The Dharma of Anxiety and Depression | Leslie Booker

Overview

This episode dives into the deeply personal and universal challenges of anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. Dan Harris and Leslie Booker share candid stories about their mental health journeys, exploring how mindfulness, community, and even medication can provide relief. They also discuss the intersection of mental health with race, gender, and societal expectations, offering practical tools and insights for navigating these struggles.

Notable Quotes

- I think the good news is there are lots of ways to deal with it. I have not experienced a fix or a cure, but there are so many practices that I've found helpful. – Dan Harris, on managing anxiety and depression.

- I made a very conscious effort when I interviewed for this job to be like, listen, I have ADHD, I’m still recovering from a brain injury. These are the structures I need to be successful. – Leslie Booker, on advocating for her needs in the workplace.

- There’s a tax that I pay that you don’t pay. As a Black woman, I have to be better because I am the first, and everybody who comes after me depends on me not messing this up. – Dan Harris, quoting a friend on the pressures of representation.

🧠 The Personal Journeys of Anxiety and Depression

- Dan Harris shares his lifelong struggles with anxiety and depression, starting from childhood fears of nuclear war to panic attacks in adulthood. He highlights how major life transitions often triggered depressive episodes.

- Leslie Booker opens up about her experiences with depression tied to hormonal changes and ADHD, describing how shame and masking her struggles exacerbated her condition.

- Both discuss the role of medication in their mental health journeys, with Booker emphasizing how a traumatic brain injury made medication essential for her functioning.

🌍 Mental Health Through the Lens of Race and Gender

- Booker reflects on the unique pressures of being a Black queer woman, including the societal expectation to outperform dominant culture and the anxiety tied to perfectionism.

- Harris shares a friend's perspective on the tax of being a trailblazer in a predominantly white industry, underscoring the cognitive load of representation.

- They explore how anxiety and perfectionism manifest differently across genders, with women often internalizing the need to do it all themselves.

🧘 Mindfulness as a Tool for Healing

- Both speakers emphasize mindfulness as a powerful practice for managing anxiety and depression. Harris describes mindfulness as a way to recognize and name emotions, while Booker highlights its role in fostering self-compassion and awareness.

- Booker shares her practice of saying yes, thank you for a year to learn how to receive help and compliments, breaking patterns of self-reliance and isolation.

⚖️ The Evolving Cultural Conversation on Mental Health

- Harris notes the shift in societal attitudes toward mental health since his 2014 book, with more openness but also potential downsides like marinating in struggles without seeking solutions.

- Booker critiques the weaponization of therapy language in workplaces, where some individuals use mental health narratives without engaging in self-reflection or growth.

- Both agree that while the normalization of mental health discussions is positive, it’s crucial to pair openness with actionable steps for improvement.

🏠 Practical Adjustments for Mental Health

- Booker shares how she redesigned her home to accommodate her ADHD, such as installing pull-out shelves to reduce daily stressors.

- She emphasizes the importance of creating environments that support mental health, noting how small changes can have a significant impact on well-being.

- Harris and Booker discuss the importance of advocating for personal needs, whether in professional or personal spaces, to foster a healthier and more supportive environment.