In this episode, Judy and Dr. Sophia engage in a deep conversation with Dr. Nicole Washington about the unique mental health challenges faced by high-achieving women, particularly Black women. They discuss the importance of specialized mental health services, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the connection between mental and physical health. The conversation also touches on the complexities of menopause, the need for empathy in women's health, and the triggers for mental health conditions in young adults. The episode emphasizes the importance of support networks and the need to address mental health openly and without stigma. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of mental health, emphasizing the importance of early intervention, medication adherence, and the impact of social media and COVID-19 on mental well-being. They explore the complexities of diagnoses like oppositional defiant disorder and the significance of understanding adverse childhood experiences. The discussion also touches on the challenges of imposter syndrome and the need for representation in mental health care.Produced by NO LONGER NETWORKHosted by Judy and Sophia Grant.Producer Nikita Belomestnykhwww.nolongernetwork.com00:00Introduction and Personal Purging Stories01:51Introducing Dr. Nicole Washington04:00The Need for Focus on High Achieving Black Women05:45The Loneliness of High Achievers08:59The Mask of Perfection and Vulnerability10:51Understanding Situational vs. Clinical Depression14:07The Stigma of Mental Health15:51The Interconnection of Mental and Physical Health16:47Navigating Perimenopause and Mental Health19:36Hormonal Changes and Mental Health20:21The Shift in Gynecological Practices for Menopause25:31Understanding Mental Health Triggers in Young Adults30:28Navigating Medication and Mental Health33:32The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health38:22Finding Connection During Isolation39:28The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health43:35Understanding Imposter Syndrome49:04The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences50:07Critique of Oppositional Defiant Disorder55:04The Black Woman's Confidant PodcastTakeawaysJudy loves to purge and declutter her life.High-achieving women often feel lonely at the top.Women tend to take on more responsibilities at work and home.Situational sadness is a normal human response to bad events.There is a stigma around mental health that needs to be addressed.Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical health.Perimenopause is often misunderstood and not adequately addressed in healthcare.Empathy is crucial in understanding women's health issues.Triggers for mental health conditions can appear during stressful life events.Open communication about mental health is essential for support. Early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes for mental health disorders.Medication adherence is crucial for managing mental health conditions effectively.COVID-19 has significantly impacted mental health, particularly through social isolation.Social media can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and FOMO among youth.Imposter syndrome is prevalent, especially among women and people of color in professional settings.Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) play a critical role in adult mental health issues.Oppositional defiant disorder may be misdiagnosed, particularly in children of color.Understanding a child's background is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.Mental health care should prioritize representation and cultural competence.Keywordsmental health, depression, high achieving women, menopause, situational sadness, stigma, brain health, women's health, therapy, psychiatric services, mental health, early intervention, medication adherence, COVID-19, social media, imposter syndrome, adverse childhood experiences, oppositional defiant disorder,