Who Can Relate?

In this episode, we explore a lesser-known facet of the human mind called Imposter Syndrome. Have you ever had an unnatural feeling that you're a fraud and don't deserve any of your success? You might have experienced it! In this episode, we explain Imposter Syndrome, how it feels, and its effects. We also explore the various types of people with this syndrome, including the perfectionist, the superhero, the expert, and the soloist. Finally, we list some ways to overcome it. Here are some helpful links that we used in our research: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469 Helpful Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo

I think the better question is who can't relate? We are built with awkwardness as an internal warning system to tell us when something isn't right, but that system can make us feel awkward whenever it wants. In this episode, we talk about why we experience awkwardness, experiences that cause it, and what we can do about it. Here are some helpful links that we used in our research: https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2015/11/23/the-science-of-awkwardness https://digest.bps.org.uk/2012/11/14/the-new-psychology-of-awkward-moments/ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/7-things-you-havent-tried-deal-with-awkward-situations.html Outside Quotes: "The awkwardness is likely fueled in part by your perception of how it's supposed to go and what's actually happening, rather than [an actual] problem.” - Bethany Teachman, a professor in the University of Virginia's Department of Psychology

Do you ever just completely lose motivation and dissociate from reality? This episode is all about apathy, specifically in social situations. While it is a symptom of depression, it can exist by itself.In this episode, we describe how it feels to be apathetic, the potential causes of this state of mind, and how to work with it. Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Apathy-and-Why-Does-it-Occur.aspxhttps://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-apathyHelpful Definitions:Apathy - lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Maybe you've already seen our episode on social anxiety? Maybe you related to that one a lot, or maybe you didn't. How about in romantic relationships? We all have those awkward stories about first dates or stupid things that we did because we were so nervous to be around that person that made our hearts pound. How about when relationship anxiety actually inhibits the relationship and causes damage that could otherwise be helped? We talked a lot about our own experiences this episode and really being open and vulnerable with our partners.  Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/relationship-anxiety#definitionhttps://www.healthline.com/health/relationship-anxiety#takeaway Helpful Definitions:Self-silencing:  the restriction of self-expression within intimate relationships. Separation anxiety: anxiety provoked by separation or the threat of separation. 

This is definitely the most serious topic we've tackled so far: Depression. More people experience depression than we know, and it's super important that you know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! In this episode, we talk about the seven different types of depression, along with their causes and symptoms. Our favorite part of this one was talking about things that people don't know/understand about depression. Finishing off, we went into some treatment methods that go above and beyond prescription medicine.  Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://www.verywellmind.com/common-types-of-depression-1067313https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression#1-2https://www.healthline.com/health/depression#testhttps://mindandthegap.com/7-things-people-dont-understand-about-depression/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/depression-frustrations_n_5692649Helpful Definitions:Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Generally referred to as clinical depression. A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): A mild but long-term form of depression.Bipolar Disorder: A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.Postpartum Depression (PPD): Depression that occurs after childbirth.“Baby blues”: Also called postpartum blues; feelings of sadness a woman may have in the first few days after having a baby. Postpartum psychosis: a severe, but treatable, form of mental illness that occurs after having a baby. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A severe, sometimes disabling extension of premenstrual syndrome.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): A group of symptoms that occur in women, typically between ovulation and a period.Seasonal Affective Disorder: A mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year.Atypical Depression: Depressive disorders with atypical features. 

This is for you! I don't care who you are; you have struggled with some sort of negative thought pattern.  Find out which ones! This week, we discovered that negative thoughts tend to follow several patterns. We talked about each of these patterns and how we can fight them. This episode is so close to us because it is something that we are actively dealing with RIGHT NOW. Be sure to check out all of the valuable sources below! Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://www.craiggroeschel.com/books/winning-the-war-in-your-mindhttps://www.verywellmind.com/negative-thinking-patterns-and-beliefs-2584084#:~:text=Unlike%20self%2Ddefeating%20beliefs%2C%20negative,reinforce%20your%20self%2Ddefeating%20beliefs.https://thebestbrainpossible.com/negative-thinking-depression-mind/Video Links:James's Discord Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3VTcLAdy-s“Life is fun”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAb_bCtKuXgOutside Quotes:“I need some help because I'm still my worst enemy. No matter where I am, I'll still get the best of me. I'm my own enemy.” - Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch“How easily and insensibly we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten path for ourselves.” - Henry David Thoreau (Walden)“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Attributed to Edmund Burke, included by John F Kennedy in a speech in 1961.“That we try to suffocate, you know, hopin' it diesTry to hold it underwater but it always survivesThen it comes up out of nowhere like an evil surpriseThen it hovers over you to tell you millions of lies” -NF

It's time to level up your superpowers! In this episode, we dissect ADHD. What exactly is it? Why is it different from ADD? What exactly does it look like? We answer all of these questions, as well as sharing peculiar symptoms that you never knew were related to ADHD. Finally, we offer solutions for dealing with ADHD -- without medicine! This doesn't have to stay a disorder. It can be your superpower.  Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.htmlhttps://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/add-vs-adhdhttps://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/facts-statistics-infographic#fast-factshttps://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/managing-adult-adhd-attention-deficit-disorder.htmhttps://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adult-adhd#hyperfocus Helpful Definitions:ADHD -- A chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.ADD -- is a neurological disorder that causes a range of behavior problems such as difficulty attending to instruction, focusing on schoolwork, keeping up with assignments, following instructions, completing tasks and social interaction.Inattentive Type -- Less disruptive type of ADHD; have trouble paying attention to details, are easily distracted, often have trouble organizing or finishing tasks and often forget routine chores.Hyperactive/Impulsive Type -- Disruptive form of ADHD; feel the need for constant movement; often act on impulse of the moment, with blurting out speech and moving in inappropriate ways. Combined Type -- Type of ADHD with characteristics of both inattentive and hyperactive type. Hyperfocus -- the experience of deep and intense concentration, disconnecting from everything else. Sensory Stimuli -- Physical sensations picked up by sensory receptors over the body. 

Let's talk about....conversations! Past, present, and future. This week, we're delving into how we play conversation game. First, we talk about obsessing over past conversations and the mental blooper reel. Then, we go into ways that we navigate conversations in the moment. Finishing off was the idea of imaginary conversations for planning future socialization. Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://psychcentral.com/blog/sneaky-rumination-replaying-conversations-in-my-head#3https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-ruminating#tipshttps://www.verywellmind.com/rumination-why-do-people-obsess-over-things-3144571https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_monologueHelpful Definitions:Rumination -- obsessive thinking about an idea, situation, or choice especially when it interferes with normal mental functioning.Brooding -- negative rumination, causing a bad mood and esteem issues. Analytical mind -- Thinking using the part of the brain associated with complex decision-making, problem solving, critical thinking, and self-monitoring.Internal Monologue -- An internal monologue, also called self-talk, inner speech, inner discourse or internal discourse, is a person's inner voice which provides a running verbal monologue of thoughts while they are conscious.Co-rumination: Rehashing situations with friends/loved ones. 

Last week, we talked about social anxiety as a whole. This week, we're focusing specifically on performance anxiety, also known as stage fright. We delve into the causes, personal testimonies of facing and overcoming this anxiety, and discuss ways to overcome it as well as why it's important to face it rather than avoiding performances.Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder/treatment/conquering-stage-frighthttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/stage-frighthttps://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/stage-fright-performance-anxietyHelpful Definitions:Stage Fright - nervousness before or during an appearance before an audience.Self-fulfilling prophecy - a prediction that causes itself to be true due to the behavior (including the act of predicting it) of the believer.How To Get Connected!Interact with us on Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/whocanrelatepodcast1/) or at our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WCRPodcast)!

Bonus first week! We're talking about social anxiety. What does it mean if I don't know how to human around other humans?For this episode, we focus on specifically social anxiety, leaving out the subsection of stage fright/performance anxiety. We discuss what exactly it means to have social anxiety and delve into personal struggles with it. Next, we unravel the symptoms and causes of social anxiety, both physical and mental. Finally, we discuss ways to overcome social anxiety--slowly, but surely. Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness/index.shtmlhttps://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-social-anxiety-disorderhttps://www.verywellmind.com/social-anxiety-disorder-tips-3024209Helpful Definitions:Social Anxiety - a chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety.Performance Anxiety - extreme nervousness experienced before or during participation in an activity taking place in front of an audience.High-Functioning Social Anxiety - sufferers are able to accomplish tasks and appear to function well in social situations, but internally they are feeling all the same symptoms of anxiety disorder.Outside Quotes:"Once you start to make changes, no matter how small, suddenly everything seems possible.” - Oprah Winfrey“It can feel, at times, if you let your anxiety get the better of you like everybody's waiting for you to really mess up — and then you'll be done.” - Taylor SwiftHow To Get Connected!Interact with us on Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/whocanrelatepodcast1/) or at our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WCRPodcast)!

This week we're tackling the issue of validationAm I an approval addict, what does that mean, and how can I work with it?First, we discuss what it means to be an approval addict and the signs of an addiction to approval. Then, we dive into the reality of the addiction and its effects on our mentality and the people around us. Finally, we offer some steps to escape the addiction, along with personal stories of improvement. Here are some helpful links that we used in our research:https://chintanzalani.com/psychology-behind-seeking-validation-need/https://psychcentral.com/blog/are-you-an-approval-addict#1 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-and-recovery/201907/stop-seeking-validation-othersHelpful Definitions:Approval Addict - a person whose self-esteem is dependent on the validation of others to the point of unhealthy obsession. Validation - recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.Controller-Enabler Relationship - a relationship in which there is abuse through dependency of one party leading to full control of another. Anorexia - refraining from eating with the desire to achieve an unrealistically skinny body imageMaslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs - a theory that orders the needs of humans from most to least important, within five categories: Physiological, Safety, Love and Belonging, Esteem, Self-ActualizationSelf-Actualization - Desire to become the most one can be. Outside Quotes:“Surround yourself with people who challenge what you think, not people that nod their head and act like they agree.” -NF How To Get Connected!Interact with us on Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/whocanrelatepodcast1/) or at our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WCRPodcast)!

Welcome to Who Can Relate! The podcast where we debunk the lie that we are alone in what we feel. We invite you to join us in this discovery of connection and self-awareness. Watch for our release of the first two episodes on March 17, with more episodes released each Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe so you won't miss any shows!Follow us at @WCRPodcast on Facebook or whocanrelatepodcast1 on Instagram!