Is Your Need for Approval Causing Anxiety? A Talk with Dr. Aziz

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of anxiety with Dr. Aziz Gazipura. We explore four primary frameworks that explain the origins of anxiety:

1. Exposure: Anxiety stems from avoiding certain situations.
2. Cognitive: Irrational thoughts can escalate our anxiety levels.
3. Biological: Biochemical shifts can also trigger anxiety.

But the fourth, known as "The Hidden Emotion Model," suggests that unaddressed issues and suppressed emotions in our lives are key contributors to anxiety. This is essentially another term for being "too nice."

Being "nice" often means keeping the peace at the expense of your own feelings, which can ultimately lead to emotional turmoil and mental health struggles. I can personally relate to this, as my perspective changed after diving into Dr. Aziz's work.

Dr. Aziz Gazipura is not just a compelling speaker but also holds a PhD in clinical psychology. This makes his work both engaging and rooted in scientific research. He specializes in helping people build social confidence.

In our discussion, we cover a wide array of topics, including:

- Why Dr. Aziz emphasizes the pitfalls of being "too nice."
- The role of trauma healing in contrast to self-optimization.
- The significance of Shadow work and techniques for practicing it.
- Striking a balance between assertiveness and compassion.
- Dr. Aziz's personal journey from shyness to social confidence.
- Ways to express yourself without reservation.

And much more! Don't miss this enlightening episode.

Dr. Aziz Books: https://www.socialconfidencecenter.com/books

🌊  Love the podcast and want to dive deeper?

You can subscribe to Stoic Handbook Premium directly inside Apple podcasts or alternatively, you can join here via Supercast.