I Hate Anxiety Podcast

On today's podcast I want to talk with you about the dangers of "white knuckling it" when it comes to facing your fears fears and triggers, and share with you an alternative process that will help.

Anxiety is hard enough already, but we don't need to beat up on ourselves too.  Today I want to share with you how negative self talk can be projected onto others to make it appear that everyone is against us, when that may not be the case.  How do we counter this?  Be kind to yourself.

Today's podcast addresses the topic of intimacy and the impact that anxiety can have on it.

Today I want to talk with you about how over time anxiety results in negative self-talk that damages your self-esteem and what you need to do about that.

Trust can be impacted by anxiety and trauma, where we trust people to distrust them in several ways.  Let's talk about that on today's podcast.

One of the things that can be negatively impacted by anxiety is our sense of safety.  On today's podcast I look at four key factors that change our view of what safety means to each of us.

Do you assume your beliefs are true?  Of course you do.  We all do.  However, when we talk about anxious beliefs that others do not seem to share, then maybe we ought to ask ourselves "How do I know my beliefs are true?"  Let's dig into this topic on today's podcast.

On today's podcast we continue with looking at Problematic Thinking Patterns with the topic of Over Simplifying.

Today's topic looks at Disregarding Important Aspects of a Situation as a part of the Problematic Thinking Patterns of Cognitive Processing Therapy.

Today's topic continues with the seven types of problematic thinking patterns: Exaggerating or minimizing a situation.

Today's I'm starting a 7 part series on Problematic Thinking Patterns that comes from Cognitive Process Therapy.  We will start with Jumping to Conclusions.

On today's podcast I turn things around and explore 4 great ways to feed the anxiety fire in your life.  This is a mirror exercise, and if you see yourself in the mirror with any of these for areas, then you may want to do something about it.  If you hate anxiety, these 4 things you want to remove from your life.

On today's podcast I want to talk about inspirational quotes that speak something positive to you that you can repeat and think about throughout the day.  These statements can really fill in the potholes that anxiety and negative thinking leave behind.

The Eagles recorded the song Peaceful Easy Feeling for their first album in 1972, and it is a favorite sing-along refrain that has lasted for nearly 50 years.  In today's podcast I want to look at the refrain from the context of recovery from anxiety disorders and glean some wisdom from this classic tune.

You make a shopping list to make sure you get what you need from the store.  Listing your anxiety thoughts and beliefs in a Stuck Point Log gives you the opportunity address your recovery from anxiety in a more strategic way.

On today's podcast we will examine the concept of World View and how answering a few questions can increase you insight and understanding about what and why you believe certain things.

In today's episode I share with you the primary differences between cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy.

On today's podcast I share with you my thoughts on choosing the best therapist for you.

When your recovery from stalls or hits a plateau, it may be from following fear.  Today's podcast looks at the question "Are you following fear or breaking free from it?"

Have you ever wondered why change hasn't been working for you?  Sometimes we need a different perspective on how change works in order to make the progress we hope to achieve.  On today's podcast I talk about the Transtheoretical Model that includes the six stages of Precontemplation, contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, and Termination.

Those with anxiety disorders often have a lot of negative beliefs about themselves, other people and the world.  Positive Affirmations about yourself can be a great tool to help you in your recovery.  Today I want to share with you what positive affirmations are, where and how to find good ones for you, and how to get them installed into your daily life.

Would you like to create more calm in your life?  Who wouldn't!  On today's podcast I share with you my 8-step method to strategically create more calm in your life.  So, grab some paper and a pencil, because you will want to take note on this episode.

What do these words have in common: Always, never, everything, totally, ruined, can't everyone, no one, and anymore?  They are all extreme words that can distort our beliefs and create stuck points.  On today's podcast I'll explain to you how this works.

There will likely be times when you are not sure if what you believe is actually true.  Today I will show you an exercise I often do in therapy sessions to help people determine if a beliefs is true or false.

In today's society you will often here the phrase, "Well that's your truth, but this is my truth."  That phrase may sound good, where everyone can have their own truth, but it is not going to help you recover from anxiety.  Find out why on today's podcast.

On today's podcast I share several roadblocks or excuses to starting our journey for overcoming anxiety.  Don't let a roadblock get in your way of you receiving the treatment you need.  Create a plan for overcoming the roadblocks so you can overcome the anxiety in your life!

Do you find yourself feeding into other people's anxiety?  Does it seem like everyone is having drama, crisis, or tragedy in their lives and it is effecting you.  Let's talk about that today, and I'll give you a couple of suggestions that may help you reduce the anxiety that is finding its way into your life.

Do you feel anxiety when you watch CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews, etc? Are you being triggered and find yourself obsessively watching it more than an hour a day, maybe even 5 hours a day?  When a storm system moves across the country do you obsessively watch The Weather Channel?  If you answered "yes", then this podcast is for you.

What happens when we experience too much change too quickly?  Well, two things can happen.  The first is called stress, which everyone experiences.  However, the second can be an anxiety reaction for people who already struggle with anxiety.  Today I talk about the differences.

Today I talk about how inconsistent parenting due to anxiety can negativing impact a child's behaviors and personality development.

Today I share with you my thoughts regarding parenting when anxiety is expressed as anger.

Today I continue with the topic of Parent and Anxiety but focus on how an over-controlling parent can generate and plant the seeds of anxiety in their children.

When anxiety can be seen running in families it is typically a learned behavior.  Today I want to talk about how over protection can develop from parent styles.

Happy New Year to all of my listeners!  My hope for each of you is that 2020 will be a year of positive change to reduce the amount of anxiety in your lives.  In this episode I share my thoughts on five things to do in 2020: Believe, Learn, Awaken, Correct, Train.

Today I want to tell you a story about anxiety symptoms that turned out to be something entirely different.

Today I want to share a couple of examples where people were reporting anxiety that actually was related to excessive use of caffeine.

Today I explain how past abuse that is not occurring today can lead to the experience of anxiety today, and what you can do to start changing that.

On today's podcast I want to share with you a personal experience where the amygdala and hippocampus tag-teamed together following a traumatic experience where I hit a deer with my truck doing 70 mph on the Interstate.

Today I explain how the amygdala and hippocampus work together to help us stay safe, but also how they play a significant role in anxiety and trauma-based disorders.

Today I want to share with you a little bit about the Hippocampus.  This structure plays an important role with memory and associations.  Learn more on today's I Hate Anxiety Podcast.

The Amygdala is a very important structure in the brain when it comes to threat detection.  The Amygdala is a fast learner, but when circumstances change or inaccurate information is learned it can lead to anxiety and anxiety disorders.  Today I share with you a brief overview of this important brain structure.

Today I cover part 2 of our series on parts of the autonomic nervous system that are involved with anxiety disorder.  The opposite of the Sympathetic Nervous System is the Parasympathetic Nervous System, also known as our "Rest and Digest" system.

Today I am starting a two-part series on two aspects of the Autonomic Nervous System that play key roles in anxiety disorders.  In the first part I will teach you about the Sympathetic Nervous System.

Can anxiety change your brain?  The answer is "Yes", and on today's podcast I will share with you how and why.

Today I quickly describe Acute Stress Disorder and how it is related to PTSD.

On today's podcast we will look at arousal and then wrapped up this series on PTSD>

On today's podcast I cover Negativity as it relates to the diagnosis of PTSD.

In today's podcast I talk about the symptoms of Avoidance related to PTSD.

In today's episode I talk about Intrusion symptoms of PTSD including thoughts, dreams, dissociation, psychological distress, and physiological reactions.

Today I share with you how a traumatic situation is defined according to the DSM-5.

Today I start a series on PTSD beginning with a bit of history on descriptions of PTSD over the ages and more specifically looking at the development of the current diagnosis over the past 75 years.

On to today's episode I look at the top 10 phobias in the United States as well as a 3-step approach to overcoming a phobia.

How do specific phobias start?  I believe there are three primary ways people develop a phobia and I cover all three with a personal example from my family at the end of the podcast.

Let's have some fun with phobias.  This not to make fun of or to minimize a person's personal struggle with phobias, but their unusual names that are a challenge to pronounce can make learning about specific phobias a bit more fun.

Who made anxiety the boss over you?  Good question!  Understanding the origins of anxiety in our life can help us see where we have been, how it started, maybe even why it start, but there is a much more important question that I share with you on today's podcast.

There are several anxiety disorders, like agoraphobia, where a person may use a companion to help them do certain activities that typically results in anxiety reactions or panic attacks.  Sometimes the companion is a family member or friend, and other times it may be a trained service dog or an emotional support animal.  However, is the companion actually helping you recover from anxiety or is the person/animal simply an anxiety companion?  Would you be better served in overcoming your anxiety if your companion actually served as a Recover Coach?  Listen to today's episode to hear my thoughts on the topic.

Do you have a need for a companion when going into situations that produce anxiety?  In today's episode I talk about Agoraphobia, the five fear situations associated with this disorder, and the need for a companion.  However, is the companion a help or a hindrance for recovery? 

Have you ever told yourself during a panic attack that you're going to die?  This is actually a listed symptom of a Panic Attack as defined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder - Fifth Edition).  If you ever tell yourself that you're dying while experiencing anxiety then you definitely need to listen to this podcast.

If you have not listened to podcasts 063 and 064, please go back and listen to them before listening to this podcast.  Today I go over the 13 symptoms of a panic attack and compare them with the effects of adrenaline on the body.

Today I want to share with your adrenaline's role in anxiety and specifically it's primary and secondary effects on the human body.  If you have not listened to podcast 063, please stop and listen to it first!

Today's bonus podcast is an interview from 9/24/2019 with Colette Smith LCSW on using Prolonged Exposure Therapy for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's a great interview with a great explanation of the processes! Thanks Colette!

We often hear the term "panic attack" being use, but what exactly is a panic attack?  Today I explain the 13 symptoms of a panic attack along with what are panic sensations and high anxiety.

Social anxiety comes with negative beliefs, and today I want to talk with your about four of the negative beliefs that need to be identified and understood in order to eventually treat them.  The four negative beliefs I am covering today are negative beliefs about our self, others, expectations, and disapproval.

Many people avoid triggers as a way of avoiding the distress of anxiety and panic attacks, but this is just one side of a double edge sword.  On today's podcast I share with you the problems of using avoidance for dealing with anxiety triggers.

Today we look at deactivating trigger reactions and the cognitive and behavioral approaches to doing that.

In today's episode I talk about trigger reactions, what they are and how they develop in relationship to anxiety.

Today I answer this question, "Do I need a diagnosis to get help?"  Take a listen to find out my answer.

Today I give a very brief overview of the difference key anxiety and trauma disorders.

Last time I talked about when anxiety was good, so today I'll be talking about when anxiety is bad.  Four things I look for when assessing a personal for bad anxiety is if it is lasting too long, interfering with daily life, excessive in nature especially in comparison to others, and if it has turned into obsessions.

Can anxiety every be good, or is it always bad?  Good question.  The answer is that anxiety can be good, but if it meets the criteria of being short, focused, and effective.

This is Part 2 of a 2 part series on Adrenaline and Panic Attacks.  If you haven't listened to Part 1 already, please go back and listen to Part 1 on Episode 045.

This is Part 1 of a 2 part series.  Today I talk about the physical effects of adrenaline.

Today we look at patterns in our life and whether they are helpful or harmful.  I use four examples that include changing passive into pro-active, efeated into accomplished, victim into empowered, and pessimist into hopeful.

Do you find yourself thinking negatively in certain situations where other's don't think negatively?  Do the negative thoughts just pop into your head without having to really think about it?  If so you may have Automatic Negative Thoughts.  Today I talk about ANTS, how to identify them, and briefly outline how to change them.

What happens if we treat beliefs as if they are emotions?  We can get trapped into believing lies.  Don't let yourself be trapped - Listen to today's episode.

In today's episode I share several key thinking symptoms of anxiety including need for approval, anticipating a dark future, excessive focus on negativity, perfectionism, poor concentration, and racing negative thoughts.

Today I want to share with you the four key reactions to anxiety: thoughts, emotions, actions, and physical reactions.

Today, I want to answer the question, "What Kind of Help Do I Need?" when wanting to treat anxiety.  Well, that depends upon your symptoms.  Some people mostly need education, while others need to address an overactive sympathetic nervous system and an under-active parasympathetic nervous system.  Some people have long-term problems with anxious thinking patterns that need to be corrected, and still others need to retrain the structure in their brain that determines if something is a life threatening danger or not.  A sequence for treatment that I would recommend is find a therapist that has a long history of successfully assessing and treating those with anxiety, complete a detailed and accurate assessment, develop with your therapist an effective and focused treatment plan that is tailored on your specific needs.

Alright, you have the physical symptoms of anxiety, but why do you have them?  In today's podcast I'll explain that to you and remove the mystery of panic attacks.

Today I share with you the physical symptoms of anxiety as it relates to a Panic Attack as described in the DSM-5.

Your anxiety impact your actions in several ways including decisions, thoughts, and experiential learning.  Larry tackles each of these areas in today's podcast.

What's wrong with my memory?  Well, if you have anxiety issues, then that could be the culprit.  Anxiety related decisions tend to clog up our higher mental functioning and limits our ability to transfer items from short term to long term memory.

Why can't I concentrate?  Is there something medically wrong with me?  Well, people with anxiety often struggle with concentration, and in today's podcast I'll tell you why.

Are you stuck on the perfectionism treadmill?  Would you like to get off?  Would you like to practice an alternative where you feel good about yourself?  Well, it today's podcast that is exactly what I'm going to address.

Remember those old time movies with the old style special effects with models and strings holding them up in the air?  The photographers would use magnification to make small things look big.  Well, that is the same thing that we do with anxiety...we magnify and believe something is bigger or worse than it really is.  Also, we can do catastrophizing and imagine what is happening is a worse case scenario, when it actually isn't.  In today's podcast I address each of these issues.

People with anxiety often live in a scary future, not a scary past or present, but worrying about how bad, terrible and scary the future will be.  But I'm willing to bet your future doesn't turn out to be a scary as your imagination takes you.  The good news is that if you can imagine a scary future you can also imagine a great future!

Today we wrap up our 3-part series on phobias by talking about Agoraphobia.

Today I cover part 2 in my 3-part series on phobia by digging into the criteria and symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder.

Today I talk about anxiety and how it relates to seeking approval from others.  Three ways that I talk about include self-doubt that leads to needing approval, self-doubt complicated by a fear of criticism, and lack of trust of anyone in authority.  The common factor with each of these is inaccurate beliefs or stuck points.

So you have the opportunity for some much needed downtime.  You're ready to relax and chill and get away from the stress of the day.  But wait, you can't because worry and anxiety is invading your downtime, is intruding on the time you just want to relax.  Is there anything you can do about it?  Do other people have the same problem?  I tackle this topic on today's podcast.

If you have a question or topic your would like for me to address on this podcast, send me an email at ihateanxiety@larryquicksall.com.

Today we look at three key reasons for weight gain related to anxiety: Cortisol, excess eating, and inactivity.  I also go into more detail regarding what Cortisol is, it's purpose, and what happens when we have chronic release of it into our body.

In today's episode Larry Quicksall discusses the concept of momentum, both how it can strengthen anxiety and help a person recover from it.

Sometimes when we want to confront an anxiety trigger situations we will go in "white knuckling it".  We muster up the courage and endure the distress hoping this will make it go away.  Unfortunately, it often keeps things the same or makes them worse.  In today's podcast Larry Quicksall explains the reasoning and problems with white knuckling anxious situations and describes his approach to helping people who are at a place when want to challenge their triggers.

In today's episode, Larry Quicksall explains ANTS, Automatic Negative Thoughts, their impact on mood, and how to get rid of them.

There can be a connection btween anxiety and anger that is different from the other types of anger.  In today's episode 

In this episode, Larry Quicksall talks about anxiety and fireworks, reasons for having anxiety related to fireworks, steps to consider when trying to overcoming fireworks anxiety, and tips when watching fireworks. Happy Independence Day America!

In today's episode, Larry Quicksall examines avoidance as a form of shelter from the anxiety storms. However, avoidance doesn't work well.  Larry explains 5 key types of avoidance, problems with avoidance, and therapy and therapist considerations.

In this episode of the podcast, Larry Quicksall talks about PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder including what is a trauma, four categories of symptoms (intrusions, avoidance, negativity, arousal), and things to consider when seeking a therapist.

In today's podcast, Larry Quicksall explains the concept of phobias and phobic reactions.

In this episode, Larry Quicksall explains the differences between Emotional Reasoning and Evidence Based Logic, and the roles they play in both anxiety developing and treatment.

In this episode of the podcast Larry Quicksall answers a question from Beth: "How come I can know something can't hurt me, but I feel all scared in my body. I tell myself it's OK, but my body always wins the argument."  Larry answers this question by explaining the relationship between two structures in the brain: the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) and the Amygdala.  The PFC is where we use logic to rationally look at a situation to determine if it is dangerous or not.  The Amygdala uses experiential learning to remember what is dangerous and then launches the Sympathetic Nervous System (our fight or flight response) to give us the abilities to survive a life threatening situation.  Larry explains how these two structures can work in harmony and against each other.

In this episode of the podcast, Larry Quicksall describes the differences between generalization and discrimination and how they apply to both the development of and recovery from anxiety disorders.

In this episode of the podcast, Larry Quicksall shares what he sees as the most important thing he has learned in his first 25 years of working in the mental health field, and he explains just how important it is to you and the treatment of anxiety disorders.

In this episode, Larry Quicksall explains trauma, how it is defined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), and the impact that trauma can have in our lives.

In this episode of the podcast, Larry Quicksall talks about panic attacks including the 13 symptoms as listed in the DSM-5.

In this episode of the podcast Larry Quicksall talks about the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) including its history, use in making consistent diagnosis, and how it is used in treatment.

In this episode of the podcast Larry Quicksall explains the differences between stress and anxiety.

In this initial episode of the "I Hate Anxiety Podcast", Larry Quicksall (host) gives an overview of the podcast and how it came to be.  Larry also shares a bit about his clinical background in working with those experiencing anxiety.