This is episode 2 of a 4-part special series on mental health with Dr. Paul Conti, M.D., a Stanford and Harvard-trained psychiatrist currently running a clinical practice, the Pacific Premiere Group. Dr. Conti explains specific tools for how to overcome life’s challenges using a framework of self-inquiry that explores all the key elements of self, including defense mechanisms, behaviors, self-awareness and attention. We also discuss our internal driving forces, how to align them and ultimately, how to cultivate a powerful “generative drive” of positive, aspirational pursuits. Dr. Conti also explains how to adjust your internal narratives, reduce self-limiting concepts, overcome intrusive thoughts, and how certain defense mechanisms, such as “acting out” or narcissism, show up in ourselves and others. The next episode in this special series explores how to build healthy relationships with others. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Dr. Paul Conti Website: https://drpaulconti.com Pacific Premier Group: https://pacificpremiergroup.com Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It: https://amzlink.to/az01KBLaUX3m6 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-m-conti-845074216 Resources GUEST SERIES | Dr. Paul Conti: How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health: https://hubermanlab.com/guest-series-dr-paul-conti-how-to-understand-and-assess-your-mental-health The Iceberg Model: https://hubermanlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Iceberg-Model.pdf Pillars of Mental Health: https://hubermanlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pillars-of-Mental-Health.pdf Timestamps 00:00:00 Improve Mental Health 00:02:19 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Waking Up App 00:05:26 Structure & Function of Healthy Self 00:16:25 Agency & Gratitude 00:21:14 Aggressive Drive, Pleasure Drive, Generative Drive 00:30:00 Physical & Mental Health Similarities, Verb States 00:37:05 Sponsor: AG1 00:38:32 Lack of Motivation, Drives 00:43:06 Video Games/Social Media & Distraction, Generative Drive 00:51:46 Asking Better Questions, Psychiatric Medicine, Physical Health Parallels 00:59:10 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 01:00:30 Self-Reflection & Structure of Self “Cupboards”, Trauma & Agency 01:08:53 Feeling Stuck, Defense Mechanisms & Sublimation, Character 01:13:58 Self-Reflection & Function of Self “Cupboards”, Self-Awareness 01:19:24 Defense Mechanisms & “Acting Out” 01:26:43 Salience, Intrusive Thoughts 01:31:24 Self-Reflection, Behaviors & Strivings; Roadmap Forward 01:38:25 Internal Narratives, Childhood 01:44:44 Internal Narratives: Self-Scrutiny & Overcoming; Trauma 01:55:18 Time Required for Change, Understanding Intrusive Thoughts 02:03:13 Self-Reflection on Internal Drives; Envy 02:09:56 Generative Drive; Strong Aggressive Drive & Envy 02:21:50 High Aggressive Drive & Social Relationships, Narcissism 02:28:43 Narcissism, Destruction, Envy 02:37:18 Narcissism & Childhood, Change 02:41:26 Engaging with Narcissists, Disengagement 02:44:47 Demoralization, Learned Helplessness 02:49:34 Self-Inventory of Drives, Optimization 02:56:09 Social Media & Salience, Generative Drive 03:03:21 Rational Aspiration 03:13:16 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous, Neural Network Newsletter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com Disclaimer: https://hubermanlab.com/disclaimer