Aspire with Emma Grede Why Doing It All Still Doesn’t Feel Like Enough with Dr. Judith Joseph
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Dec 9, 2025 
Join Dr. Judith Joseph, a psychiatrist and expert in high-functioning depression, as she unpacks the unseen struggles behind success. She reveals how overachievers often feel empty despite their accomplishments and discusses the concept of 'pathological productivity.' The conversation delves into the five V's framework—Validation, Venting, Values, Vitals, and Vision—as practical tools for reclaiming joy. Judith shares insights on balancing ambition with mental well-being and offers strategies to reconnect with what truly matters.
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Hidden Depression Behind High Performance
- High-functioning depression shows classic depressive symptoms without loss of outward functioning.
- People push through pain and therefore often don't meet psychiatric criteria for treatment until collapse.
Personal Turning Point In 2020
- Judith Joseph discovered her own anhedonia while giving a talk in 2020 despite outward success.
- She used therapy to process trauma and then started research to help others earlier.
Busy-ness As Trauma Avoidance
- Pathological productivity often functions as avoidance rooted in unprocessed trauma.
- Overachievers busy themselves to avoid processing pain and shame.
