Today on the You Can Heal Your Life Podcast, you'll hear a chapter from High Functioning Anxiety, the brand new audiobook by psychologist and holistic healer Dr. Lelita Suglani. In this

excerpt Dr. Lelita shares her experience growing up as a second-generation British immigrant who struggled with high functioning anxiety,

constantly trying to balance two cultures and cope with feelings of inadequacy and shame.

Despite external success, she faced intense internal anxiety and fear, eventually realizing

the need to confront these shadows and embrace her authentic self.

Don't miss your chance to listen to the full audiobook with a free trial

and learn all about Dr. Lelita's five-step guide to calming your inner panic and thriving.

Visit Hayhouse.com slash empower you to start listening today.

I still remember the moment I chose to finally face my shadows. Growing up as a second

generation British immigrant and ethnic minority, I'd found myself split between two cultures. This shaped my life experience and in an effort to cope I developed high functioning anxiety.

By the time I reached adulthood I was filled with shame and the mental box I was trying to hide it in was running out of space.

I believed that there was something deeply wrong with me and as my inner critic became louder

I struggled to even look at myself in the mirror.

This was my approach to dealing with the way I fell and only now can I see how unhealthy it was. At the time I didn't

know what was happening to me. I just thought I was stupid and pathetic. I didn't want anyone else to see that though, so I did whatever I could to

ensure this side of me remained hidden. My solution to my problems was to try and become successful.

But at the heart of them lay a lack of values and meaningful connections with others.

And although I felt exhausted by it all, I believed there was nothing else I could do.

I was scared to ask for help because I didn't want to reveal how messed up I thought I was.

For years I fought to avoid certain parts of myself, but no matter what I did, they always found a way to emerge.

In the end, I had no choice but to force them out of the darkness and into the light and what I discovered there

changed my life.

...