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

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 

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