190 - How to heal from trauma and break the cycle of shame

Summary

In this podcast episode, a psychiatrist discusses his clinical work and personal experiences with trauma. He talks about the impact of trauma, specifically the suicide of his brother, and how it can lead to shame and a lack of words to describe the experience. He emphasizes the importance of seeking help and not limiting oneself after trauma. The speaker then discusses his decision to pursue medicine and psychiatry as a way to help others and himself, and the challenges of teaching psychiatric diagnosis and communication skills in residency programs.

The speaker believes that elementary school education should include teachings on how to respond to the world around us, including the understanding that bullying comes from a sense of shame. The speaker is critical of the field of psychiatry's move towards brief appointments and a focus on giving medication rather than understanding the patient's experience. The speaker trained at both Stanford and Harvard, and believes that a balance between a neurobiological and psychological approach is necessary.

The speaker discusses how trauma is often the root cause of substance disorders and other mental health issues, but is often overlooked in treatment. Trauma can be acute, chronic, or vicarious, and impacts each individual differently based on genetic characteristics, early life experiences, emotional compass, and chronicity of trauma.

The speaker discusses the issue with the current mental health treatment system, which focuses on symptom inventory and labeling, rather than understanding the root cause of a patient's mental health issues. They suggest that mental health providers should be more aware of the benefits of referring patients to residential trauma facilities, which can provide more effective treatment by addressing the root cause of mental health issues.

The context discusses the challenges of diagnosing and treating trauma, particularly in the field of psychiatry. The speaker notes that medicine often focuses on establishing a diagnosis to ensure insurance coverage, rather than truly understanding and treating the trauma. Psychiatry lacks biomarkers and objective measures of illness, making diagnosis difficult. Additionally, the heterogeneity of individual experiences and antecedent history make it challenging to predict how someone will respond to trauma.

The context discusses the perception of pain and the importance of addressing childhood trauma in psychotherapy. The impediments to accepting trauma and doing the necessary work include shame and the societal stigma surrounding mental health. The key to successful psychotherapy lies in establishing rapport and creating a holding environment where the patient feels safe and supported.

The speaker discusses the impact of shame on individuals and society, and the importance of understanding and addressing it. They argue that knowledge and education about trauma can be the most impactful tool in helping individuals cope with emotional struggles. The speaker also discusses the three dimensions of health span: cognitive, physical, and emotional, and notes that emotional health is often the most difficult to address.

The context discusses the different types of death, including physical, emotional, short-term memory, long-term memory, and executive function. The focus is on identifying and treating emotional death, which is often rooted in trauma and shame. The speaker discusses the need for better tools to identify emotional death and the importance of addressing it in medical settings.

The speaker discusses the need to prioritize mental health education and resources in early education and for professionals such as teachers and doctors. The speaker also highlights the epidemic of drug overdose deaths in the United States, which they believe is driven by a sense of desperation and disenfranchisement in society. The speaker suggests that this can be achieved through grassroots efforts to change the way mental health is framed and understood, as well as through education and support for professionals and individuals.

The context emphasizes the need for society to take action to address the issue of abuse and trauma. The speaker expresses optimism about the potential of substances such as psilocybin and MDMA to help with trauma, and emphasizes the importance of deploying them safely and effectively. Overall, the context emphasizes the need for society to take action to address the issue of abuse and trauma.