Anxiety Road Podcast

In this podcast a look at resources that can help you figure out what to do with the decisions you'll need to make regarding your anxiety, panic or phobia condition.   If you're having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for immediate help: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Resources Mentioned:   Ottawa Hospital of Canada Personal Decision Guide - basic version that outlines t...

Lots to share in this episode. VR being used for exposure therapy, a commercial that features a person that has phobia and resources to learn about Agoraphobia.    Resources Mentioned:   NIH information sheet on stress reduction . LA Weekly Russell Simmons Yoga Studio Article   Virtually Better website   VR Project Information    MedLine Plus pages on the condition https://medlineplus.gov/ency/art...

Just a quick mention that there is no show this week due to the sudden soon to be deceased desktop hard drive. I'll be back next week provided I find the right screw driver.

A lesson from an escalator and resources to help you find a soothing place or relaxation moment.   Resources Mentioned:   NIH information sheet on stress reduction . From Beyond Blue Australia, inforgraphic on Relaxation Techniques   Helpguide.org detailed page on stress management .  Helpguide.org page on 12 Ways to Use Music For Stress Reduction . CC Village at Buffalo Simple page on Stress Mana...

In the news, CA SB 562 is a proposal to have single payer healthcare in California and two hardware/apps for breathing and symptom management.   Resources Mentioned: Gothamist interview with Dr. Barbara Fisher about election anxiety and things you can do to re-center yourself in times of change.  Lena Dunham being interviewed by various media publications about her anxiety and depression condition...

This episode is about how both over the counter and prescription medication can affect your sexual responses. If you are taking an over the counter medication for insomnia you might be removing your ability to perform the horizontal mambo. Resources Mentioned: Anxiety Disorder Association of America - Fact and Statistics page. Consumer Reports article on taking over the counter sleep medication lo...

Special shout out to reducing your social media time. You don't need to sit in front of the funnel. Take a time out and do something in real space. And check out the resources below if you need tips on setting up your personal boundaries.   References Mentioned: IBM Research 5x5 with the possibility that an AI will diagnose certain mental health conditions. Choose Muse Meditation device http://www...

Agoraphobia is an intense fear and anxiety of being in places where it is hard to escape, or where help might not be available. Let talk about it in the open. Resources Mentioned: Peaceful Cuisine is a vegan cooking site but even if you are an omnivore you might find a meditative quality to the music and non-music meal assembly videos. You can also watch the videos on Ryoya's YouTube channel . The...

I have always found that knowledge, accurate information is the foundation for a good treatment plan. I want to reduce the fear with information. What you do about this information is up to you. Resources Mentioned:    A Better Way Speaker of the House Paul Ryan's website on alternative to ObamaCare/ACA A Conservative Approach to Better Health Care - John Kasich Health Affairs Blog  What Would Rep...

Some folks need the rough side of the path; it is what they know.  Per Wikipedia:  "Research into the hypoalgesic effect of swearing has shown that the use of profanity can help reduce the sensation of pain. This phenomenon is particularly strong in people who do not use such words on a regular basis." If this works for you there is a video and/or an app that might speak to your soul.   Resources...

For those folks with an anxiety disorder learning about conflict resolution is a two-fer, learning to being comfortable within ourselves.  to express what we want and need AND being able to navigate the wants and needs of other people. These are some of the resources that are accessible on the 'tubes. Resources Mentioned:  Scientific American article about the stagnation of mental health treatment...

This is a short episode due to the holidays and my inability to move out of Grouch mode. Ok, I'm not a total grouch, just the freaking music all the time.  Bah, humbug. The main point I wan to say take time for yourself, be kind to yourself and keep your anxiety tool kit handy.   

You know you have a problem with the symptoms. No question. But what is causing the symptoms? That takes a bit of detective work to find that out.  Resources Mentioned:  Anxiety BC Treatment Diagram on I Feel Really Anxious, What Should I Do?   Positively Coping with Health Conditions by the Canadian Consortium for Mental Healthcare Helpguide.org on Therapy for Anxiety Disorders http://www.helpgui...

It might not be quite ready for prime time but in this case I think you might want to get a head's up about this innovation in exposure therapy. And you can't talk about the future without understanding the present form of exposure therapy treatment.  Also a look at some of the goodies over at the ADAA site; i.e. webinars and podcasts. Resources Mentioned:  Nature.com journal of Nature Human Behav...

What causes a panic attack? Some say bio-chemistry, some say certain people are genetically pre-wired for a panic attacks. Some of the known causes could be from abuse, trauma, substance abuse, life changes or another health problem. In this episode, a quick review of panic attack symptoms, some grounding tools and a couple of things to do when you body muscles tense up. Speaking of tensing up, I'...

It was Howard the Duck that said Anticipation over Expectation = Zero.  And that is what you are going to have to remember if you have to deal with Anticipatory Anxiety. Stay in the here an now. That is challenging enough. You don't have to go looking for future trouble.    Resources Mentioned:   VeryWell.com has a page going into more detail about Anticipatory Anxiety   De-castastrophizing Worksh...

California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine, voters decided that recreational cannabis use is now legal. Kentucky shuts down two mental health facilities and a look at non-woo woo meditation music options.   Resources Mentioned:  CalmSound.com where you can sample the sound of the ocean at night. There are other sounds that might be equally as relaxing. Jason Shaw's Music at Audionautix   Jazz and...

This is a special episode for those of you having a profoundly bad day. It is a simple meditation to use when you are deep in symptoms, trouble or flat out trouble. It is a simple breathing exercise with some tips on how to get back to center or at least a tolerable state of being.   The foundation of the meditation was inspired by a quote from psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. You can learn more about...

In this episode what to look for in a therapist. Your goal is to find the person that has experience with anxiety, depression, trauma or phobias that align with your needs. I have some questions you need to ask and a look at a therapy hook up app called Talkspace.   References Mentioned: Anxiety and Depression Association of America Find a Therapist page Questions to Ask a Potential Therapist abou...

Self-medication is the practice of using a substance or resource to make you feel better or reduce your symptoms. It is one thing to take the edge off; it is another to go off the edge.  These are some things to think about if you practice self-medication.   Resources Mentioned:   Dual Diagnosis page on Self-Medication The Myths and Facts on Self-Medicating for Anxiety via Healthyplace.com   MedLi...

There is trickiness in the advertorial world. Be on the look out for freebie health magazines that want you to buy their products. Also a look that Constructive Living Therapy. Resources Mentioned: Constructive Living by David K. Reynolds Ph. D via a Kindle book, paperback or audio cassette. Sounds True Audio Recording of Constructive Living  There is an interview with Dr. Reynolds via an archive...

You as a health care consumer have to know what you are taking, the possible side effects and interactions with the foods you eat and other medications you have know that the good stuff does not necessarily come cheap or is high priced. There are resources you can use to help you make an informed decision.     Resources Mentioned: Johnny B. Truant's The Universe Doesn't Give A Flying Fuck About Yo...

These are five of my thoughts about some of the things to consider when making the choice about taking medication for your anxiety or panic disorder.   Resources Mentioned: ADAA page on Anxiety Medication HelpGuide.org page on Is Anxiety Medication Right for You ? National Institute of Health page on Mental Health Medications   Disclaimer: Links to other sites are provided for information purposes...

This is one is about anxiety and trauma with a real life example and one or two things that you can do to get an understanding about its effects on your condition. I did make a mistake in the episode, the Self Help Workbook is from the Department of Veteran Affairs, not the state of Virginia. This is what happens when you are sleep deprived.   Resources Mentioned:  SAMSHA page on Trauma and Violen...

Last week I mentioned the book by Elizabeth Vargas's entitled Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction.  This week, a closer look at the term Dual Diagnosis aka Comobidity.   Resources Mentioned:    National Alliance On Mental Illness Dual Diagnosis Fact Sheet DrugFacts: Comorbidity: Addiction and Other Mental Disorders Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Dua...