Quieting Your Inner Critic: Dr Ellen Hendriksen on Social Anxiety
I guess I'll start out saying that I am to the point now that it doesn't own me, that I still get anxious, but I can still forge ahead and do whatever it is that I am fearing or I'm worrying about.
Feeling like everyone’s eyes are on you when you walk into a room? You're not alone. In this episode of 'Mental Illness Happy Hour', host Paul Gilmartin sits down with Dr Ellen Hendriksen, a Harvard Medical School psychologist and author of 'How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety'. Dr Hendriksen opens up about her own struggles with social anxiety and shares the science behind it.
She dives into the negative self-talk that often fuels social anxiety and the 'safety behaviors' people use to cope. But it's not all doom and gloom; Dr Hendriksen offers practical advice on building confidence through small actions and understanding the brain's ability to change with practice. They also touch on how to deal with past traumas and the importance of cultivating healthy friendships.
If you're looking for actionable steps to quiet your inner critic and live a more authentic life, this episode is a must-listen.