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

Send in a question or comment via text.This week we're doing a special "no frills" edition of The Anxious Truth (just like the old days). I asked my Instagram audience for questions, and I'm here to do my best to answer them. If you're dealing with panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, health anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorder, you've probably asked yourself many of these same questions.I cover the most common questions about anxiety symptoms—heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, breathing difficulties—and explain why treating them as individual problems to solve actually keeps you stuck. We also tackle common questions about intrusive thoughts, including fears about insanity, self-harm, death, and never recovering.One of the biggest categories of questions revolves around control: How do I stop feeling this way? How do I quiet my mind? How do I prevent panic attacks? I explain the fundamental difference between acceptance-based approaches and control strategies, and why the f

Send in a question or comment via text.Anxiety that you cannot control, that keeps coming back, that you don't understand and are terrified of, will trick you into believing that something is really wrong. But what if that intense fear you experience—while absolutely real—is based on a prediction your brain is making that isn't actually true?In this episode, I speak with Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, neuroscientist and author of How Emotions Are Made and 7 1/2 Lessons About The Brain about how anxiety is constructed in the brain. Dr. Barrett explains the theory of constructed emotions and how your brain uses predictive processing to create your internal experience of fear and anxiety.In this conversation, we explore:How anxiety is constructed in the brain through predictive processing, not reactive circuitsWhy your brain's primary job is managing your "body budget" and how this relates to anxietyThe difference between your experience being real versus the prediction being accurateHow your

Send in a question or comment via text.If you're struggling with anxiety and searching for ways of calming your feelings, this episode is for you.I break down why the most popular strategies for calming your feelings - like using logic to talk yourself out of anxiety, trying to replace negative emotions with positive ones, attempting to control your body's responses, or avoiding triggers - often backfire when you're dealing with anxiety disorders.Drawing from mindfulness principles and acceptance-based therapy approaches, I explain a counterintuitive truth: calming your feelings often happens when you learn to be with difficult emotions rather than fighting them. Using the metaphor of a loving parent comforting a crying child, I explore how harsh judgment and control attempts often increase distress, while kind acknowledgment and acceptance can lead to genuine relief.You'll learn why calm follows capacity rather than control, and how developing the ability to tolerate and navigate through

Send in a question or comment via text.There's whole industry built around helping people feel good about feeling bad, and while validation has its place, this endless cycle of anxiety content might actually be keeping you stuck. In this episode, we explore how consuming validation-focused content can become a form of modern reassurance-seeking that maintains anxiety disorders rather than promoting recovery.We'll discuss the research showing that excessive reassurance-seeking provides immediate relief but leads to increased anxiety over time. You'll learn the difference between helpful validation and the validation trap, and why automatically turning to anxiety content when you feel uncomfortable might be functioning as a safety behavior.This episode covers the distinction between feeling understood and actually moving forward in recovery, how social media consumption patterns affect anxiety levels, and practical guidelines for consuming mental health content in ways that support rather than sa

Send in a question or comment via text.If you're struggling with anxiety disorders and constantly being told you need a positive mindset, stronger beliefs, and better motivation to recover, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down why these three concepts are tragically misunderstood and misapplied in anxiety recovery—and why they might actually be keeping you stuck.What You'll Learn:Why you can't just "decide" to believe in yourself or adopt a positive mindsetThe counterproductive fantasy that words will change how you think and feelWhy motivation follows action, not the other way aroundHow to work with your current negative beliefs instead of fighting themThe only "mindset" that actually matters in recoveryWhy it's normal (and okay) to doubt yourself and lack motivationEpisode Timestamps:[0:00 - 3:30] Introduction and why belief, mindset, and motivation advice often backfires[3:30 - 6:00] The fantasy that words will fix us and why we want to avoid difficult act

Send in a question or comment via text.Exposure for anxiety is the gold standard treatment for anxiety disorders, but most people get it wrong, especially when trying to use exposure without professional help. In this episode, we're breaking down why so many people struggle with exposure for anxiety and how to avoid the common traps that lead to frustration and giving up.If you've ever tried exposure therapy for panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, social anxiety, or health anxiety and felt like it wasn't working, this episode is for you. Learn the real science behind exposure, why it's supposed to be scary, and how to apply these principles correctly in your anxiety recovery journey.Key Topics & Timestamps:[02:57] What exposure for anxiety really is (and what it's not)[05:02] The internal experience vs. external triggers - why this matters[06:42] How exposure actually works: habituation vs. inhibitory learning[10:40] The foundational truth that makes exposure possible[14:00] Why exp

Send in a question or comment via text.For 25 years of my life, I struggled with panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, and depression. I was so anxious that I couldn't leave my house or be alone for more than a few minutes at a time. But last week, I finally did something I've wanted to do since I was 9 years old.In this episode, I share a personal story - not as a blueprint for your recovery, but as encouragement that anxiety recovery is possible. When I was in elementary school, a trip to the planetarium showed me what the night sky really looks like without light pollution. For decades, I dreamed of seeing that sky for real, but anxiety, fear, and often just being "too busy" (this is dumb) kept from doing that.Last week, I drove seven hours from Long Island to an international dark sky site in Pennsylvania. For someone who once couldn't drive 60 seconds without having a panic attack, this was significant. I went into the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone service, to finally see wha

Send in a question or comment via text.This week on The Anxious Truth, we're talking about what happens when a problem solving mind sees itself as a problem to solve.Your mind is an incredible problem-solving machine - it's what sets humans apart and has helped us thrive for thousands of years. But when that same problem-solving ability turns inward and starts trying to "fix" your own thoughts, emotions, and internal experiences, things can go very wrong very quickly.If you're stuck in cycles of overthinking, constantly trying to figure out your anxiety, or exhausting yourself attempting to solve feelings that aren't meant to be solved, this episode is for you. We'll explore how the same mental abilities that help us navigate the world can trap us when they're aimed at our own internal experiences.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction - When problem solving becomes the problem01:54 How the mind forms relationships and connections between experiences03:09 When problem solving le

Send in a question or comment via text.I get asked about medication every single day. Can you get better without it? Is it necessary? What's the best one? Is it cheating to take medication?Today I'm explaining why I don't answer these questions - and why you should be cautious about content creators who do.In this episode, I cover:The three main reasons mental health content creators shouldn't give medication adviceWhy personal beliefs and autonomy matter more than you might thinkThe countless variables that make medication decisions incredibly complexWhy your recovery journey changes over time (and so do your needs)What qualifications actually matter when it comes to psychiatric medicationsA better approach to getting the medication support you needThe reality is this: There are too many personal, medical, cultural, and lifestyle factors that go into medication decisions for any podcaster, YouTuber, or social media creator to give you meaningful advice. Even as a therapist specializing in

Send in a question or comment via text.How do real anxiety therapists apply mindfulness principles when working with real anxiety clients in real therapy sessions? Let's check out part two of my chat with therapists Lauren Rosen and Joanna Hardis. We all make heavy use of the principles of mindfulness in our practices, and in our daily lives.What you'll learn in this episode:Why "being present" isn't about feeling calm or peacefulThe concept of being "aggressively present" when anxiety strikesHow mindfulness is really attention training, not relaxation trainingWhy meditation for anxiety is like going to the gym for your attentionThe difference between facts and the meaning we make of factsPractical ways to interrupt anxiety spirals in the momentWhy you can't just decide to be mindful only during panic attacksKey takeaways:Mindfulness in anxiety treatment isn't gentle - it's about slamming on the brakes when your mind races toward catastrophic conclusionsThe go

Send in a question or comment via text.What happens when three anxiety specialists get together to talk practically about how they use mindfulness in anxiety treatment? This week on The Anxious Truth, we find out.I'm joined by Lauren Rosen, who practices in Los Angeles specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders, and Joanna Hardis from Cleveland, also an expert in treating OCD, anxiety, and anxiety disorders. Together, we break down how mindfulness in anxiety treatment actually works in real therapy sessions - not the Instagram version, but the practical, sometimes messy reality of applying these principles with actual anxious clients.We tackle the biggest misconceptions about mindfulness (spoiler: it's not about achieving a quiet mind), discuss why it's often the "hardest sell" in therapy despite being incredibly effective, and demonstrate real techniques through live role-play. You'll hear us work through the difference between being "neck up" versus "neck down,&qu

Send in a question or comment via text.If you've reached the point of declaring "I've tried everything and nothing works for my anxiety," this episode is specifically for you. Many anxiety sufferers fall into this trap and conclude they're uniquely broken or have a special form of anxiety that's resistant to recovery.As both a therapist and someone who personally recovered from panic disorder and agoraphobia, I'll explain why this frustrating experience happens. You'll discover why commonly-tried control and avoidance strategies can provide temporary relief but ultimately strengthen anxiety's grip on your life.I'll break down the fundamental flaw in these approaches using a simple sailing metaphor: if you're trying to reach London from New York by sailing west, the problem isn't your sailing technique—it's your direction.This episode offers a shift in perspective about what actually gives you a fighting chance at lasting recovery. Instead of sea

Send in a question or comment via text.Do you find yourself running from difficult emotions or trying desperately to control them? Many people with anxiety disorders develop a deep fear of their own emotions, believing they're too intense or unbearable to experience fully. In this episode of The Anxious Truth, Drew is joined by therapist Joanna Hardis to explore the concept of "emotional allowability" – learning to coexist with our emotions rather than fighting against them.They discuss why trying to control emotions is ultimately futile, how the stories we tell ourselves about emotions cause more suffering than the emotions themselves, and practical steps for becoming more comfortable with the full range of emotional experiences. Whether you struggle with panic, anxiety, OCD, or simply find yourself fearing emotions, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be human and how to free yourself from the exhausting cycle of emotional resistance.No quick fixes or magic s

Send in a question or comment via text.Navigating driving anxiety with exposure therapy—but not how you might think. In this episode, Drew Linsalata (therapist, author, and former anxiety sufferer) challenges common misconceptions about addressing driving anxiety. Learn why the feeling is the exposure, not the driving itself, and discover how interoceptive and imaginal exposures can help without ever starting your car. Drew explains why pulling over or listening to music isn't avoidance if you're still experiencing anxiety, clarifies what true avoidance looks like, and emphasizes that recovery is about learning from each experience, not just driving farther. Whether you experience anxiety holding your keys, sitting in your driveway, or on the highway, this episode offers a practical, acceptance-based approach to driving anxiety that breaks down exactly what exposure therapy means in this context. You'll learn why small steps count, what constitutes real progress, and how to shift your focus fro

Send in a question or comment via text.When struggling with chronic anxiety or anxiety disorders, our instinct is often to search for ways to control, manage, or eliminate our symptoms. But what if that approach is actually keeping us stuck?This week we're looking at the fundamental difference between acceptance-based strategies and control/management-based approaches to anxiety recovery. Drawing from both research evidence and real-world experiences of anxiety sufferers, we'll explain why acceptance consistently produces better long-term outcomes than trying to control our internal experiences.You'll learn:The critical distinction between externally-generated stress and internally-generated anxietyWhy popular "anxiety hacks" and nervous system regulation techniques often backfire for disordered anxietyWhat acceptance actually means (and what it doesn't)The paradox of how accepting anxiety can ultimately lead to feeling less anxiousWhy it's difficult to combine acceptance an

Send in a question or comment via text.In this no-frills episode of The Anxious Truth, I'm tackling common questions about anxiety sent in by you, the listeners. No fancy production today - just real talk about real anxiety concerns.We're diving into: 00:00 - Introduction 00:58 - Emetophobia (fear of vomiting) - what it is and how it's typically addressed 06:12 - Nocturnal panic attacks - why they're jarring and how to handle them 11:24 - Is focusing on breathing a distraction or helpful technique? 14:45 - The meta-problem of ruminating about rumination 18:20 - External sources of anxiety in our tumultuous world22:06 - The fear of becoming suicidal against your will - a surprisingly common anxiety concern27:40 - Why focusing on specific anxious thoughts misses the bigger pictureAs someone who lived through panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, and depression, I'm sharing both professional and personal perspectives on these challenging issues. Remember - recovery isn't about eliminati

Send in a question or comment via text.This week we're looking at why the anxious fear that bothers you most is NOT special - and why that's actually good news for your recovery.After receiving countless messages asking me to address specific fears (passing out, heart attacks, going insane), I've noticed a pattern: everyone thinks their particular anxiety is unique, more dangerous, or requires special treatment.Here's the reality: while your fear feels incredibly real and disturbing, all anxiety disorders follow similar patterns. Your anxiety isn't special because:Everyone with anxiety believes their fear is "the worst one"All anxiety disorders use the same mechanisms to keep you stuckThe same recovery principles apply regardless of your specific fearWhat makes anxiety "irrational" isn't that these fears are impossible - many feared events do happen in real life. It's how the fear is applied: persistently, disproportionately, and in ways that disrupt your

Send in a question or comment via text.When anxiety hits, how do you know what to do? This week on The Anxious Truth we're exploring how your personal values can guide your choices in anxious moments. Tune in to learn practical ways to identify and connect with your values. This can inform more productive responses when anxiety gets triggered.For full show notes on this episode:https://theanxioustruth.com/311Support The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. Other ways to support my work like buying a book or signing up for a low cost workshop can be found on my website. None of this is never required, but always appreciated! Interested in doing therapy with me? For more information on working with me directly to overcome your anxiety, follow this link.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 pod

Send in a question or comment via text.How to Accept Anxiety: Opening Up to New OptionsIn this episode, we explore the second component of the ACT Triflex framework for anxiety acceptance: opening up to new possibilities. Learn why considering options when triggered—even without knowing what to do next—is a crucial step in recovery.Key Points:Understanding the ACT Triflex framework for anxiety acceptanceWhy mindfulness is essential for breaking automatic responsesHow psychological flexibility develops through small moments of choiceThe paradox of opening up to new optionsWhy confusion can actually be a sign of progressDownload A Free Guided Mindful Acceptance Exercisehttps://learn.theanxioustruth.com/practical-mindfulness-in-anxiety-recoveryFull Show Notes On This Episodehttps://theanxioustruth.com/310Support The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. Other ways to support my work like buying a book or signing up for a low cost workshop can be foun

Send in a question or comment via text.HOW DO I ACCEPT ANXIETY?!?!?!?!Let's start a three-part series on accepting anxiety using the ACT Tri-flex framework. As both a therapist and former anxiety sufferer, I'm going to break down the crucial first practical step of getting present and what it really means in a practical way.KEY POINTS:Why there are no "steps" to accepting anxietyThe difference between "doing mode" and "being mode"What mindfulness actually means in anxiety recoveryHow to develop nonjudgmental awarenessWhy automatic reactions aren't truly automaticQUOTES FROM THE EPISODE: "Accepting anxiety is about dropping out of doing and into being." "We are essentially judging, evaluating, and resisting machines all day long." "There is no difference between automatically reaching for an ice pack when anxious and automatically liking or disliking the weather."RESOURCES MENTIONED:ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)Dr. Russ Harris