What to do when you're too upset to think straight
Summary
Host Mariel Cigarra interviews psychiatrist Shereen Risby about distress tolerance skills from dialectical behavior therapy. They discuss the TIP acronym for immediate physiological calming, the IMPROVE framework for making difficult moments bearable, and the concept of willingness to accept reality. These research-backed tools help listeners manage intense emotions without trying to solve problems instantly.
Topics discussed
Intro: Plastic surgery, AI, and beauty standards
Introduction to distress tolerance and DBT
TIP Skill: Temperature and the mammalian dive reflex
TIP Skills: Intense exercise, paced breathing, and muscle relaxation
Ad breaks and Fresh Air promo
IMPROVE Skills: Imagery, meaning, prayer, relaxation, one thing, vacation, encouragement
Willingness vs. Willfulness and body posture
Recap of distress tolerance tools and credits
Outro promos for Fresh Air and Are We Doomed
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