"The only people whom you think are "normal" are those you don't yet know very well." Remembered this from somewhere..

Dr Marks is a Guiding Light in a world filled with so much darkness...You inspire me and so many worldwide.♥️

Carl Jung said “Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you.”

I think that most people are afraid to be who they are. So they hide who they are in front of others

Doctor you are making this world a better place with these videos

My therapist told me that anger isn't a negative emotion in the right context. For example, anger over harm done to a loved one is normal and should be acknowledged. It can be expressed or handled in a negative manner, but it's a normal reaction to the harm.

My ADHD meds wearing off. Paid no attention to the info, but I am living for the print you're wearing!

So there was this counselor in my school . Who said I am bipolar. But now I know I am not. Being happy or sad is normal. Mood swings are normal . Sometimes doubting my identity and life which is rare is normal. I am normal . After watching your videos I have realized that everybody has some issues but there is a limit beyond which it is pathological and can be classified as a disorder.

I kind of loathe myself for caring so much about others but still failing to please them, while I have a strong empathy that allows me to see others' opinions in their shoes, I rarely feel being understood. I guess down to the essence of it, mankind are complex entities. Thank you so much, Dr. Tracey for all the amazing things you've done. I literally find every video you make amazing, and I am not even exaggerating. With your help, I feel hopes.

I believe life is a emotional rollercoaster. Having the ability to have honest communication without fear of judgment to others regarding your positive and negative jubilation and sadness. Realizing what you can and cannot handle emotionally and physically. Is the bravest ability in your life. AKA living in the present moment AkA stepping out your comfort zone AKA using your ego instead of it running life for you.

As a retired RN / Mental health Nurse, I'm fairly certain there is no such thing as "normal". We all vary in how we are, every hour of every day. Our external environment can influence our behaviour. I'm not a fan of the DSM5 and the labeling it offers. We are linear beings, not static, stable entities. Give each other a break. None of us are anywhere close to perfect 😊

I been living in this horrible anxiety world of mine, all my life. I always say "I wish I was normal" but what is normal? Who knows anymore. 🤷‍♀️

Can you please do a video about the fear of going crazy? Thank you

I was misdiagnosed many years ago by a mental health professional - I did not agree with the diagnosis - fortunately I had been seeing another mental health professional for severe clinical depression on and off for a number of years - so I asked her- am I this label - "no" - she KNEW me - for *years* - unlike this person who met me for about an hour then wrote a long letter to my doctor - who then , things snowballed and affect me to this day almost 10 years later... all because one person made a subjective judgement of me - that the person who had known me for years immediately dismissed - After she said "no" - not an accurate diagnosis- we carred on with our session - near the end - she said, well actually you do have SOME traits - "but ALL of us do" (& gave me an article written by *the* expert in the field -) *ALL* of us do - like everything - healthy range & balance - yes, I do have some aspects - honest with myself - and other things I can see how others can *perceive* my behaviour in one way (when actually - not the reason why I do what I do) unfortunately that incorrect diagnosis (borderline personality disorder - when it should have been PTSD) - was put on my offical records - and *directly* affected the way OTHER PEOPLE in the system treated me - things have snowballed from there - to the point where I (and my trauma therapist - and a counselor (yes at the same time , different pieces of work - full knowledge & support if both) reassure me I'm not crazy, because so many other people treat me as such -crazy - borderline - personality disorder - esp people who are NOT mental health professional - just read those words... such destructive words - "borderline" (unstable - unpredictable, crazy - that is how I have been TREATED - "personality disorder" - SOMETHING is *wrong* with _me_ - (again how I have been treated - ) - feel like a normal sane person (with ptsd, anxiety & depression) being treated as a crazy person - I *cling* to those words, "we ALL" have some of these traits... from someone who LISTENED to me, understood me - the challenges I've been through - "we ALL have aspects..." (of a diagnosis , as she & this article explained - that many mental health people throw that LABEL on when they dont take the time to listen & understand a person - the WHY they do what they do (in my case, there are perfectly sound, logical, rational, reasons REASONS why I have PTSD, anxiety & depression - I am as 'normal' as someone who has been through what I've been through can be

I don't think I know anyone who is normal. We are a product of what we have been through in our lives and some people are very different from the normal. We just pretend to be normal whatever that is to ourselves. Thankyou Dr. Marks.

I say, “I think I’m normal.” And everyone laughs nervously - haha.

I feel like mental illness could possibly happen when one is so concerned about "being normal" so much to a point where they develop an ego so far removed from their "true self" that there is a split between the two when they become so far removed from one another.

Thank you so so so much for speaking more about 'personality'. In my early 20s I was diagnosed with elements of BPD and I have always wondered how this sort of 'worked'. At the time, I interpreted as 'ok so I just have a wrong personality apparently' and increased my self-doubt. But seeing personality as consisting of different facets on a continuum makes much more sense and feels more holistic and nuanced. I was I had known this all those years ago. Thanks for explaining.

I'm being treated for PTSD and Anxiety through the VA and appreciate your videos thank you so much for all you do

Your level of functioning is on a continuum, so true! This video is really insightful, love it 😊

Oh gosh, that part about distorting yourself hit really hard. 😫 My husband literally had a heart-to-heart with me today about things related to this. Also, the self-direction part. I struggle with that at different points in my life.

Your a Godsend.Ive been struggling with depression and anxiety for years and have found your advice to be amongst the most influential and easy to understand in fixing myself.

This is so beautifully presented. Thank you for your videos. Know yourself to improve yourself -Aguste Comete

What is normal. I’ve been asking since the 60’s ❤️

Thank you for making these videos Dr. Marks. The quality is fantastic and it just keeps getting better. Please don't stop!

Your channel is truly one of the best (and one of my most favourite channels to watch!!!) thank you for all the content you provide- it is so articulate & well delivered THANK YOU!!!

I appreciate these videos so much. Thanks a million Dr Marks

As a mental health therapist, I absolutely love the way she breaks down the different categories related to self and interpersonal. I think it really ties together all the group therapy topics I utilize and how it all fits into wellbeing.

I’ve literally just been thinking about this topic, especially since my diagnosis. I don’t know if I’ve just known a lot of people who struggle with mental illness, or because of my own struggle with mental illness my perception of what’s normal is warped, but man I have a really hard time believing that people exist that aren’t mentally ill 😭 if you don’t have a mental disorder you’re a unicorn to me

Dr. Tracey I made that question and I remember you answering me ... Thank you very much for the attention and for sharing such precious information. ♥️

It helped me when a colleague (lic, phycologist) told me , you are normal but not average

My God! I tend to get really excited about stuff right off the bat. Your video is awesome and I really appreciate your reserved tone. Thank you for this.

This channel is so amazing, thank you for making therapeutic content accesible!!!

Bravo!!! Thank you Dr. Marks! Well done ❤👏

OMG thank you so very much for having this video Dr. Marks. So many people and institutions try to force a socially constructed concept of 'normality' upon others but never can define it. This then leads to 'exclusion or discrimination.' Or at least in my experience, I think that when people or institutions use this term 'normal' depending on context it can mean 'conformity or assimilation.' To combat this mindset I always quote one of my favorite movies: "Being normal is vastly overrated."

I love your communication style. You are so clear and succinct. Thank you for your videos!

Oh, I can’t wait for this upcoming video! The current one is amazing as well! I will memorise it!

I just came across your channel today and it’s been such a blessing

Thank you. Your videos are always so useful and easier to understand.

Thank you for putting "normalcy" into perspective

This is a very helpful video. I like your method of making psychology centered on the individual's own experiences, not on categories. And you are very clear on the difference between difficulties a healthy person faces and the disorders a truly troubled person faces.

This is awesome. You are an amazing Dr. I wish I could find one like you. I’ve learned so much about myself and those in my world. I never realized how much everyone is in their own world when it comes to emotions. Thank you so much for your videos 💕

Dr. Marks thank you so much for making this video!!!

Thank you Dr. Marks for your scientifically-informed videos on various mental health topics that are insightful yet unbiased. In this day and age, they're not only refreshing but very appreciated!

Love you Dr Marks. The videos you have made that are relevant to my issues have helped a lot, and the content that doesn't directly relate to me still helps give a bigger understanding of how we function as human beings. You're helping so many people across THE WORLD to bring order to the chaos swirling around their heads. Your family, friends and peers should be incredibly proud. All the best from the UK

Such valuable information from such a valuable doctor. Highly appreciated 🤗 I'll be playing this video more than once and taking notes for sure

Thank you so much for this video, Dr. Tracey ! It’s very well-explained about the self and the interpersonal interactions. Beautifully done ! 😊 ❤️

What a big and warm embrace, thx

Dr Tracey is the only KZfaq creator I need to have a note pad with me to remember all the important points.!

Love your videos Dr. Tracy. I'm in ATL too. Keep up the great work.

What a great explanation. Empathy seems to be in short supply these days. Some guys think intimacy and sex are the same thing.

this video was really cool! i spent a few years in therapy treating severe anxiety in college and most of what we worked on were self and identity focused issues. I had very over bearing, passive aggressive parents with high expectations growing up and i had to spend a lot of time working on learning to build my own identity and values, learning its ok to have personal boundaries and being more decisive. so cool how the main themes of years in therapy could be summed up so succinctly! thank you dr. marks :)

I eventually want to work on getting back into therapy & I appreciate videos like this bc it's a really helpful starting point to my overall healing

Thank you very much, Dr. Marks. Your explanations are so articulate and helpful. I share your videos all the time.

This video actually made me realize how much better I'm doing than say 4 years ago. I still have a lot of MH issues but on each of these factors it used to be much worse and I had a lot less self awareness or hope about them.

3:20 anger is a positive emotion. It's how you handle it, that can be negative.

Doctor you are simply incredible! I’m binge watching your channel and everything you have to say is absolutely the truth! Thank you for this resource!👏👏👏🤩🤩🤩

My boyfriend is legit the sanest person i have ever met. He's so sane that he doesn't understand mental illnesses. He really believes that they don't exist. A good part of his sanity is definitely genetic (his parents, although divorced, are both very healthy people. Nothing strange about them in the slightest) but also due to the fact that he intuitively takes care of himself everyday. When he is hungover, he goes for an intense training session. He eats well. Takes care of his joints. Never smoked. Doesn't abuse screens. Etc

Informative and thought-provoking, as always.

Love this frame: a continuum of traits, that changes over time depending on circumstances. No one is frozen in tine, we all learn and grow 😄

You helped me a lot with this video. I have some of the "pathological" tendencies you mentioned. At least I know now what I need to work on. It's much easier to hit a target you can see. Thanks for the clarity🙏

I love watching your videos :) it gives me hope that one day I’ll have a psychiatrist that actually listens and cares. I was referred to a 1.4 star psychiatrist and the reviews definitely spoke volumes after my appointment. I hope to one day find someone like you near me.

I'm glad in this video your finall talking more about the person rather than a specific disorder good stuff 👍

I really like how you explained this. I’ve encountered some people in my life that I really can’t explain, it’s hard to say that the way they act is some sort of disorder. However, the way you explain it, it’s a lot more clearer to me how to explain their actions. I look forward to more videos you have planned on this topic!

Really helpful videos.Always thank you for understanding ourselves.

best chanel on psychology so far love your blouse

Oh my god, that sweater set is off the hook--so groovy!

Dr. Marks is by far the best therapist, teacher, learner and kind hearted person I've ever listened to. I trust her. Dr. Marks is so compassionate in her speech and demeanor. Thank you Dr. I feel hopeful keep trying.

Dr.Tracey, I love your chanel. I'm really glad that I found it somehow. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 🙏

I've watched the ton of your videos thank you so much

Amazing as always!!!

Dr Tracey, thanks for another great video! Something I didn't fully understand and maybe something to elaborate on in further videos: - You said unmanaged anger gets suppressed and manifests as passive aggression, anxiety, or other things. I have previously read somewhere that passive aggression or sulking are also forms of anger and are as damaging and as aggressive to a person on the receiving end. What is managed anger? How do you 'manage' anger without actually being angry and without suppressing it? If being passive-aggressive is as bad as being aggressive, how do you behave when you feel angry? - You said having identity boundaries means having a clear distinction between yourself and others. What if your spiritual practice teaches you of oneness or a collective self or anything that erases that boundary between yourself and others and takes a more 'we are part of a whole' approach, how do you reconcile that? - Any advice on setting healthy boundaries (what are they? how to set them with others?) would be very helpful.

Great explanation!

Great video! Thanks.

I love these videos they help me understand so much

Thanks for spreading lights of psychological knowledge

Thank you so much for the knowledge. ⚘🙏🏽

Now I’m bingeing, another great video. Had to rewind a bunch again. I must say, empathy also includes nonhuman animals.

always such great stuff with you Doc.. Could listen to you all week.. And Ya, I have issues..

I like your new surrounding, looks very cosy.

I really love the insight you give great job

I appreciate your lack of ads

Happy to find you ❤ No one helped Me like you did..

Thank you, doctor! ❤

this was good thanks for posting this

Great video.

Information well presented and easy to follow.. The fluidity helps to grasp psychoanalytic terms without pausing for side aid from a reference source. I have watched numerous other Psychotherapy channels before finding Dr Marks’ and her suggested solutions are plausible and collaborated in parts by the other credentialed academics and practicing clinicians.

Really enjoy your communication style.

Waiting eagerly for the video on boundaries with parents and boundary disillusionment. Thanks.

Nice video Doc

Her videos are super helpful!

I can't wait for that video on parent-child role reversal.

Very very interesting vídeo and topic. Thank you Dr. Marks.

Wonderful video!

True... Thxz, ma

This was excellent!

My father and a high school bully are self aggrandizing. I learned to address only what is good with my father, and to keep away from the high school bully and her enablers because I can not relate to bullying and disrespect. No reason to have a bad day because of immaturity.

You helped me soooo much

Thank you

Thanks Doc