Defense mechanisms, or "difaac maskaxda" in Somali, are psychological strategies used by individuals to cope with reality and maintain self-image. They often operate unconsciously to protect the mind from feelings of anxiety or guilt.
Defense mechanisms, or "difaac maskaxda" in Somali, are psychological strategies used by individuals to cope with reality and maintain self-image. They often operate unconsciously to protect the mind from feelings of anxiety or guilt.
In this short grounding episode, I show you how to use a frozen orange to calm your mind and body. It’s a simple DBT-inspired technique that helps during anxiety.
Qaybtan waxan ku tusaya sida oranji qabow maskaxda u dejin karo marka aad dareento walwal.
Ku celceli markasta oo aad u baahato.
Subscribe for more grounding tools and healing content.
In this episode, Dr. Ahmed from Somali Psychology joins usto explain obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) — We talk aboutthe different types, symptoms, and how treatment can help.
Waxan ka hadalnay:
🎧 Listen when you’re ready, share with someone who might benefit and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
🎧 Dhagayso oo la wadaag qof kale.
Self-compassion or isku naxirista naftaada waa marka aad naftaada si tartiib ah ula hadasho marka ay noloshu adkaato ama aad qalad dareento.
Self-compassion isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being kind to yourself when things are hard. It means understanding your mistakes and speaking gently to yourself just like you would to someone you care about.
Wa inad naftaada fahamto, cafiso oo aad isku sheegto erayo naxaris leh marka aad murugo ama walbahaar dareento.
Pause. Tune in. And remind yourself: "I am here, and I matter"
This is the third episode of the Therapist Series on Maskaxda & Healing. I spoke with Dr. Ashwak, a Somali therapist, about youth mental health and the stigma that still surrounds therapy in our community.
We talked about how deen can support healing and why some Somali parents still say no to therapy even when their kids are struggling in school.
This conversation serves as a reminder for our community to unlearn some of the beliefs we grew up with and start listening to what our youth need.
Welcome to another episode of the Therapist Series on Maskaxda & Healing. Waxan la hadlay Dr.Ahmed oo sharaxay trauma– waxu yahay iyo sida uu jirka iyo maskaxda dhibaato ugu keeni karo. Explored how trauma shows up in our Somali communities, and how unhealed pain can affect our daily life.
Dr. Ahmed shared a Somali proverb from his book Fires and Ashes, touching on triggers and the emotional wounds we carry without even knowing.
📺 For more mental health education in Af Somali follow Dr. Ahmed on YouTube: Somali Psychology
📩 Want to share your story or bring awareness? Email ocminab@gmail.com or anonymously at https://bit.ly/Maskaxda
🎧 Listen and share – healing starts with understanding.
Welcome to the Therapist Series on Maskaxda & Healing.
In this episode-I talk with Lul (LPCC, LADC) about the connection between mental health and addiction.
We discuss:
• How addiction affects the brain
• Environmental and biological factors
• Why therapy isn’t something to fear
• How mindfulness shows up in our deen through prayer and presence
This episode offers valuable insights for anyone wanting to better understand mental health, addiction, and healing.
Follow Maskaxda & Healing for more conversations like this.
In this episode of Maskaxda & Healing, I open up about a part of my story I kept buried for almost a decade. Back in 2016, I was silently struggling with something I didn’t understand — something I didn’t have the words for. Even after being told it was PTSD, I couldn’t accept it. I felt guilt, confusion, and shame. Through journaling, years of growth, and working in mental health, I slowly began to understand what I had been carrying all along. This episode is about letting go of the silence, naming what once felt unspeakable, and allowing myself to finally begin healing. If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t explain your pain — this is for you.
Waxaad ku baranaysa hab ka cawinaya ina dejiso maskaxda. Waxaad isticmaali doonta 5 wax aad aragto, 4 wax aad taabato, 3wax aad maqasho, 2 wax aad uriso iyo 1 wax aad dhadhamiso. Waa farsamo lagu dejiyo walbaharka.
In this episode of Maskaxda & Healing, we are joined by Alan, who courageously shares her personal experience with postpartum depression. For a long time, she suffered in silence—believing she had to be strong and keep her pain hidden.
Through this heartfelt conversation, Alan reflects on the challenges she faced, the impact of unspoken suffering and the valuable lessons she learned along her journey. Her story sheds light on the importance of mental health awareness especially in communities where such topics are often stigmatized.
This episode offers an honest and compassionate space for mothers and listeners to better understand the emotional realities of postpartum depression.
Affirmation is one of my favorite to practice daily! Sharing positive words to heal, uplift and bring peace to your mind.
Podcast affirmation/erayo wanagsan oo niyada ku dhisayo.
Maskaxda and Healing is about mental health, healing and life struggles. Hoping this to be safe space to share, grow and feel understood inshallah
