Skip to content
The Mel Robbins PodcastThe Mel Robbins Podcast

A Yale Psychologist Explains Why Teens are Spiraling (It’s Not What You Think) | Mel Robbins Podcast

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist and author of three New York Times bestsellers. She earned degrees from both Yale and the University of Michigan and has more than 30 years of experience working with #teens and #families. Her latest book, "The Emotional Lives of Teenagers," has been nothing short of life changing. Today you will learn… -five words you need to know when someone you love is struggling -the signs that tell you when someone is “costly coping” -what to say that will prevent a conversation from turning into a battle -why your kids dump all their emotional garbage on you -when it’s time for a therapist -why struggles are signs of being “mentally WELL”! Leave this episode full of the resources you deserve. Xo Mel In this episode, you'll learn: 00:00 Intro 07:23 Why uncomfortable has become unmanageable in today’s culture 11:42 What does it mean to be “mentally well”? 16:21 What is costly coping and what action to take when doing this 22:05 The parenting advice you need starts with compassion and understanding 29:06 Here’s how I wish I’d handled Chris’s depression differently. 32:01 Let’s look at the difference in emotions between genders. 36:58 How do you help people in your life who just can’t let it go? 41:02 Do your kids do this, too? It’s called the “defense of externalization.” 46:49 How do you know when it’s time to get a therapist involved? 50:18 The impact of the pandemic on adolescence 58:01 When are suicide thoughts normal and when are they concerning? 1:01:17 What happened to our nervous system during this time? 1:03:00 These are the concerns of Dr. Damour that we should watch for. 1:07:36 When do healthy habits become an obsession? 1:16:32 How do you let kids have emotions without letting them run the home? 1:18:07 Here is the most important thing you can offer your teen. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel RobbinshostDr. Lisa Damourguest
May 18, 20231h 25mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
May 18, 2023
Duration
1h 25m
Channel
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist and author of three New York Times bestsellers. She earned degrees from both Yale and the University of Michigan and has more than 30 years of experience working with #teens and #families. Her latest book, "The Emotional Lives of Teenagers," has been nothing short of life changing. Today you will learn… -five words you need to know when someone you love is struggling -the signs that tell you when someone is “costly coping” -what to say that will prevent a conversation from turning into a battle -why your kids dump all their emotional garbage on you -when it’s time for a therapist -why struggles are signs of being “mentally WELL”! Leave this episode full of the resources you deserve. Xo Mel In this episode, you'll learn: 00:00 Intro 07:23 Why uncomfortable has become unmanageable in today’s culture 11:42 What does it mean to be “mentally well”? 16:21 What is costly coping and what action to take when doing this 22:05 The parenting advice you need starts with compassion and understanding 29:06 Here’s how I wish I’d handled Chris’s depression differently. 32:01 Let’s look at the difference in emotions between genders. 36:58 How do you help people in your life who just can’t let it go? 41:02 Do your kids do this, too? It’s called the “defense of externalization.” 46:49 How do you know when it’s time to get a therapist involved? 50:18 The impact of the pandemic on adolescence 58:01 When are suicide thoughts normal and when are they concerning? 1:01:17 What happened to our nervous system during this time? 1:03:00 These are the concerns of Dr. Damour that we should watch for. 1:07:36 When do healthy habits become an obsession? 1:16:32 How do you let kids have emotions without letting them run the home? 1:18:07 Here is the most important thing you can offer your teen. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

SPEAKERS

  • Mel Robbins

    host
  • Dr. Lisa Damour

    guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Dr. Lisa Damour, A Yale Psychologist Explains Why Teens are Spiraling (It’s Not What You Think) | Mel Robbins Podcast explores yale psychologist redefines teen mental health and post-pandemic crisis Mel Robbins interviews clinical psychologist and author Dr. Lisa Damour about the emotional lives of teenagers, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Damour reframes mental health as having feelings that fit the situation and are managed in healthy ways, rather than the absence of distress or constant happiness.

RELATED EPISODES

How to Eliminate Self-Doubt Forever & Build Unshakeable Confidence

How to Eliminate Self-Doubt Forever & Build Unshakeable Confidence

The Reality of Adult Friendship: Here’s Why You’re Lonely & How to Make Real Friends as an Adult

The Reality of Adult Friendship: Here’s Why You’re Lonely & How to Make Real Friends as an Adult

Harvard Business School Professor: This One Research Study Will Change Your Life and Career

Harvard Business School Professor: This One Research Study Will Change Your Life and Career

Eat THIS to Live Longer, Stay Young, and Transform Your Health

Eat THIS to Live Longer, Stay Young, and Transform Your Health

Surprising Signs of Anxiety and How to Heal It | The Mel Robbins Podcast

Surprising Signs of Anxiety and How to Heal It | The Mel Robbins Podcast

You’ll Never See Your Family the Same After This Episode

You’ll Never See Your Family the Same After This Episode

Get more out of YouTube videos.

High quality summaries for YouTube videos. Accurate transcripts to search & find moments. Powered by ChatGPT & Claude AI.

Add to Chrome