In Session with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

December 17, 2020

Podcast: Detach Player

Every lover of podcasts liked Freudian Scripts a lot,
But the Grinch, who never listened or downloaded, did not!

The Grinch hated psychology. The other Whos, they would tease him.
It was especially bad during the holiday season.

So on this week’s episode, Dr. Sam and Dr. Fran
decided to psychoanalyze this little green man.

What’s going on at the top of Mt. Crumpit?
If there’s a diagnosis to be had, we’ve never been stumped yet.

Is it attachment, anxiety or clinical depression?
Listen and figure out during our special holiday session.

On the 20th anniversary of this live action story,
We’ll celebrate this classic, in all its Grinchy glory!

Glossary of Terms

Attachment – ways that people form intimate and emotional bonds with others

Secure attachment style – when children have their emotional and psychological needs met and feel protected by their caregivers

Insecure attachment style – when children do not have their emotional and psychological needs met and thus show reluctance in their relationships and other mixed emotions

Reactive attachment disorder – disorder that can develop if the child’s basic needs for comfort, affection and nurturing aren’t met and loving, caring, stable attachments with others are not established

Inhibited behavior – tendency toward distress and nervousness in new situations

Social anxiety disorder – a disorder characterized by an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others

Exposure therapy – therapeutic strategy involving exposing the client/patient to the source of anxiety in an effort to reduce anxiety

References

Dr. Sam shared some of the legends behind the creation of The Grinch on today’s episode. Read more about the origin of the story here

Learn more about different attachment styles and how they can impact relationships in adulthood

We also discussed some new diagnoses in today’s session, such as Reactive Attachment Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder

Are you feeling stressed this holiday season? You’re not alone! Check out these resources from the American Psychological Association and the Mayo Clinic on managing holiday-related stress