
Show Notes
Hey friends!
In this episode of Anxiety Rx, I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Judith Joseph—a psychiatrist who took an unexpected detour from anesthesiology to psychiatry after realizing she was personally numbing more than just patients. Turns out, she was dealing with high-functioning depression.
We dive deep into what high-functioning depression actually looks like (hint: it’s not just sadness in a power suit), how childhood experiences sneak into adulthood, and why self-compassion isn’t just a fluffy buzzword—it’s a game-changer.
Dr. Joseph gets real about her own journey, shares insights from her therapy practice, and reminds us all to slow down and actually feel our emotions (yes, even the uncomfortable ones).
We also tackle societal pressures, the sneaky ways childhood trauma shapes our adult brains, and get a sneak peek at Dr. Joseph’s upcoming book, High Functioning—a much-needed guide to understanding happiness and mental health without the fluff.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing fine” on the outside but struggling beneath the surface, this one’s for you.
Tune in for wisdom, warmth, and a few aha moments along the way!
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
To pre-order Dr. Judith's book "High Functioning" click the link below: https://drjudithjoseph.com/book-preorder/ ____________________________ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to Anxiety and Psychiatry 02:38 High Functioning Depression: Understanding the Symptoms 05:40 The Importance of Slowing Down 09:46 Trauma and Its Impact on Mental Health 15:04 Masochism and People-Pleasing in Mental Health 19:50 The Role of Relationships in Self-Love 25:05 The Science of Happiness and Mental Health
More from Anxiety Rx
What if worrying is just your mind’s way of trying to stop you from worrying? In this episode, I pull apart the myth that positive thinking can cure anxiety. The alarm in the body and the worries in the mind feed each other in a loop that never ends. Childhood separation leaves a mark when you aren’t seen, heard, or protected, and that’s where the alarm takes root. Growing up with a father who had schizophrenia, I learned to escape into worry as my coping strategy. The real healing began when I turned toward the younger version of myself and felt what I’d spent years running from.
What if the real scam isn’t the robocall, but the idea that your worth is measured in dollars? In this episode, the lie that money can replace human connection takes center stage. A medical system built on billing codes pushed me to trade care for speed, and that disconnection fueled my own anxiety. Scams, ads, and constant grabs for attention keep the nervous system on high alert. The “monetization fairy” gets called out for what it is, and simple practices bring us back to intrinsic value and genuine human connection.
What if being “too sensitive” isn’t a flaw but the hidden root of your anxiety?
Ever pushed yourself to eat clean and work out, hoping it would calm your anxiety, only to feel even worse? Here’s why it happens…
What if burnout isn’t failure, but your body’s protective shutdown? In this episode, I open up about burning out as a doctor and why it went far beyond just being tired. Burnout showed up as a split between my mind pushing forward and the younger part of me saying, “I can’t do this anymore.” The mask of “Dr. Russell Kennedy” gave me income, status, and validation, but it also crushed my sense of self.