That Anxiety Guy - Straight Talk And Help With Anxiety, Panic And Agoraphobia

Send in a question or comment via text.Sleep Anxiety and Insomnia: A Success Story Sleep anxiety and insomnia are big topics in the community surrounding this podcast.  My friend Ande Lyons struggled with sleep and tons of anxiety around sleep for many many years.  She was gracious enough to stop by the podcast this week to talk about how learning to let go of the ritualization and distorted beliefs about her sleep changed everything. For full show notes on this episode: https://theanxioustruth.com/231 --- My books, social, and other links: https://theanxioustruth.com/links Support The Anxious Truth: https://theanxioustruth.com/support Music Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission) https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic rela

Send in a question or comment via text.Anxiety Recovery Program - Is The Anxious Truth One Of Those???Is The Anxious Truth an anxiety recovery program?  Does this podcast, the books I write, and all the content I create describe a program or method for recovery? Can you follow things step by step to know exactly what to do when anxious or afraid and how to feel better?  This is something I am asked all the time, so is The Anxious Truth an anxiety recovery program?It is. And it isn't. How's that for a vague answer?For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/230---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacem

Send in a question or comment via text.Demanding to create positive emotional states on demand is common misguided strategy that many fall into during recovery. While often we fear emotions because they turn into fear so quickly, we can also demand that we should be able to experience positive emotional states when we want to.  When we do this, we are generally trying to achieve a few basic goals: We are trying to escape the emotional state that we fear and hate by replacing it with a positive emotional state. We are attempting to eradicate negative states like sadness because we believe that we should always "choose happiness" or some such nonsense. We think that we are incapable of "handling" negative emotions or that they will automatically lead to some form of disaster or catastrophe. We are afraid that if we do not experience positive emotional states in given situations, that something is wrong with us.Let’s talk about this today on episode 228 of The Anxious Truth!For full show note

Send in a question or comment via text.Even when we work with a therapist, listen to podcasts, watch videos, and read books, some parts of the recovery process remain completely our responsibility. There are recovery things that other people cannot do for us. We’re responsible for: Showing up and being an active participant in recovery Being consistent in the work we do Finding and displaying courage when we need to Remaining willing and open to the process and the experiences we have to have as part of the processLet’s talk about this today on episode 227 of The Anxious Truth!For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/227---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Dis

Send in a question or comment via text.How Does Exposure Work For Anxiety? Habituation vs Inhibitory LearningWe know about exposure. Going toward the thing we fear rather than trying to avoid it, escape from it, or engineer life so that it is never “triggered”. We know that exposure is en effective tool when it comes to anxiety disorders. But how does it actually work?  Why does it sometimes only work halfway?  Why does it sometimes not last?  What is habituation?  What is inhibitory learning?  Let's get geeky with it this week!For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/226---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or

Send in a question or comment via text.Many people dealing with anxiety disorders experience problems sleeping from time to time. Many anxious people also wind up stuck in mental loops where they obsess about sleep and worry excessively about not sleeping and not sleeping "properly".  This can result in a few common themes that revolve around disastrous feared outcomes associated with sleep or sleep distrubances."If I don't sleep enough, I can't heal and will never get better!""If I don't sleep enough, I will seriously harm my body and get very sick or die!""If I don't sleep enough, my anxiety will go through the roof!"Let's examine these three common sleep-related anxiety themes this week.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/225---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://

Send in a question or comment via text.Everyone loves a good success story.  Katie's story certainly qualifies! When I first met Katie she was crippled with fear, riddled with anxiety and panic, and generally spending her time on the floor with a fan blowing trying to calm down.  Now she's living her life and even traveling solo to Europe multiple times. What a difference 18-24 months can make!Go Katie!For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/224---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the ho

Send in a question or comment via text.This week I'm joined by therapist and author Jennifer Swantowski as she shares her ongoing experience with benzodiazepine withdrawal and anxiety.  Jennifer is the author of "The Waiting Room" a most excellent book that anyone dealing with this challenge will find useful and inspiring.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/223---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the host or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoeducation

Send in a question or comment via text.This week on the podcast we're talking about the difference between a survival mindset and a defiant mindset when it comes to anxiety, panic, and fear.Like it or not, we all have an anxiety mindset.  We have a framework or a conceptualization of our anxiety situation. We formulate a platform that we stand on when it comes to anxiety.  This influences how we interact with anxiety, fear, and discomfort. Your mindset is formed over time based on your experiences, how you interpret them, and your beliefs about yourself and the world in general. Your anxiety mindset dictates to some extent how you approach anxiety when it makes an appearance.  For full show notes on this episode:theanxioustruth.com/222---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and w

Send in a question or comment via text.Flying AnxietyIt's a thing. This is not the same as fear of flying.  In this episode of The Anxious Truth we're talking about flying anxiety - being afraid to fly because of your anxiety issues.  This is a topic I've been asked to cover for quite some time, so let's get to it!For full show notes on this episode:theanxioustruth.com/221---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the host or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoeducational purposes

Send in a question or comment via text.I am asked all the time if it is OK to use safe people when doing exposures or facing anxiety challenges.  Let's do our best to answer that question.We'll define the term "safe person" then explore situations where use of a safe person is perfectly fine. Then we'll look at situations where we must leave our safe people behind to go it alone for full and lasting recovery.For full show notes on this episode:theanxioustruth.com/220---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between y

Send in a question or comment via text.Many people in our community worry about the long term health effects of chronic anxiety.  For some this is concern that pops up from time to time. For others, this can become an obsession and  the primary driver of anxiety.  Regardless of which situation you are in, we can acknowledge that the question is a reasonable one.  This is a thing that we are justified in expressing concern about.  Today we need to take a look at why concern may be warranted but going into complete freak out mode is not.For full show notes on this episode:theanxioustruth.com/219---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a repl

Send in a question or comment via text.Sometimes podcasts like this one can become soothing rituals, safety devices, and crutches in your recovery. While it might seem crazy for a podcaster to warn you against listening to his podcast, it's not in your best recovery interests to rely on crutches for too long.  So stick with me, because there's a method to my madness and we examine this important concept in recovery.For full show notes on this episode:theanxioustruth.com/218---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and t

Send in a question or comment via text.This week we have ten more of the most commonly asked questions about anxiety and recovery. Tune in as we tackle the following questions and issues: Is recovery possible even if I've suffered for many years? What if I don't have panic attacks and just feel anxious all day? How can I drive during a panic attack?  Its not safe What if I have a real medical condition? How do you accept anxiety or surrender to it? What exposures can I do to get ready for ....? Does this method work if I have trauma? I'm accepting!  Why am I still anxious?!?! I'm doing exposures and doing things but it's not working!  Why? How do I deal with a setback?If you have not listened to part 1 of the frequently asked questions series in episode 216, check that one out too!For full show notes on this episode:theanxioustruth.com/217---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Cre

Send in a question or comment via text.This week we're answering ten of the questions about anxiety and recovery that are most often asked in our community. Tune in as we tackle the following questions and issues: Am I fully recovered and do I experience anxiety or panic any more? Is full recovery possible? Can you recover without medication? This is all easier said than done, Drew! How can you be sure that this really is just anxiety? How can you be brave and face anxiety without running? Do you need to find the root cause of my panic attacks to get better? Why don’t I talk about nutrition or diet or supplements? Why do you need a recovery plan? Any tips for ….?Tune in next week for part two when we'll tackle ten more of the most common questions about anxiety and anxiety recovery.For full show notes on this episode:theanxioustruth.com/216---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow

Send in a question or comment via text.There's no podcast episode this week but I wanted to remind everyone that every episode I've ever recorded is on my website for your consumption.  Browse, listen, and read show notes for each old episode here:https://theanxioustruth.com/listenYou can also search all the old episodes by using the search tool in the menu on my website, so check it out!We're back on July 20 with new episodes.  There's a ton of good stuff coming up, so I'll see you then.  Thank you as always for your support!---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxio

Send in a question or comment via text.Being afraid that you MIGHT harm yourself or commit suicide even though you have no desire or intention of doing that is a very common fear in our community.  Today I was joined by OCD and anxiety specialist Kimberley Quinlan who stopped by the podcast to help me address this scary and sensitive topic that I know is important to many listeners.Please remember that a podcast is not therapy nor a substitute for therapy or a suitable crisis management tool.  If you ever find yourself in a truly dangerous situation, reach out for immediate in-person help.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/215---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always app

Send in a question or comment via text.You don’t have to recover.  Nobody, including me, should force you or shame you into getting better.  In the end, you have full control over the choices you make and you are free to make whatever choices you want to make based on what you think is best for you.  Only you get to decide whether the things I say on this podcast are right for you, and that should always be respected.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/214---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and t

Send in a question or comment via text.Accepting that you are responsible for your own recovery leads to empowerment and puts you in a position of strength.  But often responsibility is confused with blame or fault, which can lead us into bad places that we don’t need to visit.  Let’s talk about that in this week’s episode of The Anxious Truth.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/213---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the host or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoed

Send in a question or comment via text.Spirituality. How does it factor into the recovery process?  What even is it?  How do we define it?  How does it relate to religion and faith?  How do those factor into recovery? All great questions that I have not paid enough attention to.  This week on The Anxious Truth UK psychotherapist and bestselling author Joshua Fletcher stops by for a great chat about spirituality, its many forms, and the roles it can play in anxiety recovery.  We need to spend more time on this topic from time to time, and we will!For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/212---My books, social, and other links:https://theanxioustruth.com/linksSupport The Anxious Truth:https://theanxioustruth.com/supportMusic Credit: AfterGlow by Ben Drake (with permission)https://bendrakemusic.comSupport The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. This is never required, but always appreciated!Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is no