Anxiety Road Podcast

I know that some of you are in a really bad spot.    You're looking for an answer, a short way out of your problems and, and your predicaments.    Some of you openly declare that you don't have time for this thing and what it dealt with quick, fast, and in a hurry.   I do understand. I was in your shoes too. There was so much, I didn't know about having a mental health.   There are people and companies that want to take advantage of that ignorance.    There are others that really don't understand that being drowsy doesn't truly help when you are dealing with a mental health condition.    You have to look at nutrition, environmental stressors, possibly past trauma.    Are you lonely?  Grieving a lost? Or knowing that this isn't the life you envisioned for yourself?   No one medication can fix that kind of hurt and pain.   Medication can help for a limited time. But it has to be the right stuff for you and your body.   In this episode, a look at over the counter medication, and specifically antihistamines.   I

Denial is not good or bad. It is a defense mechanism. When you don't want to deal with the scary or hard thing. Especially when it seems that thing is so big. So dangerous. Humans will do all kinds of things to avoid pain. Including accepting a small amount of pain to delay the bigger potential pain. Doesn't have to be real. Doesn't even have to have a direct connection to you. In this episode, a look at denial. Resources Mentioned:  The ABCS of Coping with Anxiety: Using CBT to Manage Stress and Anxiety, James Cowart, Ph.D from Crown House Publishing. You can also find it on Amazon and other book vendors. Taking Control of Anxiety: Small Steps for Getting the Best of Worry, Stress, and Fear by Bret A. Moore,    Living with Anxiety, a 48-page PDF from MentalHealth.org.uk 20 Common Defense Mechanisms Used for Anxiety from VeryWell Mind.   If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Disclaimer:  Links

This podcast has always talked about treatment options and resources. I always will.    And sometimes that includes talking about uncomfortable things. Or boring things, things so boring they make your eyes glaze over.     This is definitely true cuz I have been known to go long winded. But if this helps you in your treatment process or understand possible resources process, I'll do it.    Because that episode that you cut off after four minutes might be the one you come back to a year from now. It happens.   My intent is to be respectful. I might slip up on that. If I don't catch it in the editing process then I will have to own up to it. I have my own opinions and biases.     My intent is to be informative with viable, and authoritative sources. You can agree with them or disagree. That is your choice.   I need to do this because someone I don't know needs to know this information. If you don't need it or think it is a waste of time, then tune out.    In this episode, some news items about accessing treatme

No sane or crazy person would.  But that doesn't stop the market place and the uninformed from saying stupid stuff.  This is a pebble in the road about what is depression. I'm thinking if I make enough pebbles, I'll get an episode out. It is hard when you have to fight for every single word.    There are people writing articles, books and podcasts. Many of those people want you to spend money on thinking yourself out of the diagnosed version of depression.    It doesn't work like that.    One way to think about depression is being enveloped into a fog life of no highs, no lows just gray.    Everything is gray. And that voice in the head that is telling you it will never get better because you aren't worth getting better.   And you have to fight through that fog and that awful voice just to stay alive and prove it wrong.    There are people you don't know who are doing wonderful things but they are fighting through the fog too. Some of them have stated they have the condition. Others keep it on the down low.

There are going to be a lot of tips, suggestions and survival posts about dealing with mental health problems the holidays. I don't normally do it because everyday to me is a struggle.  Some days it is very minor. Other days, it is a big deal.   And then there is navigating life problems during a time of enforced hypocritical joy and happiness.   The episode is about acknowledging the feelings. It is looking at what we can do even if there isn't anything we can do about the triggering situation.    Yes, I have "issues."   Here is the thing. They are my issues. I get to say to myself, "I am not feeling well. I don't like this. Corrections need to be made."   Long time listeners know that I have dental phobia. I have to go to the dentist. No choice. No wiggle room or discussion. That makes me more anxious.   I have to make decisions on how I need to do this that is safe for me. I have to let go of that which I cannot control.    I can control who does the treatment. Knowing my options. Is it right for me? If so

Last time I gave a very brief description of misdiagnosis and an example or two. This is a follow-up to last week’s pebble in the road.    If you have a health, medical phobia or descriptions of medical conditions make you anxious, you might want to skip this episode. If you have cardiophobia, stop, do not go on, this is not the episode for you.   Honestly, I got overwhelmed with the number of similarities between mental and physical health issues.   Talk about information overload. So I thought about it and decided to break it up in manageable parts. Why didn’t I think about this last week?   Because my tendency is to want to give the whole pizza pie instead of a slice. Except it isn’t pizza pie but lots and lot of words. It can be a bit much.   Anyway, this time a quick look at the physical illnesses that can mimic anxiety symptoms.   Resources Mentioned:  CNET video on a possible new treatment for severe depression via a brain implant.    2015 Psychiatric Times, Managing Anxiety in the Medically Ill.    D

This is a quick pebble in the road about misdiagnosis. Ran out of time and have too much to talk about to do a half ass job. So think of this is just a short introduction to the topic of misdiagnosis.  Misdiagnosis can mean a couple of things. Like having a physical health problem but your doctor thinks it is an anxiety condition.   Or you are treated for a physical problem and it really is an anxiety condition.   Or you hit the trifecta of having a physical problem and you also have an anxiety condition.   But wait, there is more. You could have a food allergy. You might be going through hormonal shifts (hello menopause!)   Or a medication you are taking over the counter is producing a side effect.   I could go on and on but like I said, I want to find a way to present the information without overwhelming or yakking on for too long. I'll figure it out.    Hopefully. Resources Mentioned:  Determining Cause and Effect With Anxiety and Hemophilia by Shellye Horowitz via Hemophilia New Today      Never let th

This is the podcast sharing the medical, behavioral health, meditation/relaxation and x=the unknown treatment options for those of us on the anxiety condition or disorder spectrum.   Everything is a story. If you listen to enough marketing people, the story is what makes the sale. Craft a good story and then herd them doggies down the sales funnel to rake in the dollars.    That concept isn’t necessarily wrong but it is being seriously corrupted by the venal passions of the money obsessed.   Everything is a story. The story can help, hurt, heal or bring a sense of adventure. Sometimes all of it. And more. No amount of money can be more valuable than a story that heals and provides paths to understanding.   Which is why in this episode, a look at social anxiety disorder also known as social phobia. Through the fictional lens of Mr. Arthur "Boo" Radley.   Resources Mentioned:  From the National Institute of Mental Health, page and brochure to download Social Anxiety Disorder: More Than Just Shyness. On the Na

Hi folks, this is a pebble in the road about finding helpful aids for a better sleep. Being the anxious folks that we are, sleep is not always obtainable or consistent. Especially if you are living the chaotic life.   So there is this product called a Sleep Pod by a company called Hug Sleep. (I think, there may have been a name change) Oh, by the way this is not a sponsored or promotion product. Really more of my opinion about product that claims to help people sleep.   How to describe this thing. To me, it looks like is a giant snuggly body sock for sleeping.  So this is a quick look at the product. Resources Mentioned:  First off you might want to check out the original commercial for the product to see how it works. You can find it on YouTube.   There is a Freakin Reviews of the Sleep Pod, and he didn’t like it.   Fast Company has a review of the product and loved it.   Then there is a on Gizmodo, not so much.   If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Tre

I don't know if you have experienced this but either people are telling you that you are overthinking, underthinking or not thinking in the right way. There are reams of books about how to think the "right" way. Especially if you have an anxiety condition. And I know the depression folks catch double hell on it too.   And let's not forget that freak flag that get's waived when someone expresses and opinion as fact and then when you try to educate or provide sources they accuse you of not having critical thinking skills.   Or they really might not have a process to think critically. And they get pissed off that you do.   Critical Thinking has been used as a weapon or a savior when it comes to anxiety treatment treatment.   Most of the time by people who don't know jack about either one.   In my opinion.  The basic process isn't hard to understand.    The implementation depends on the person, your circumstances, education, and life experience.    Critical thinking is a way to evaluate information and make an i

There is a study reported by the medical journal The Lancet about the increase in levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic.  The first sentence in the report got me thinking.  Mental disorders are among the leading causes of the global health-related burden I have to look up the meaning of burden because I've never thought of my anxiety as a burden. A thorn, a pain in the ass, or at best, this thing that I have but not a burden. It has two meanings. a load, typically a heavy one. Or the main theme or gist of a speech, book, or argument.   The Lancet is a UK publication and I'm an American bringing other meaning to the words used to describe mental health issues.   At first, I took it as the world was burdened with people who have a mental health condition. Then I thought, maybe they mean the people that have a mental health condition that have the burden?   I might be wrong about this, but I think this is the UK's English way of expressing a thesis statement.    In this episode, a definition of

There are thinking people on the planet and that gives me some hope. I recently learned about turning a pot pie upside down on a plate or bowl.  This is some genius level thinking that I aspire, to but will never have it the way I want it.    Because the gravy part will seep down to the back of the lid or the top of the pot pie. Then, depending on how fast or slow you eat it, you got gravy and a crunchy lid.    It is also a willingness to see something differently.    F--k the absolutes. Ok we need a few of them but man, we need some mental lubrication that is non-toxic to the body.   In this episode, a short bit of verbiage about how tips may or may not help you and some fellow travelers on the road who really do know how you feel.   The short version is finding your form of acceptance. Adapting a tool or technique that could work for you and factor in some grace for handling what you are facing on the day to day.   It is a lot. Resources Mentioned:  Author and blogger Jenny Lawson knows a thing or two abou

This is just a quick pebble in the road about what happens to your brain if you drink booze to chill out or control your symptoms. Just a head's up, I did complete the longer version of the Serotonin episode. Has a bit more details and more context.

Well, I did manage to get it down from 20 minutes to about 12 minutes. Essentially the same but with more about specific foods you can eat, more resources and just a touch less snark. Resources Mentioned:  San Diego Union Tribune article about men ignoring their mental health issues.   The Dana Foundation is a non-profit that provides information about the brain and brain health for kids and adults. Has a good explanation of Neurotransmitters.    The Hormone Health Network is a website connected to The Endocrine Society, the world’s largest organization of endocrinologists, representing more than 18,000 physicians and scientists.    Endocrinologists look at the things that effect hormones and glands. Not only do they have a page about Serotonin, but they also have a page about the relationship between hormones and stress.   They also have a little something about  dark chocolate. 1 oz. a day will help mood, A1C levels, stress reduction and heart health.    The National Health Service in the UK has a post on

I was reading an article that said I should eat pineapple to increase my serotonin level.   I also seen other articles about kiwis, avocados and other foods.   In those articles you might find something about serotonin ability to calm you down.    Or to help with anxiety. Or depression.   This one got me a little twitchy. Because the article mentioned the pineapple should be inside of a sugar cake of delight.   This is like a person pointing to the ice cubes inside an alcoholic drink. And trying to convince themselves they are hydrating with water.     Which brings up the hackles in me about so-called superfoods.   The special formulas. And buzzwords on parade.   I think what ticked me off was the implication that the implication of a fruit inside of a sugar based cake becomes a healthy alternative. Posted is the short version because I wanted to say so much and it was coming in a twenty minutes.  I have weed whacking to do so this is the short, simplified version for those who think six minutes is all they c

This episode was inspired by my real life experiences. Of which I have a bunch of them.  So, so many of them. One of the things that I've learned it to not to be dragged down into a spiral.   I still have negative thoughts but I don't have to hug and kiss up on them. 97.4% of the time, it is just a thought. It isn't a measurement of my worth.    I am still in the remembering that thinking error are not me stage.   There are all kinds of thinking errors that can affect you mood or ways of your thinking existence. The overall name is Cognitive Distortion witch can involve about 15 different types of jacked up thinking.    The one I want to talk about today is All of Nothing Thinking. Also known as black or white thinking.   No matter what you call it, it is thinking in extreme. Usually involves reinforcing that you have failed. That you aren't worthy or that once again, you did not perform with absolute perfection.   Which is probably not true. Or just a little bit true. Or it can be true in one situation but

Grounding is a way to help you calm down. To get a grip on whatever caused your symptoms flare up. Meditation beads could be a way for you to have a tactile or touch means of centering yourself.   You can use it to remember an affirmation, incorporate it into your breathing practice, or to remember that you are not defined by a random thought. You are a person in the here and now.   There are all sorts of meditation bracelets in the marketplace. There always has been.  The Catholic rosary, Mala beads, Reiki meditation bracelets.    Some people call them worry beads. You name it and somebody has a beaded bracelet with a specific meaning attached to it.    In this episode, a look at some of the ways a beaded bracelet could help you with meditation or symptom control.   Resources Mentioned:  Helpguide.org has a page on Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief where they explain about the different grounding techniques. There is also a link on that page to a recording to help you practice deep breathing meditati

In this week's episode is a look at some of the reasons why we need to look at taking medication. What is the reason? Number one has to be symptom management and control.  Them SOB's have made me do things I'd never thought I'd do. Pour water on my head in a parking lot? Yep. And don't think that won't get folks attention. It will.    Being clear about taking or not taking medication is a process of education. You have to learn what the medication is, what it does for you, what effect it could have on the body?   Need to know what your options are what are the alternatives?    So, as I mentioned last week in the podcast, I'm trying out new things and approaches. I need to up my game. Be better.    So they say. They are probably right.    But I can't do everything when everybody wants me to.   I'm going to try to put out an episode each week. Hopefully. One of the ways for me to do that is alternative between shorter episodes and the long ones.    Not that I go that long. Cuz I don't.   But I think I want to m

This is the sixth year of the podcast. Nothing like I envisioned it would be. The podcast was inspired by a lot of things.   Many years ago, I went searching for a podcast to help me understand what was going on. I found one but the gentleman was ending the show because the anxiety of creating and producing was too much for him.   I found others that were created by doctors using medical language I didn’t understand.    Or ones selling books, cassettes for treatment. Or really pushing medication as the only option.   It took a long time, but I finally got what I needed; a therapist who supported my desire for a more expansive view of treatment. That is the episode with other stuff thrown in as well.   If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  American Sleep Association page on What is Sleep so much more information about the process. Join Scooter at the Sleep with Me podcast;

I'm still in vacation mode until September. One of the things I hoped I’ve emphasized in the podcast is that you should have a medical evaluation and diagnosis from a health care professional.   The symptoms for anxiety are very similar to other physical health conditions. Having a medical examination would help to take some of the load off your shoulders.    That is the topic of the show. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  For those folks having trouble going to sleep, there is Snoozecast.com. Fiction, non-fiction or whatever floats your boat.    There is also the long time champ of them all, LibriVox with hundreds of public domain audios that are free to download and listen. I recommend The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope, read by Andy Minter.   Mental Health America Screening Tool ADAA Screening Page - contains screening for a couple of anxiety conditions   Ca