DeepSummary
The podcast episode features a conversation with Professor George Bonanno, an expert on trauma from Columbia University. The discussion centers around the cultural understanding and overuse of the term "trauma," with Bonanno arguing that it is often misapplied to everyday struggles or minor setbacks. He believes that resilience is the norm, with most people able to cope and overcome even potentially traumatic events.
Bonanno critiques the book "The Body Keeps the Score" and the notion of repressed or hidden trauma memories, stating there is no scientific evidence for such phenomena. He advocates for a more evidence-based approach to psychology and cautions against self-diagnosis or labeling common struggles as signs of psychopathology. The conversation also touches on topics like post-traumatic growth, grief, and the flexibility sequence for overcoming adversity.
The impact of stress and mental health on physical symptoms is discussed, with Bonanno acknowledging the link between chronic stress and physiological changes, but questioning the idea of hidden trauma causing physical ailments. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and replicable research in the field of psychology.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Resilience is the norm, with most people able to cope and overcome potentially traumatic events without long-term negative impacts.
- The term "trauma" is often overused and applied to everyday struggles or minor setbacks, diluting its original meaning.
- There is no scientific evidence for the concepts of repressed trauma memories or trauma memories being stored in the body, as presented in "The Body Keeps the Score."
- Chronic stress can lead to physiological changes and physical symptoms, but the idea of hidden trauma causing physical ailments is questionable.
- Critical thinking and an evidence-based approach are essential in the field of psychology to avoid propagating unsubstantiated ideas.
- The grieving process is highly individual, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to "proper" grieving.
- Practical optimism, regulatory flexibility, and the ability to adapt coping strategies are key to overcoming adversity and promoting resilience.
- While post-traumatic growth is a real phenomenon, it is often overemphasized, and simply getting through a difficult experience without long-term negative impacts is a significant achievement.
Top Episodes Quotes
- βTrauma is, well, there is a very clear definition of trauma that the DSM uses a diagnostic and statistical manual, which is the bible of mental disorders, which is. Well, they used to use a better definition in a violent or life threatening event outside the range of normal human experience, something extraordinary.β by Professor George Bonanno
- βI can't imagine anything worse than. Than an idea that makes people feel bad for feeling good.β by Professor George Bonanno
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Episode Information
The Checkup with Doctor Mike
DM Operations Inc.
1/19/24
Professor George Bonanno is a world-renowned expert on Trauma and has spent decades teaching at Columbia University in NYC. His opinions on the subject have gotten him in some hot water online too, as he believes our cultural understanding of trauma is incomplete and often incorrect.
Buy Professor George Bonanno's book "The End Of Trauma" here: https://www.amazon.com/End-Trauma-Science-Resilience-Changing/dp/1541674367
Follow Professor Bonanno here: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/giorgiobee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giorgiobee/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-bonanno-610a0a22a/ 00:00 Intro 1:20 Are You Really Traumatized? 16:37 Whatβs Wrong WIth Psychology Today? 20:44 How To Overcome Trauma 26:00 Repressing Memories 29:05 Emotional Trauma Causing Physical Symptoms / Psychosomatic Stress 47:52 Getting Over Breakups / Coping Mechanisms 54:23 Addressing His Controversy 57:55 Resiliency 1:05:20 Post-Traumatic Growth 1:11:30 Addressing His Controversy Pt. 2 1:15:27 PTSD 1:20:15 Fixing Modern Psychology 1:25:03 My Trauma 1:28:25 Social Media
Executive Producer and Host: Doctor Mike Varshavski
Produced by Dan Owens and Sam Bowers
Art by Caroline Weigum