silently struggling, and she provides practical advice for identifying these hidden signs and managing them effectively. With her clinical background and deep understanding of trauma and attachment issues, Dr. Judith offers listeners tools to foster self-awareness, resilience, and healthier connections.

Whether you’re dealing with these challenges yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation will equip you with valuable strategies for navigating the complexities of these struggles.

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0:00 Intro

0:46 Judith’s Early Life and Background

2:33 Pros and Cons of Being an Immigrant

5:04 Judith’s Strong Work Ethic

6:06 Why Judith Switched to a Career in Psychology

8:45 How Judith Found the Confidence to Change Careers

10:18 Why Judith Chose to Pursue Psychiatry

12:08 What Exactly Is Psychiatry?

13:34 The Role of a Lab in Psychiatry and Why It Matters

15:40 How Race Affects Access to Therapy

18:28 Can You Overdo Therapy?

20:45 Understanding and Defining Trauma

23:38 How the Pandemic Has Shaped Our View on Trauma

24:42 What Is Scarcity Trauma?

25:55 What Happens If You Don’t Address Trauma

27:27 The Key Differences Between Guilt and Shame

28:56 How to Support Someone Going Through Trauma

32:20 What Is Scarcity Envy and How Does It Affect Us?

35:15 High-Functioning Depression Explained

36:38 What Is Depression? Signs and Symptoms

38:06 Ad Break

40:27 Are People More Depressed Than Ever?

42:23 What Is "High-Functioning Depression"?

44:03 How to Check In on Friends and Family

46:51 What Is Anhedonia and Why It Matters

51:33 The Impact of Anhedonia on Mental Health

53:18 Should We Slow Down to Improve Mental Health?

54:55 The 5,4,3,2,1 Exercise for Anxiety Relief

58:20 Procrastination Caused by Worry: How to Manage It

59:10 Should You Stay in a Relationship Where Depression Is Present?

1:01:59 Are We All Somewhere on the Neurodivergent Spectrum?

1:03:48 How to Raise Awareness Without Misdiagnosing Yourself

1:06:07 Taking Control of Your Thoughts

1:08:05 The Cognitive Behavioral Triangle Explained

1:08:47 What Judith Would Tell Her Younger Self

1:09:21 Is Judith Truly Happy?

1:11:23 Judith’s Most Memorable Conversation