Said in Therapy

In this episode, we dive into the unique world of third culture kids- individuals who grew up in cultures different from their parents' or their passport country. We explore the joys and challenges of belonging everywhere and nowhere at once, the struggles with identity and home, and how these experiences shape relationships, careers, and self-perception. Through personal stories and expert insights, we unravel what it means to navigate life in the in-between.

Today I am in conversation with the break-up coach Nora. She is currently located in Dubai and conducts her sessions in English and Arabic, in person and online. Together we explore the topic of breakup and heartbreak. Heartbreak is a term used to describe the intense emotional pain someone feels after experiencing the end of a relationship. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, loss, grief, and despair. A variety of factors, including betrayal, rejection, and unrequited love, can cause heartbreak. The pain can be physical and emotional. Nora's contact details and handles: Instagram: @breakupcoachnora Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakupcoachnora Website: https://www.breakupcoachnora.com/

As every year here is the Birthday Special but this time with a twist, these are the questions that followers on Instagram have sent in. Happy New Year Everyone.

A toxic friendship is one in which you feel energetically exhausted when interacting with the person. Your friend may be an emotional vampire who seems to suck the life force out of you whenever you speak to them or spend time with them. If you want to find out how to identify a toxic friendship and learn how to deal with it, then this episode is for you.

While overthinking itself is not a mental illness, it is associated with conditions including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. Rumination can be common in people who have chronic pain and chronic illness as well, taking the form of negative thoughts about that pain and healing from it. Here I introduce simple tools that can help with getting hold on your overthinking behaviors.

Autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment. It is a lifelong condition that starts when a person is born and stays with them into old age. Every Autistic person is different from every other. This is why autism is described as a ‘spectrum'. I am in conversation with Dr. Charifa Zemouri with explains her individual experience with being on the spectrum and how she navigates her life. If you want to learn more about Dr. Zemouri, follow her on Twitter or visit her website for more information about her work. 

Remember that conflict is natural and happens in every ongoing relationship. Since conflict is unavoidable we must learn to manage it. Conflict is a sign of a need for change and an opportunity for growth, new understanding, and improved communication. Conflict can not be resolved unless it is addressed unless we address it within ourselves.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". To continue with the second part of the Imposter Syndrome series I am interviewing Adrian about his experience with the syndrome.

What is the imposter and is the imposter syndrome an actual diagnosis? What does it do? And how to combat it? And sharing own experience. Why do we always think we are an imposter? Answering these questions and more. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

Everyone needs healthy boundaries in their lives if they want to have healthy relationships. Setting boundaries is about more than just saying no - and when you learn how to set boundaries in a way that people will listen to and respect you will not only feel free, but you will also start breaking the cycle of people-pleasing and codependence. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

As an extension to my regular social media Q&As, I have dedicated an episode about my trauma journey and how I worked through it and grew from it as a result. Please keep in mind that these Q&As will never replace actual therapy, and not every journey is the same. Instead, use them as an inspiration, a means to learn more, and eventually, encouragement to start your therapy journey. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

The Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life. It includes self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships. I am in conversation with my former patient Nora who describes her healing process, her road with therapy, and living with the disorder. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

The most difficult type of insecure attachment is the disorganized attachment style. It is often seen in people who have been physically, verbally, or sexually abused in their childhood. A disorganized / fearful-avoidant attachment style develops when the child's caregivers – the only source of safety – become a source of fear. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

What is avoidant attachment? Avoidant attachment is an attachment style that develops during early childhood. It tends to occur in children who do not experience sensitive responses to their needs or distress. Children with an avoidant attachment style may become very independent, both physically and emotionally. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

In honor of my birthday I am reuploading the popular birthday Q&A of last year. I hope it answers a few questions you still had in mind about me. Enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

Attachment, or the attachment bond, is the emotional connection you formed as an infant with your primary caregiver, if the parents or caregivers are inconsistent in their parenting they could be causing an anxious attachment. Find out what an anxious attachment style can look like and if reflect with me if these are traits that you recognize in yourself. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

Our style of attachment affects everything from our friendships to our partner selection to how well our relationships progress to, sadly, how they end. That is why recognizing our attachment pattern can help us understand our strengths and vulnerabilities in our relationships and friendships. An attachment pattern is established in early childhood attachments and continues to function as a working model for relationships in adulthood. Discover with me what types of attachment styles exist and possibly what your own attachment style is. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

You may be sabotaging yourself, your happiness, your success, and your relationships without even knowing it. We all have subconscious habits, beliefs, and patterns that we're doing that are keeping us stuck, holding us back, and leaving us feeling frustrated and confused. Here I teach you 3 very common self-sabotage habits you may be doing and what to do about them so you can stop sabotaging yourself. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/said-in-therapy/message

An episode on how to deal with family conflicts. A question asked many times in therapy and/or when generally reached out for with questions.

Breaking up with someone is hard and can cause real grief and trauma. After getting asked quite often what to do and how to handle break-up this episode answers and gives tools to manage break-ups!

At bad news and events are unfolding we all need a few tools to deal with them the right way.

Anja Saleh, trained as a political and social scientist, is an educator, designer, and poet. In her writing, she re-explores spirituality, trauma, love, and home. Together, we discuss the power of journaling and how it became a lifeline for her that helps her explore life through a multifaceted lens. She shares her insight & tips on how to approach journaling & writing as a means to calm yourself and improve the way you see the world. Anja is the author of: Soon, The Future Of Memory For more information about her work visit her website: anjasaleh.com

Another episode in the segment: Therapist to Therapist. I am in conversation with Chereen, an Arab American mental health and community counselor based in Qatar. She is a certified change coach who also focuses on grief, resilience, and moving forward. She has recently published her first book, Sensitive: Reflections for the Empathetic Soul. She runs the platform Dear Chereen, an advice column that also offers inspiration and support through words. Chereen's Website: dearchereen.com

Is there a connection between depression and binge eating?

Dr. Saliha Afridi shares her journey in the mental health field and how she built the Lighthouse Arabia how she and her team are leading the way for mental health & wellness in the Middle East. A specialist team of psychologists & psychiatrists with the community at our core.

Discussing my life updates and how I deal with negative self-talk and how to deal with missing someone who is no longer part of your life.

With the start of the eating disorder series we discuss a healthy lifestyle and better food choices with Dana Habayeb. She explains that healthy eating is all about balance and understanding what our bodies need.

After my last episode, many asked me to record an episode about me. So I asked my close friend Salma to interview me which questions she always wanted to ask me. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Happy New Year! And yes, new year's day is my actual birthday.

The last days of the year are traditionally the days we reflect on and review the last months before we step into the new year. It is December the posts in which many will celebrate their milestones will be published. And that's okay! If you have achieved a lot, be proud of yourself, especially in 2020. However, many of us have experienced the year differently and it felt like a standstill. And it is indeed true, we hardly got anywhere physically. That affects the psyche and soul. Let's accept this year as a year of strength and growth, because yes we have all outdone ourselves when it comes to this. Our patience has been tested. Many have lost loved ones and left behind is the void where love once lived. Many families have been separated because of COVID and haven't seen each other in months. The way we work has changed and the way we study and learn is taking on new forms. All of this has strained and redefined our resilience. 2020 was the year of change, both externally and internally. Even if you believe that you haven't achieved anything this year, you made it to and through December. Trust me. This is a lot. Celebrate that. If you still find yourself struggling and you can't find a shoulder to lean on, please visit this website. It will direct you to resources in your country. Happy new year.

A positive attitude helps you cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worries and negative thinking. If you adopt it as a way of life, it would bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more successful. Join me and Muna Harib in this episode talking about she overcame hardship in her life and how she copes with difficult situations. Muna Harib is the founder of breathing numbers. Breathing Numbers is a project first initiated by Muna, in order to document the lives of Syrian refugees in the Al Zaatari Camp in Jordan. What started as a story-telling project has turned into a full-scale humanitarian aid project in a mere six months.

Journaling is a written record of our thoughts & feelings. There are really not any rules although most journaling is a daily exercise. Journaling is a way to track everyday life. Figuring out what makes us tick and happy or upset. Creating a meaningful connection with ourselves is as important as creating meaningful connections with family or friends. In this episode, we are answering a question of a listener who wants some insight on how to use journaling best.

Rukmini Poddar is an artist, designer, and illustrator living in the United States. Her creative passion lies at the intersection of emotional wellness and creative storytelling. Today's episode is about her journey discovering ways to improve her well-being using her art as a tool to reflect and learn. Check out her Instagram handle here. Or by looking for @rockinruksi. 

A person who is excessively high in narcissism is said to have a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is a diagnosable mental illness. A person with narcissistic traits may be mildly self-centered at times, but NPD, on the other hand, is a deeply ingrained, pervasive pattern. In this episode, I will attempt to explain the difference as the term narcissism is constantly (over-)used to describe people's behavior.

Büsra shares her experience with labor and postpartum that didn't come without complications, she also explains her transition and adjustment to the new life after things settled. This episode is slightly medical, so it is not important to understand all the details but to get a feeling about one of many unique stories about motherhood.

Narcissistic personality disorder involves a pattern of self-centered, arrogant thinking and behavior, a lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for admiration. Others often describe people with NPD as manipulative, selfish, patronizing, and demanding. This way of thinking and behaving surfaces in every area of the narcissist's life: from work and friendships to family and love relationships. My patient, who wants to stay anonymous for safety reasons shares her experience with being in an abusive relationship with a narcissistic person. If you need resources to help you get out of an abusive relationship, click here for a few resources.

All Palestinians experience trauma whether they are exiled in refugees camps outside of colonized Palestine or live in other countries. They all carry this package of pain and trauma. On Tuesday 23rd June 2020 the 27-year-old Ahmed Erekat was left to die, bleeding on the ground at an Israeli military checkpoint on his sister's wedding day. Today I have a conversation with his cousin Noaf.

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life. It includes self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships. I am in conversation with my former patient Nora who describes her healing process, her road with therapy and living with the disorder.

My former client Lina and I discuss her experience with racism at the workplace. Racism takes many forms and can happen in many places. It includes prejudice, discrimination or hatred directed at someone because of their colour, ethnicity or national origin. People often associate racism with acts of abuse or harassment. However, it doesn't need to involve violent or intimidating behaviour. Take racial name-calling and jokes. Or consider situations when people may be excluded from groups or activities because of where they come from.

Stay at home. Stay safe. Be responsible not only for yourself but for everyone.

A daily routine can be a very powerful tool to find comfort in uncertain times. Today we discuss what we can do to establish a daily routine but also how adjusting to new little habits can give your life structure that also helps after the pandemic.

We all need to keep a clear head at times of crisis - but that's not easy. So when strong emotions of fear and anxiety start to cloud your judgment, turn to an effective and reassuring voice of reason. Today we discuss a strategy that can help you with navigating through your emotions.

The health of our relationships is at risk thanks to the many stresses and strains of the pandemic lockdown. Couples might be facing huge emotional and financial challenges at the same time as being tightly confined to their homes. In this episode, I am discussing tips and strategies on how to overcome conflict and potentially grow out of this situation stronger than before. If you have a question you want to have answered in a future coronavirus bonus episode, tweet at @saidintherapy or contact @saidintherapy on instagram or facebook.

Many of us are being advised to stay at home and avoid social contact to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Human interaction is a vital component of happiness, so I try to explain how we can maintain meaningful links to our loved ones, friends and colleagues even if we can't be in the same room with them. If you have a question you want to have answered in a future coronavirus bonus episode, tweet at @saidintherapy or contact @saidintherapy on instagram or facebook.

Fatma (@diplomess_) and I are having a conversation about her burnout diagnosis and how she dealt with it throughout the years. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.

As the corona virus is spreading many are insecure and anxious about everything that is going on. In this episode I sat down with my friend and pediatrician Nora Matar who gives a little bit of insight of what is happening and why the WHO declared a pandemic, but more importantly, how to deal with the anxiety created by current events. 

Discussing the consequences of toxic positivity in today's society and why it's so dangerous to simplify advice. Nancy's story is shared about how toxic positivity impacted her life and led to fatal moments that changed everything.

Explaining the Imposter Syndrome further and an interview with Adrian explaining his experience with therapy fighting imposter syndrome.  Follow me on social media.  Twitter: @SaidinTherapy Instagram: @SaidinTherapy Facebook: Said in Therapy

What is the imposter? What does it do? And how to combat it? And sharing own experience.

Explaining the definition of Major Depressive Disorder in the DSM 5 and Q&A.

Patient Bella describes her therapy journey