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Short Wave

What 'Inside Out 2' Got Right About Anxiety, Per A Psychologist

Jun 19, 2024
Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist and consultant for Pixar's Inside Out 2, dives into the film's accurate portrayal of anxiety during adolescence. She explains how the movie addresses the emotional turmoil of puberty and highlights Anxiety's transformation from enemy to ally in Riley's life. Damour also discusses a pivotal scene featuring a panic attack, focusing on real-life coping strategies like grounding techniques and deep breathing that adolescents can use. Her insights shed light on navigating the complexities of growing up in today’s world.
14:05

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Anxiety plays a vital role as a natural emotion, offering protection within healthy boundaries.
  • Puberty triggers intense emotions due to neural upgrades that prioritize emotions over rationality.

Deep dives

Evolution of Emotions in Inside Out 2

Inside Out 2 depicts Riley as a 13-year-old navigating through puberty and the challenges that come with it. Clincial psychologist Lisa DeMoor explains how the film's portrayal of new emotions like envy, embarrassment, ennui, and anxiety aligns with the evolving scientific understanding of emotions. The addition of anxiety as a central character showcases its importance as a natural human emotion, highlighting its protective role when within bounds.

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