The Gaslit Truth

College Readiness: The Hidden Cost of Being Overmedicated with Joanna Lilley M.A., NCC


Listen Later

Send us a text

Mental health readiness is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of college preparation. While academic credentials and test scores dominate the conversation, students are rarely assessed for their emotional resilience and social readiness – the very skills that often determine their success.

Our conversation with Joanna Lilley, a therapeutic consultant who works exclusively with college-aged young adults, reveals a troubling pattern. Many students who excel academically find themselves overwhelmed by college life, sometimes withdrawing after just days or weeks. The culprit? A lack of preparation for the independence, social navigation, and emotional regulation college demands.

Parents play a crucial role in this readiness equation. The "helicopter" or "lawnmower" parenting styles that clear all obstacles from a child's path inadvertently prevent them from developing resilience. When these students face inevitable college challenges without their parents' intervention, they often crumble under pressure they've never learned to manage.

The COVID pandemic has exacerbated these issues, creating significant developmental gaps for students who spent their formative middle school years in isolation. Today's college freshmen missed critical opportunities to develop social skills during lockdowns, making campus life particularly challenging.

Perhaps most concerning is the over-medication of young adults. Many high-achieving students are prescribed multiple psychiatric medications to help them cope with academic pressure, creating additional risks when they mix medications with alcohol or discontinue them without supervision in college environments.

What determines success isn't academic capability but rather having experienced adversity and developed coping strategies. Students need balance, social skills, and the self-awareness to recognize when they need help. For many, taking a gap year might be the wisest decision, allowing time to develop emotional maturity before attempting college.

Ready to reassess what college readiness truly means? Listen now to understand how you can support genuine preparation that encompasses the whole person – not just their transcript.

Support the show

Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at [email protected]

While you are at it, Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @thegaslittruthpodcast.
Be sure to Hit that subscribe button and get alerts for more episodes!

Thanks for listening!

Follow Us individually at

Dr. Teralyn:

  • Instagram @Dr_Teralyn
  • Facebook @DrTeralyn
  • Tik Tok @Dr_Teralyn

Therapist Jenn:

  • Instagram @TherapistJen
  • TikTok @Jenn.Schmitz





...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Gaslit TruthBy Dr. Teralyn & Therapist Jenn

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

10 ratings


More shows like The Gaslit Truth

View all
The Anxious Truth - A Panic, Anxiety, and Mental Health Podcast by Drew Linsalata

The Anxious Truth - A Panic, Anxiety, and Mental Health Podcast

1,185 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,581 Listeners

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

14,873 Listeners

TRIGGERnometry by TRIGGERnometry

TRIGGERnometry

1,839 Listeners

Dhru Purohit Show by Dhru Purohit

Dhru Purohit Show

3,475 Listeners

The Dr. Hyman Show by Dr. Mark Hyman

The Dr. Hyman Show

9,289 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

26,964 Listeners

Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories by Craig Heacock MD

Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

463 Listeners

Hacking Your ADHD by William Curb

Hacking Your ADHD

699 Listeners

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy by Dr. Mindy Pelz

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy

1,317 Listeners

Mayim Bialik's Breakdown by Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

5,191 Listeners

Just Ingredients by Just Ingredients

Just Ingredients

2,210 Listeners

Honestly with Bari Weiss by The Free Press

Honestly with Bari Weiss

8,563 Listeners

Disordered: Anxiety Help by Josh Fletcher and Drew Linsalata

Disordered: Anxiety Help

395 Listeners

The David Ghiyam Podcast by David Ghiyam

The David Ghiyam Podcast

627 Listeners