Episode Description
<p>Ask David, Dr. Matthew May asks--and helps us answer--the most common question he hears from his patients and fans: How do I help a loved one, friend, or colleague who's upset, agitated, angry, anxious, and more?</p> <ol> <li><strong>Matt asks: People ask me about a loved one who is anxious, and want to know what to do to help that person. Example:</strong></li> </ol> <p>"My daughter is hooked on social media. She's literally 'addicted'. She has terrible insomnia, low self-esteem, anxiety, hopelessness, depression, anger and fits of rage when we try to take her phone away. When my daughter is online, she texts things like:</p> <ol> <li>Is this really happening? This can't be happening</li> <li>OMG! This is terrible! How awful!</li> <li>Why am I so unpopular? I'm totally alone</li> <li>I shouldn't have posted all that stuff</li> <li>Everyone thinks I'm an idiot</li> <li>I have to do something to fit in</li> <li>Everything's hopeless. I give up.</li> <li>Is someone monitoring and recording me?</li> <li>All those creeps are evil and deserve worse than what they're getting</li> </ol> <p>On the podcast, Matt, Rhonda and David demonstrate effective and ineffective ways of responding to your loved one, or to anyone who is complaining and feeling upset. They use role-playing to illustrate the Five Secrets of Effective Communication, and you will see how hard it can be to hit it out of the park, even for experts!</p> <p>Thanks for listening today! In the upcoming weeks, we'll have several more Ask David episodes with these questions and more.</p> <ol> <li>Julia asks: is it more important to do positive reframing on feelings (anxiety, anger, frustration) rather than on specific thoughts («I should be calmer»)?</li> <li>Charlotte asks: What's the best way to use the "20 Qualities I'm looking for in an ideal mate?"</li> <li>Charlotte also asks: What's the best way to find out if someone you're dating is going to be loyal, faithful, and honest?</li> <li>Jenn asks: Are you getting old and cranky now?</li> <li>Zhang asks: I have intrusive daydreams and obsess about getting things perfect? What's causing this? And what can I do?</li> <li>Yevhen asks: How can I use "I Feel" Statements without oversharing?</li> <li>George asks: Would my approach help someone who is suicidal?</li> <li>No Name asks: Do I need to worry about my daughter's anxiety?</li> <li>Jeffrey asks: Can you disarm yourself?</li> </ol> <p>Thanks for listening today!</p> <p>Rhonda, Matt, and David</p>