The Story You Tell Yourself: Understanding Your Narrative Identity

The story you tell yourself about your life has immense power. This is your narrative identity – it shapes how you think, feel, and act. In this video, psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks helps you understand the key elements of your narrative:
• Your Foundation: Explore the early influences that shaped you.
• Key Life Events: How have experiences molded your identity?
• Future Outlook: What do you envision for the next chapter?

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[BigIndianBindi-jycz]

the narrative is much worse when you are ignored/neglected, and left to isolate in your room all the time, and no one showing interest or care that you're isolating. and when you do come out of the room, no one shows any interest.

EDIT: I would include that breaking away from this and improving feels impossible because of a lack of social skills, and "proper social and facial posture". Basically learning how to present self in the world as a human, and not as what looks like a feral yet timid animal (appearing very awkward, and afraid people will reject you for looking weird)

[sherita_is_built_different]

I needed this. Just yesterday, my narrative was "I'm overweight. I will only be loved if I'm smaller. I can never lose weight, therefore I will never be loved."

I also find myself giving and caring for others even before I care for myself. I grew up with the narrative that "God wants me to put others before myself" because for a long time I sacrificed my time to help take care of my sick mom and now I'm pouring myself into others if it means helping them.

Today, I am currently fighting through depression. I'm 32, and I haven't experienced so many things in life because I was too busy sacrificing myself to be everyone's comfort. I'm slowly but surely realizing that putting myself first is important. Asking for help is important. Saying no (even though it's difficult) is important.

Currently seeing a therapist so wish me well everyone.

[prabhakarbalakrishna]

Doctor, you are God sent to us.Thankyou.

[xazauhitra]

i’ve been thinking about this a lot recently . a lot of the stories we tell ourselves are so deeply ingrained and it’s difficult to recreate and believe different stories . it’s really subtle and it feels like it’s almost below the level of consciousness

[rachelsbehavior]

I hope you get to be on a talk show or something because you deserve recognition for the selfless service work you do running this channel and helping others develop skills to improve mental health. Until then, I give you all the appreciation and flowers. 💐 thank you for being you 🙏🏽

[meimojapela]

Since l began watching ur videos my life changed dramatically, l longer have stress or worries, l have bew perspective to the world 🌍 l love you so much Madam, be blessed and know that we are really grateful for having you. I love you so much from South Africa 🇿🇦

[oldladyjamz]

You are the best therapist I ever "had." Thank you. ☺️

[stivendavid]

Tbh, unfortunately I grew up in an environment where the people who raised me valued my worth based on educational success and by criticizing my daily behavior.
Based on this they would reward or punish me. No in between.
Thanks to my friends and partner in life I became self aware of my behaviors and perspectives on life❤

[justinwilliams]

Thank you Dr Marks! At 72 and living alone, I am still working very hard on 'myself'. I'll now try to invent a good ending to : "What do I want my future to look like?" This will take a lot of imagination and optimism!

[thefictionxwelive]

I’ve been working on my self-talk or “narrative identity” for about three years now in therapy. It is life changing. I went from my own worst enemy to my own best friend. It is possible. I still struggle with depression, but now the me on the inside takes my hand, gives me a hug, and whispers “you are strong”. Don’t lose hope.

Keep trying, even if it feels fake. It will feel fake in the beginning. Self-talk is a habit, whether it is positive, negative, neutral. We do it one way for so long it feels ingrained in us as if it’s the genuine truth. But the trick is, we get to decide. One day at a time becomes months becomes years. How we think changes what we do, which changes who we are. ❤

[Chereese]

This is so helpful. Explains a lot about why I view myself the way I do. I appreciate that it’s not too late to rewrite our narratives for the better. Thank you Dr Marks.

[SevenUnwokenDreams]

I hate when my narrative is that I am a really cool artistic person, but other people's narrative of me is that I'm mentally ill. It makes me feel bad about myself. So I isolate. Then I get lonely. Then my narrative goes to the negative.

[funkyandbold]

This lady's awesome. She's been doing her thing for years. Y'all should listen to her!

[ER-xlcs]

I had some sad and difficult life experiences. I did not get praise. I struggled in school. worked hard to overcome some difficulties. I FORGAVE a lot of people. I see myself as a hard worker, someone who looks at life realistically but also as full of possibilities! A cup half full! I’m not special or especially talented. I’m still moving forward! I stay positive by looking for positive things.

[PreppyPrincess]

Dr. Marks, totally off topic: I just love your hair!💕✨💕

[mioafox]

Had been sitting on the couch in the middle of the night crying for over an hour before I came here. Thank you, for providing an outlook on how to try and rein in the loneliness, fear and self-hate and self-consciousness that have been racking me for months now.

[tamatoes]

The timing of this video is crazy. I just figured out the Past part on my own last night after having a fight with my spouse. I wasn't even mad or in a fighting mood, so I listened to him tell me, yet again, that I get mad, yell, and belittle him when he isn't at 100%. And I was thinking, yes, because it is his fault that he is sick/tired/inconveniencing me, so I should get to be mad... and then I finally realized that's how my parents treated me.

[grahamfonteyne]

Dr. Marks, thank you for putting out such great, informative videos!

[daliacezar]

Yes.
The hardest challenges is to heal the inner child and start re-parenting is all linked with our triggers and behaviors.

[dee]

I have memory loss. Things I do remember are triggers of trauma and depression, anxiety and PTSD. Things are like a scrambled puzzle. I can't see myself as a child or teen. Meaning my brain is visually dead, black out. I can't see anything just darkness