The Hidden Costs of Resilience: Insights from a War Survivor

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Helen Sairany, a war survivor from Iraq. We dive deep into the world of trauma and how it can shape our lives. Helen shares her incredibly brave story of surviving war as a Kurdish child. Together, we talk about the psychological effects of trauma, the importance of feeling safe, and why we need a world that understands and supports people who've been through tough times. It's a powerful conversation about community, connection, and learning to be kind to ourselves. 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 3800+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Dr. Sairany's Background 01:24 - The Impact of War 03:34 - Connection vs. Protection 04:53 - Trauma and Sensitivity 07:23 - Struggles with Safety 09:44 - Coping Mechanisms 11:19 - Understanding Emotional Responses 13:15 - Healing as a Process 17:23 - The Importance of the Present 18:21 - The Healing Journey 20:22 - Feeling Like an Outsider 21:20 - Subconscious Identity Struggles 22:05 - The Price of Authenticity 24:09 - Importance of Safe Communities 25:04 - Quality Over Quantity in Friendships 26:29 - The Power of Friendship 27:09 - The Role of Professionals in Healing 29:03 - Understanding Trauma Beyond War 30:16 - The ACE Study's Importance 32:51 - Burnout in Medical Professionals 35:23 - Trauma's Overwhelming Nature 40:14 - Moral Injury in Healthcare 43:43 - The Cost of Change 45:06 - Delayed Action in Mental Health 45:53 - Awareness of Trauma in Society 49:17 - Moving from Head to Body 50:29 - Compassionate Connection 56:18 - Wisdom from a Trauma Survivor