#736 - Dr Paul Conti - How To Fix Your Negative Inner Thoughts
Jan 25, 2024
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Dr. Paul Conti, a Stanford and Harvard-trained psychiatrist, dives deep into the hidden realms of the unconscious mind and its link to trauma. He explores how unprocessed experiences shape our identities, highlighting the iceberg analogy for thoughts and feelings. The discussion touches on ancestral trauma, the nuances of emotional responses, and the transformative power of self-dialogue. Dr. Conti emphasizes the importance of acknowledging negative inner narratives and offers insights into therapeutic methods that foster healing and self-awareness.
Understanding the unconscious mind is essential to understanding ourselves and how we navigate through the world.
Trauma can have profound effects on both the brain and the body, leading to imbalances in mental and physical health.
Negative experiences and thoughts have a significant impact on our well-being due to our innate negativity bias, but it is possible to challenge and change these negative narratives through therapy and self-work.
Deep dives
The Nature of the Unconscious Mind
The unconscious mind refers to a vast reservoir of thoughts and memories that exist below our conscious awareness. It influences our behavior and emotions without our conscious knowledge. Understanding the unconscious mind is essential to understanding ourselves and how we navigate through the world.
The Impact of Trauma on the Mind and Body
Trauma can have profound effects on both the brain and the body. It can disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters and hormone levels, leading to imbalances and changes in our mental and physical health. Trauma can also result in a heightened state of vigilance, increased stress hormones, and negative cognitive biases, all of which contribute to negative emotions, altered perception, and physical health issues.
The Enormous Impact of Negativity Bias
Negative experiences and thoughts have a significant impact on our well-being due to our innate negativity bias. This bias evolved to help us survive by prioritizing potential threats, but it can also lead to chronic negativity and self-critical thoughts. The narrative we tell ourselves about ourselves is crucial, as it can perpetuate negative patterns and beliefs. However, it is possible to challenge and change these negative narratives through therapy and self-work.
The Journey to Healing and Transformation
Healing from trauma and negative self-talk takes time and effort. While deeply ingrained neural pathways may not disappear overnight, it is possible to rewire the brain and create new positive narratives. Psychotherapy, self-reflection, and support systems can be instrumental in challenging negative beliefs, increasing self-awareness, and fostering personal growth. With dedication and persistence, it is possible to let go of destructive thought patterns and embrace a more positive and empowering mindset.
The Impact of Trauma and the Power of Insight
Trauma can have long-lasting effects on individuals, and it is essential to address and understand its impact. Trauma can re-emerge during times of stress, leading to self-doubt and self-fulfilling prophecies. The importance of insight-oriented psychotherapy is highlighted as a way to uncover and understand the underlying causes and narratives that contribute to our thoughts and behaviors. By bringing unconscious thoughts to the conscious level, individuals can gain greater self-understanding and develop strategies to navigate their challenges.
Epigenetics and Ancestral Trauma
Epigenetics, the study of changes in gene expression, has shed light on how trauma can be passed down through generations. Traumatic experiences can modify genetic expression, affecting individuals who haven't even been born yet. This understanding emphasizes the long-term, transgenerational consequences of trauma and highlights the importance of addressing it. By acknowledging the impact of epigenetics, society can develop strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of trauma, ultimately leading to improved mental health outcomes.
Dr. Paul Conti is a Stanford and Harvard trained psychiatrist and author specialising in unconscious trauma.
If our mind was an iceberg, our conscious thoughts are the tip, and the huge mass below the surface are our unconscious thoughts. Dr Conti's research works on bringing the, forgotten, traumatic, painful and unseen into the light so you can heal and improve.
Expect to learn what people mean when they refer to the unconscious mind, what Paul wished people understood about how trauma works, whether ancestral trauma is something that can actually be passed down through genetics, what happens to your brain and body after experiencing trauma, what we can learn from the little voices in our head and much more...
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