Holocaust Survivor, Dr. Edith Eger: Overcoming Trauma | E112

Hear From Holocaust Survivor and Psychologist, Dr. Edith Eger! 

 

In this episode, we are chatting with Dr. Edith Eger, a best-selling author, psychologist, and survivor of the Holocaust. In 1944, she was taken to Auschwitz as a teenager and separated from her parents, who were taken to the gas chamber. Surviving on her bravery and imagination, she was able to stay alive until American soldiers liberated the camp. She went on to move to America and received a Bachelors of Psychology as well as a Doctorate.

 

Dr. Eger is a prolific author and a member of several professional associations. She has a clinical practice in La Jolla, California, and holds a faculty appointment at the University of California, San Diego. She has appeared on numerous television programs including CNN and the Oprah Winfrey Show, and was the primary subject of a holocaust documentary that appeared on Dutch National Television. 

 

In today’s episode, we chat about Edith’s shot at competing in the Olympics as a teenager, her horrifying experience during the Holocaust, how her mental strength helped her survive. We’ll also chat more about how you can use your imagination to protect yourself, how to conquer traumatic experiences, why the label ‘victim’ shouldn’t be used, and Dr. Edith’s best tips to move forward from trauma and guilt. This is such a sobering and insightful episode that you definitely do not want to miss! 

 

Sponsored by BetterHelp: Join over 1 million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Visit BetterHelp.com/YAP for 10% your first month. 

 

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Timestamps:

 

03:06 - Dr. Edith’s Life Before the Holocaust

06:22 - Dr. Edith’s Journey through the Holocaust 

07:35 - Why Edith Couldn’t Compete in the Olympics 

10:22 - How to Deal With Being in a Minority and Potential Shame 

12:26 - Dr. Edith’s Final Moments With Her Mother 

16:09 - How Dr. Edith Survived Her Time in Auschwitz

19:18 - Daily Life in Auschwitz and Edith’s Experiences

23:54 - Dr. Edith’s Lingering Survivors Guilt 

28:21 - What Dr. Edith Did for 10 Years After the Holocaust

30:43 - How To Use Imagination to Protect Your Mental State 

36:26 - How To Fully Grieve Traumatic Experiences

39:24 - Dr. Edith’s New Book, The Gift

40:33 - What Happens When You Are A Prisoner Of Your Own Mind

42:20 - Why Dr. Edith’s Not a Victim

45:08 - How to Move From ‘Victim’ to ‘Survivor’

47:09 - How to Control Internal Negative Talk

49:35 - How to End Hatred and Make Progress

51:57 - Actionable Steps To Deal With Trauma 

57:48 - Does Dr. Edith Forgives the Nazis?

1:00:06 - Dr. Edith’s Secret to Profiting in Life

 

Mentioned in the Episode:

 

Dr. Edith’s Website: https://dreditheger.com/

Dr. Edith’s New Book, The Gift: https://dreditheger.com/the-gift-2/