Positive Disintegration Through the Lens of Youth
Content warning: This episode includes sensitive topics such as depression, intrusive mental imagery, and suicidal ideation. Please also note that our guest was known as Lance at the time of recording, but later changed their name to Seph.
In episode 24, Chris and Emma were joined by Seph Johnson (recorded as Lance), a college student from Colorado with a deep interest in Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration. Chris first met Seph in 2019, and their conversations over the years were rich with insight, humor, and a shared passion for the inner life.
We explored the challenges of imaginational overexcitability, including the experience of intrusive thoughts and vivid mental imagery. Seph spoke candidly about living with depression and intense emotional fluctuations, and the process of questioning whether these patterns reflected bipolar disorder. They also described the gifts of imagination—how it can be harnessed for mental rehearsal, creativity, and personal growth.
Seph shared how discovering the theory helped them engage in intentional self-development through autopsychotherapy and self-education. Their reflections on the journey toward authenticity—peeling back layers, facing oneself honestly, and embracing difference—were both moving and wise.
They also spoke about growing up in a rural area while coming to terms with being gay, and the loneliness and courage that accompanied that realization. Seph offered heartfelt advice for other young people navigating similar paths: seek true peers, honor your inner world, and trust that your differences are meaningful.
Update: We are devastated to share that Seph passed away on March 29, 2025. They were a remarkable soul whose presence touched many. [Click here to read their obituary.]
Connect with us!
Positive Disintegration on Substack
Visit the Dabrowski Center website
The Positive Disintegration YouTube Channel
Adults with Overexcitabilities group on Facebook
Dabrowski Center and Positive Disintegration Podcast Community on Facebook
The Tragic Gift blog by Emma
Email us at positivedisintegration.pod@gmail.com
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