1044: Dan Harris | From Breaking News to Breaking Habits

Mental Health

Dan Harris and Jordan Harbinger discuss the evolving landscape of mental health conversations. Dan reflects on how, in 2003, mental health was rarely considered in medical diagnoses, contrasting it with today's openness. He also expresses concern about social media's role in potentially deepening mental health issues by promoting a culture of suffering rather than empowerment 1. Jordan adds that social media algorithms can exacerbate issues like eating disorders and depression by constantly feeding related content to users 1. Dan believes that the anxiety young people face today is a result of the friction-free world created by older generations, emphasizing the need for social interaction and resilience-building experiences 2.

Specifically, I worry about people on social media talking about their diagnoses in a way that is just wallowing in the suffering, which has some benefit because, you know, it's good to normalize.

--- Dan Harris

Jordan agrees, noting that while older generations may criticize younger ones for their anxiety, they should instead take responsibility for the environment they've created 2.

   

Psychiatric Help

Dan Harris shares his journey of overcoming panic attacks and drug use with the help of psychiatric therapy. He recalls how a psychiatrist identified his drug use as the likely cause of his panic attacks, leading him to quit and undergo extensive therapy 3. This therapeutic journey introduced him to meditation and Buddhism, which became crucial tools in managing his anxiety. Dan also discusses the balance between optimism and realism, emphasizing that while positive thinking is valuable, it cannot cure serious illnesses like cancer 4.

I had a panic attack, and then I went to see a psychiatrist, who was the first person to point out to me that the cause of the panic attack was most likely that I was doing drugs.

--- Dan Harris

Jordan and Dan agree on the importance of practical steps alongside positive thinking, using the metaphor of "tying your camel to the post" to illustrate the need for both faith and action 4.

   

Modern Anxiety

The conversation shifts to the roots of modern anxiety, with Dan Harris identifying several contributing factors. He notes that some people are naturally predisposed to anxiety, while others develop it due to a lack of social interaction and an aversion to discomfort in today's friction-free world 2. Dan emphasizes the importance of experiencing a certain amount of suffering to build resilience against stress. Jordan and Dan also discuss the concept of "propancia," the mental habit of creating catastrophic scenarios from minor events, and how recognizing this can help mitigate unnecessary stress 5.

There's a great little tool you can use to figure out whether the worrying makes sense. And this comes from a guy named Joseph Goldstein, who's my meditation teacher, and he's awesome. Just turned 80. And I remember I actually asked him once, dude, just what you just asked me. You know, there are times there's some shit I need to worry about sometimes. And he's like, yeah, that's true, but maybe on the 18th run through, ask yourself one simple question. Is this useful?

--- Dan Harris

Jordan finds this advice practical, noting that recognizing the futility of certain worries can help shift focus to more productive thoughts 5.