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.aspx
• https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-apathy

Helpful 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#definition
• https://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-1067313
• https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression#1-2
• https://www.healthline.com/health/depression#test
• https://mindandthegap.com/7-things-people-dont-understand-about-depression/
• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/depression-frustrations_n_5692649

Helpful 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-mind
• https://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 Video
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3VTcLAdy-s
• “Life is fun”
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAb_bCtKuXg

Outside 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 dies
  Try to hold it underwater but it always survives
  Then it comes up out of nowhere like an evil surprise
  Then 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.html
• https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/add-vs-adhd
• https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/facts-statistics-infographic#fast-facts
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/managing-adult-adhd-attention-deficit-disorder.htm
• https://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#3
• https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-ruminating#tips
• https://www.verywellmind.com/rumination-why-do-people-obsess-over-things-3144571
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_monologue

Helpful 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.