The Anxious Truth - A Panic, Anxiety, and Mental Health Podcast

The way you talk about your anxiety matters.  More than you think. Are you always speaking passively and just describing how you feel? Are you worried about what people will think about your anxiety? Do you fear that you are boring them, alienating them, or pushing them away when you discuss your anxiety?   Are you ready to adopt a more constructive active voice that reflects ongoing recovery? Thi...

If you’re suffering with health anxiety – no matter how severe – Sarah’s story will inspire you and give you hope. Join me as we look at Sarah’s journey into completely out of control health anxiety, then back out to a place of calm and peace when it comes to her health and her state of being. Thank you so much to Sarah for taking the time to share her story! My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/l...

My friend Andrew has gone from "contented agoraphobic" to well down the path to full recovery and was nice enough to take some time to share his story. We talk about how he got to where he is today, what the future holds, and we we answer some questions asked in our Facebook discussion group. Thank you Andrew! My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow...

"Drew, are you cured?  Do you ever have panic attacks?"  I get this question all the time.  The answer is ... I can still experience a panic attack now and then.  So come listen to me experience near panic on-air in this episode.  Then Billy and I answer more  questions from the Facebook forum. My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Be...

Billy and I discuss the relationship between stress and anxiety and why stress doesn’t have to automatically become anxiety and fear. Afterward we answer a slew of great questions from the Facebook discussion group. This is a long one so grab your favorite beverage and make some time to listen.  :-) My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Dra...

If you have someone in your life that you care about that’s dealing with serious anxiety issues to the point where they can’t leave home, or be alone, or work, or attend school, etc … then this episode is aimed at you. Holly and I talk about the nature of anxiety disorders like panic disorder and agoraphobia, what they are and are not, and the general course of action required to overcome these pr...

If you have someone in your life that you care about that’s dealing with serious anxiety issues to the point where they can’t leave home, or be alone, or work, or attend school, etc … then this episode is aimed at you. Holly and I talk about the nature of anxiety disorders like panic disorder and agoraphobia, what they are and are not, and the general course of action required to overcome these pr...

Overcoming anxiety problems means making a good recovery plan and executing it.  In this episode I'm joined by my friend Billy from Anxiety United. We discuss the basics of a good recovery plan including breaking things into small steps, the importance of repetition, and changing how you think and talk about your anxiety problems. We also answer questions from the Facebook group. Comments and...

A discussion of how anxiety disorders can impact sex, intimacy and relationships in general with licensed therapist and certified sex therapist Leslie Gustafson.  Leslie and I talk about the general approach to this problem, some of the nuances, and  – surprise – we talk about how action oriented behavioral therapies are so effective in addressing not only the sex problem, but the anxiety disorder...

At some point in this process, you MUST take a leap of faith.  All the talking and questioning and reading and learning must give way to actually leaping off that cliff - fully surrendering to and accepting your anxiety symptoms.  Its terrifying, we know, but in this episode Holly and I talk about how we MUST leap to finally learn that we will be OK.  Without the leap of faith, real progress will...

Billy and I discuss anxiety and panic related to dining out, restaurants, bars, pubs and social situations. We talk about how to approach it, steps that can be taken to overcome this problem, and how learning cognitive techniques for thought changing can be so helpful with this problem. Comments, questions and topic suggestions are always welcomed! My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/...

In this episode Billy and I discuss driving anxiety, the fear of having a panic attack while driving, and what to do about it. We talk about specific steps that can be taken to address this fear and overcome it through exposure and cognitive restructuring. Comments and questions welcomed as always! My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Drak...

Lets to clarify the focus of my content on anxiety disorders as opposed to just being anxious about things. A quick chat about the difference and why my approach is what it is. I briefly discuss different classes of therapies and how they apply to each situation. My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Drake Collective.  Used with permission....

One of the tools I hear people talk about often is “positive self talk”. Let me tell you why this is not a good thing when you’re dealing with high anxiety and panic. As usual, there’s no sugar coating in this one. :-) My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Drake Collective.  Used with permission.  Find Ben Drake on Facebook or at bendrakemu...

Jackie suffered from panic attacks and anxiety for years until she had a “lightbulb moment” and turned the corner. Join me as I chat with Jackie about how she went from the depths of anxiety to a normal life. Thanks for sharing, Jackie! My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Drake Collective.  Used with permission.  Find Ben Drake on Faceboo...

This is what nobody wants to hear when it comes to overcoming anxiety and panic related problems, because its the hard part. There’s a large scale commitment/decision you MUST make before you can start making real lasting forward progress. If you can’t make this choice at the macro level, you’ll struggle with consistently making good choices day-by-day as you handle your anxiety problems. My Links...

When panic strikes, we have a critical moment of decision. What will you do? How will you handle it? What is your plan? The decision we make at that moment is impactful in so many ways both short and long term.  Accept how you feel and panic productively and its over quickly so you can get on with your day and your life in general.  React in fear and the outcome will be completely different.  Whic...

This is a topic I get asked about all the time, so lets talk about what to do when your anxiety has a negative impact on your relationships. How can you approach family members and friends to get them on board with what you’re up against? My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Drake Collective.  Used with permission.  Find Ben Drake on Faceb...

Holly and I discuss chapter 8 of the Claire Weekes book "Hope and Help For Your Nerves". Dr. Weekes explains agoraphobia and walks us through how to approach it for best result. Holly and I spend a while talking about how we overcame agoraphobia and what difference its made in our lives. My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Drake...

Holly and I discuss chapter 7 of Hope and Help For Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes. This chapter really focuses on understanding that you are afraid of how you feel, and that focusing on sensations and symptoms is counter productive. Rather, focus on how you react to those sensations and symptoms. Don't add what she calls "second fear" to that initial flash of "first fear&quot...

Social media and the Internet have had a major impact on those of us with anxiety disorders. In this episode Billy and I discuss different ways the Internet has influenced anxiety issues. We look at positive impacts, negative impacts, and pitfalls that should be avoided. My Links https://theanxioustruth.com/links Intro/Outro Music:  "Afterglow" by The Ben Drake Collective.  Used with per...

Holly and I return for the next chapter of our series discussing "Hope and Help For Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes. In this episode we discuss chapter 6, which is probably the lynchpin around which Dr. Weekes built her work. Learning to TRULY accept your anxiety symptoms and to TRULY believe that they are not dangerous will allow you to relax into your symptoms rather than fighting ag...

Lets take on our first 30 day exposure challenge. For the next 30 days, start by making a short list of activities you find challenging from an anxiety standpoint. Then, start working on those items. Feel free to talk about your progress or post pics/videos in the Facebook group. We're all there to encourage each other and cheer each other on! Billy and I talk about the nuts and bolts of brea...

"Get busy living, or get busy dying." At some point in the journey to overcome anxiety issues, concepts and techniques and tips and tricks fall by the wayside and it becomes a matter of desire and drive and courage and just wanting to improve your life. You can read and listen and learn and discuss, but at some point you have to find that spark deep in your gut and get moving. In this ep...

I've been asked many times over the years how bad my anxiety used to be. Yes, it was probably as bad as yours. In this episode of our Anxiety 101 series, I'll tell you all about it. Everything I've been through. The symptoms I've dealt with. The issues I've had to resolve. The good news is that if I can do it, you can do it! Questions? Comments? Lets hear them. My Links ht...