Anxiety Road Podcast

There is a video about a dentist joking about giving less medication to people not of her political persuasion. To her audience, I guess they found it funny.  There is a larger story than the dentist and the joke. I waited. I hoped someone would bring a non-political reason what the joke was bad, very bad and unprofessional.    For the record, there are million of us that have some form of dental anxiety or dental phobia.  We need the skills of a professional, qualified and compassionate dentist.   We are scared out of our skulls because we don't know what a few bad teeth yankers of the profession will do to us. Or we clearly remember what a few of them have done to us.   In this episode, a brief definition of dental anxiety and phobia and resources for you to empower yourself.    Resources Mentioned:  There is a website associated with the American Dental Association website called Mouth Healthy. It offer three tips on dealing with dental anxiety.  Cleveland Clinic page on what is dental phobia, the sym

This is a quick definition of fear, why it is an important emotion and two informational resources to help you learn more about. Fear is an emotional response to real or imaginary danger.    Your body enters into protection mode. It is not as some would describe it, a weakness or lack of backbone. You are in trouble and your body is helping you do deal with it.   When you understand what fear this can help you find the tools and skills needed to make healthy adjustments to your natural defense system. Those tools can be food or nutrition, therapy, exercise, education or other things you might not be aware of. Resources Mentioned:  For the TLDR folks, on the Psychology Today blog there is a page on the basics of fear. it talks about what it is, some of the causes and its relationship to phobias and social anxiety. The website Simple Psychology has an explainer page on The Psychology of Fear: Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, Treatment   Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support spec

I've done episodes about dietary supplements. I didn't take into account the ones sold at the gas station or corner store. People with an anxiety condition or disorder should be very careful about promises of herbal supplements treatment.    I don't want to be elitist here. There is bad stuff in U.S. pharmacies that do not work, known not to be effective or dangerous and yet still on sale. I have examples from Ethan Melillo. PharmD and Grant Harding, PharmD.   It is one thing to buy Slim-Jims from the gas station. I've bought water, two cans for three dollars then I get to the counter where the person looks at me like I'm less than dirt as he rings me up. Then I remember not to go back into that store for the next eight months or so.   I would never, ever purchase an herbal supplement from the gas station store, a convenience store or the 99 Cents or 150 Cents Store-ish variations.   You might decide otherwise. If you do want to risk it, pack a magnifying glass because you have to read the label.    What is

Living in a place with non-human beings can give you an appreciation of the unexpected. I've had encounters with possums, coyotes and skunks. Main skill is be aware of your surroundings, back up and give them a path to exit.   Haven't had a bear encounter yet. Do not want one either. Part of the inspiration of this episode is an old video of a man leaving his home, preoccupied on getting to work only to discover a big ole bear in his driveway.  This can cause most people a wee bit of fright.  That is the topic of this pebble in the anxiety road. Resources Mentioned:  On the Psychology Today blog is a post called Is Anxiety Psychological or Physical?   The National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) has a post from 2021 on Anxiety And Fear: What’s The Difference? There is an explanation of what is fear and anxiety, the symptoms and some ideas on how to process those experiences.   Emergency Hotline Resources   The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488

I had a flashback. What generated it was that I watched a video of a congress person telling his constituents that only the truly deserving should have access to free health care. Those that work are worthy. That is my understanding of what he said. I could be wrong. The example he gave was that a 28 year old person who refused to work. Once upon a time, I was truly ill. I had no savings. I owed bills. I couldn't work. The congress person would have deemed me unworthy.  Just like the Department of Health and Human Services did with the removal of LGBTQ+ access to the 988 suicide hotline. In this episode, what has happened and alternative hotline options. P.S. to the hot fingered. This is a mental health issue.  Resources Mentioned: The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.   Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat on

I can talk about intrusive thoughts. Doesn't mean I don't still have them. Because I do. Here is the thing. Not only is the intrusive thought false but it is repetitive. There are things and practices you can do to reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts. In this episode, a recent experience of an intrusive thought and three ideas on how to handle the little haters.  I messed up the name of the song so I had to take it out. You can find it on YouTube. It is officially on the CartoonNetwork page. I don't know how long it will last. A lot of cable channels properties are going to be sold or terminated.  So much is changing.  If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  The non-profit Helpguide.org has a full page on Intrusive Thoughts and how to handle them. One of their suggestions is adjust the perceptions of your thoughts and let them be.   From the cartoon Steven

Trying to get back into the flow. I still don't have a desk or recording equipment. My phone will have to do the job. This is a quick pebble in the road on what is a mental health disorder.   Mental health disorders can affect a person's mood, feelings or become intrusive thoughts.   Most of us have experienced high stress periods or feeling like it's too much or way too much, or you really can't stand it anymore.    For those of us with continuous anxiety symptoms, it leans more toward being a disorder.  Or a condition.   Now, it's really important that you don't self-diagnose. You really should have a thorough workup by your doctor because there are so many physical health problems that have the exact same symptoms as an anxiety symptoms.    I just want you to have a better understanding of what those terms mean.    Bottom line, you have anxiety, you have anxiety symptoms, and they seem to be going on for a long time. It could be a condition. It could be a disorder.    Or it could just be something that you

After a few minutes of an life update, I talk about the Smiling Minds app, a free resource designed to help practice meditation and also helps to build mental fitness.   If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.   Resources Mentioned:    The Simply Noise app can help you with finding the right sound for your needs, that could be a frequency noise or a sound of nature. Windows users can go to the download section of the website and select the items that will give them an audio balm. Smiling Mind app provides mindfulness and breathing resources but has evolved into a mental health support and fitness app. There are 700+ mindfulness items that you can use. There is also a mood tracker and other resources.   You can find the app on the Apple App Store  or the Google Play Store.   On the main website you can find an explainer page on how to use the app and some of the features.  One of those fea

A brief update. I'm still going through chaos. I'm having to throw away a lot of things and re-organize my life.    This is a brief pebble in the road on a memory that I wrote down in 2002. It was a bad time.    There are ups and downs with having an anxiety condition. I was scraping cement at that time.   I'm grateful that is this a memory. I'm going to shred this page but I've memorialized it so there is no loss.  If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical ad

In this episode, I talk about my process on handing a problem and four resources that might be helpful to those with panic attacks and panic disorder.    Some of the resources are informative but dry.    Other offerings are written in a more conversational form, accessible but might not explain a concept or two.   I get a little more personal than I like but I wanted to share with you my panic response to some bad news.    There are a lot of changes that I'm experiencing at the moment.    Those changes need attention. I'll do the best I can but it is going to be a challenge to deal with it, work and get out an episode.   I'll do the best I can. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:    NAMI is the National Association of Mental Health narrative from Yasmina Rebani-Lee that does a good job of explaining her experience and her process of working through it. It is called

We all have that thing that gets under our skin. The thing we can't stand and won't abide in any form. That at best is an irritation. But for some of us, it can be a problem if it impacts the quality of life. Those four-legged poof balls called cats can be a problem for people with a phobia about cats. In this episode, what it is, the symptoms and treatment resources. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  The Cleveland Clinic has a page on ailurophobia, another name for the fear of cats. If you want to go learn about the phobias and treatment options, there is a HelpGuide.org page on Phobias and Irrational Fears. Psychology Today has a directory of mental health providers. You can search by city or zip code. Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified he

There are forces that have us in a state of stress and unbalance. It is intentional. Our stress levels are way too high.  In this episode, I'm talking specifically about stress but those of us with anxiety still need to pay attention.    We still have the ability to decide how we want to go forward. You might need a personal support system to help you deal with the days, months or however ever long we survive this moment in time.   If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  Stress definition and tips to handling it from the World Health Organization. The American Psychological Association has a dictionary style definition from their point of view. The non-profit American Institute of Stress also provides information about stress. There is a stress questionnaire that could help you figure out your stress level and provide information on handling it. There is a fee for ac

Social anxiety is not about being shy or people not wanting to be social. People with social anxiety beats up on themselves before others get a chance to do it.  It is a condition where an excessive amount of fear is generated by the anticipation of rejection.  Either way, it can be harmful to the spirit. In this episode, a quick look at the book How to Be Your Self by Ellen Hendriksen, Ph.D. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  If you need information about Social Anxiety Disorder, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a free PDF on the condition and suggestions on treatment options. The Insight Timer app has a course by Dr. Hendriksen called Rising Above Social Anxiety.  The Yale Medicine website has an explainer page on Social Anxiety. Bookshop.org is a way to support independent bookstores. You purchase the book online via the website and an

Yeah, it is a real thing and we are existing in it. From the looks of things most of us are struggling and that is never a good thing. An infodemic is a smash up between too much information and a pandemic. I didn't invent this term. Goes back to 2001-2003ish.   There is a pandemic of bad, worse and toxic levels of disinformation. People are getting sick or at risk of ingesting poor quality information sources.    I'm not being hyperbolic here. I stopped monitoring local and national news. All of it and cut back on social media too. And I actually turn off my phone at night.    In my limited defense, I did not want constant notifications of dubious statements and horrifying facts. I've mention this in the podcast. It is ok to take a break from the firehouse of news.   But there is a cost.  One morning, I woke up, turned on the phone and found out about not one but two wildfires.   We need safe and viable ways to monitor the news without crushing our spirts to dust. I have an idea or two.  This are just my id

In this episode, a brief explanation of cognitive behavioral therapy and then an overview of the mental health apps that claim to provide treatment or support resources. There are a lot of companies that are trying to convince insurance companies, private businesses and consumers that their app is the one to help treat mental health issues.  Just one problem. There is only (at this time in January 2025) that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows the smartphone Rejoyn app to be recognized as a treatment for depression.   And you need a prescription for it.   Everything else in the mental health market place needs to be seriously evaluated by consumers to see if what is offered is acceptable to you and supports your treatment goals..   This is an overview of some of the things you should know if you decide to use an app. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned: 

The medical term for this is called bruxism. It is when a person grinds, gnash or clench your teeth and jaw bone. We are going to have a lot more people doing this in the year to come.    This is a pebble in the road on the condition and resources you can use to help you make decision about your health. 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:  The Johns Hopkins Medicine site has an explainer about Bruxism that talks about who is at risk, the causes and treatment options.    American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has a page on Understanding the relationship between bruxism and stress.    Open Path Psychotherapy Collective helps folks locate therapists that agree to a sliding fee payments for services. You can filter for those things that you would want in a therapist. Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute e

Agoraphobia is the fear of being away from a safe place. People with agoraphobia have trouble being in certain types of public places. They also have problems with enclosed areas that don't seem to have an escape path. There are people that do just fine traveling only to a home, the store, work and maybe the church. Anything more than that causes them distress.    There are people that cannot ride a bus or the subway. It is the fear of being trapped without an escape. Then you have people that cannot leave their homes or they can only do so with someone accompany them.    In this episode a quick look at the condition, some of the symptoms and resources to get you started on your recovery journey. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  National Library of Health MedlinePlus page on Agoraphobia   National Institute of Mental Health booklet on Panic Disorders HelpGui

We have to be a lot more careful about the apps we put on our phones and tablets. In the entrepreneurial app space, there are a lot of apps that claim to be mental health or wellness apps. Many now have AI slapped on their covers.  At this time, AI is a collection of words, stolen data and snatched public domain text to make it seem like it can answer a question.   It can't. The response you get is a gussied up form of pattern matching. There is no intelligence or thinking from the app. That doesn't mean that the contraption can or can't help you.   It does mean that you need to be aware of your needs. You should start to have a baseline of what a mental health the app can do for you.     There are going to be a lot more apps being released in 2025. We need to build an understanding of what is and is not acceptable in a so-called mental health or wellness app.   In case you are new here, I do not accept advertising, affiliate links or other forms of compensation. This is my subjective opinion of what I perce

Once upon a time I had this guy call me on Thanksgiving day to sell his carpet cleaning service. He probably thought is was a good idea, everybody would be home. Probably had that 100 calls mentality.  I was not joyful or merry when I got that call. I did not curse him out. I reminded him that it was Thanksgiving day. The call ended shortly after that statement.   For some of us, this is the start of enforced joy and merriment. The imperative to buy, buy and buy some more.    I want for you a different imperative. To take care of yourself as best you can. Watch what you eat and drink. And if you are prone to having alcoholic drinks, make sure you also gulp down plain water for brain hydration.    Or you could, embrace the mocktail life. Just a thought.   Balance your sweets with actual veggies and fruits.  Don't indulge in toxicity from media or other sources. Say "Thank you" if it helps you to get out of the store faster.    Our goal is to get to January 2, 2025. And then we get ready to meet the next cha

EFT Tapping, that takes me back a couple of years. Back when there was limited 240x 120 size video on websites. My symptoms were really bad that that time. I tried to make sense of it. I couldn't. Not with a 56k modem.   I quickly moved on to other possible help sources. About a year ago, I saw a EFT Tapping video. I tried it out. It did work for me if I was on the edge of an attack. Not so much if I have a big hella whopper of one, but that might be just me.    This time, I went looking for answers.   I did find some. Not enough to satisfy folks on the medical evidence-based  side of the fence.    But in-between the hooey and the functional components is a way of feeling better without risk to the body or the wallet.   This technique has been infused with cognitive therapy, meditation and affirmations. Those things do work. It might not work for everyone. But there are folks that have found relief practicing FTF Tapping.   You couldn't get some of those same people go to a meditation class but they are doin