Anxiety Road Podcast
378 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★ - 31 ratingsThis is the Anxiety Road Podcast, the involuntary journey in finding treatment options for people that have anxiety and panics attacks with side trips into related mental health disorders.
This podcast is treatment agnostic.
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Episodes
ARP 215 Magnesium for Symptom Relief
September 15, 2020 03:37 - 9 minutes - 9 MBFood can be one of the many paths to healing. There are essential minerals that the body needs to function. Run low on them and you might have problems sleeping, focusing and functioning. In this episode, a look at the mineral magnesium, what it can do for you and some of the foods and products you can access to get you up to proper levels. 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” ...
ARP 214 Decision Fatigue
August 25, 2020 21:08 - 5 minutes - 5.66 MBHi folks, I'm going into virtual vacation mode. This episode is the inspiration I need to take a break. The brain is mush. And not the good kind either. I'll either skip a couple of weeks or make short episodes. If you are new to the podcast, there is plenty of topics in the archives for you to check out.. Decision Fatigue is about thinking exhaustion. At some point you can't make a decision or you make one to get people out of your face. Make the wrong decision and they will be back...
Anxiety Lessons from Fictional Detectives
August 17, 2020 04:20 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBI was viewing CBS Sunday Mornings Jane Pauley about her journey regarding depression and bi-polar depression. And how people will come up to her and start talking about their issues with the illness. There are a lot of foot soldiers who are trying to do the right thing about sharing reliable information about mental health treatment. I make no secret that I am on the same journey as other people. There are weeks when I think I should shut it down. And sometimes I might miss an episod...
Metathesiophobia aka The Fear of Change
August 09, 2020 19:52 - 4 minutes - 4.15 MBThis is a pebble in the road about the fear of change. Specifically, the phobia about the fear of change. It has a name. Metathesiophobia. It is much easier to say the fear of change. That is the topic of this episode. There is a lot of fear romping around these days. I think it is important to know what you are dealing with but that is just me. I can see that for a lot of people, getting back to "normal" overrides anything else. They want and need that structure. They want it the ...
ARP 211 Negative Thoughts and Anxiety
August 02, 2020 17:58 - 10 minutes - 9.98 MBSome of the people with an anxiety disorder have excessive negative thoughts. They come at you like a Tommy gun. Obsessively repetitive negative thoughts. The kinds of things that would get a birth pessimist shook up. There isn't one type of negative thought. These things have a pattern or an intensity that can internally terrorize person in their own body. The good news is that there are ways to control and maybe even stop them. That is the topic of this episode. PS: This...
Mask Anxiety and What to Do About It
July 30, 2020 23:05 - 6 minutes - 5.88 MBThere was a news story about people putting on the masks. People mentioned symptoms about heart palpitations, can't breathe and feeling disorientated. Those are some of the symptoms of an anxiety or panic attack. You might have to go through a process to be comfortable wearing a mask. There are a lot of things you can do. In this episode, a look at some of the things you can do to make peace with the mask, if you want to. What am I talking about? Well, some of the things that ...
ARP 210 Three Types of Thoughts
July 20, 2020 03:35 - 11 minutes - 11 MBWhen you have certain types of anxiety conditions, you could experience an increase in the number of negative thoughts. Or you already have an abundance of negative thoughts and the anxiety or depression is make it worse. In this episode, a look a three types of thoughts that could be romping around in your head. And some of the resources that might help you to understand and bring order to the chaos. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-825...
ARP 209 What is a Sound Bath?
July 14, 2020 21:03 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBIf you are curious about sound bath and sound meditation and want to know if this is something that could help you maintain sleep, be comfortable in your body or need a soothing sound sensory experience, then this might be an episode of interest to you. 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: National Alliance page of Mental Illness on Understanding Y...
ARP 208 What is Hopelessness?
July 06, 2020 04:16 - 9 minutes - 8.58 MBIn this episode, a look at a particularly pesky symptom of depression, hopelessness. And a look at some of the resources you can use to help you understand what is going on and resources for treatment. When you have depression as part of your anxiety condition, being told to think happy thoughts probably isn’t gonna do much for you. You may have to process that info in a different way that does not include the word happy. And you probably need the help of a professional behavior...
207 What Is Depression?
June 29, 2020 02:16 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBWhen I read some of the posts and articles about how to deal with depression, I often encounter content that states that "if only you would change your thinking." Or the reader is being told to employ positive thinking techniques. Or is being given the f*ck up bunkie, nobody cares but you pep talk. Or "Pour more faith into it, that will fix it." I have no doubt that some of the above works for a specific set of people. I think the most important thing to understand is that th...
ARP Pebbles in the Road Three Resources
June 22, 2020 04:39 - 5 minutes - 5.14 MBYeah, best laid plans and cucumbers. You know for certain what you are gonna get with cucumbers. But not to leave you totally in the lurch, I have three resources that you might be interested in checking out. First is a free meditation resource and then two books, one is a short e-book on Worry and Anxiety and the other is about having an anxiety condition and a relationship. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-...
ARP 206 More Anxiety Help Resources
June 15, 2020 05:21 - 9 minutes - 8.66 MBIt is like waiting for the other shoe to drop. I enjoy the rest period, but I’d just assume we’d all get instant enlightenment and be done with it. Since that isn’t going to happen, I do have actionable resources for you to help get a grip on your symptoms and your condition. 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: National Public Radio report a...
ARP 205 A Need for Restorative Mindfulness Resources
June 09, 2020 04:09 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBI tried to write through it. I tried to be pity or intelligent or something. For 10 hours I tried to try to communicate something that would not be a waste of time. I couldn't do it. So, I had to step back and look for some of the help I needed. That is what I want to share in this episode. 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: 2015 Clinical Psy...
ARP 204 What is Agoraphobia?
June 01, 2020 01:43 - 7 minutes - 7.44 MBAgoraphobia is not just the fear of going outside; many agoraphobics do just that. It is the constant feeling of fear and possibly, but not always, the fear of having a panic attack in public. In this episode, a look at treatment resources for those that have this condition. There is a strong link between agoraphobia and a panic disorder. 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 741-7...
ARP 203 - Emotional Self-Care TIps
May 25, 2020 02:34 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MBI feel like I am between a wall and a hard place. I want to describe options that you have when it comes to treating the diagnosed version of an anxiety condition or disorder. I really don’t want to tell folks what to do with two exceptions, don’t give up and don’t kill yourself. But this is a bad week in a string of bad weeks. We need some re-enforcement. So here are some emotional self care tips to hold us as we intentionally move forward. If you need support contact the National ...
ARP 202 Symptom Care and Frozen Orange Juice
May 18, 2020 00:20 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBWe don't just talk the talk about these parts, this is a living on-going learning process about how to exist in this time with an anxiety disorder. In this episode, how I headed off a panic attack with a can of frozen orange juice. And more to the point, adjust your symptoms management to the situation. 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: http...
ARP 201 Social Anxiety Disorder AKA Social Phobia
May 11, 2020 01:28 - 5 minutes - 5.53 MBIn this episode, a look at a disorder that is commonly mistaken for shyness. It isn't about shyness or being bashful. Social Anxiety Disorder (aka Social Phobia) affects a lot of people. According to the Andrew Kukes Foundation, that is 1 in 8 people or 15 million people. Social Phobia is an irrational believe that a person is being observed and judged. The belief is so strong there are physical symptoms and the disorder has the ability to disrupt and impact the quality of a per...
ARP 200 Oxidative Stress and Better Food Choices
May 04, 2020 02:19 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBPerhaps there is a better way for both of us to have what we want, occasionally, and eat better 90 percent of the time. We gotta pay attention to both mental and body systems. We have to focused on taking care of the brain and brain functions. One of the ways we do that is by making better food and nutritional choices. So in this episode, a really simplistic definition of oxidative stress and some of the foods and supplements that can keep the free radicals in our bodies from gunking up t...
ARP 199 Creativity in the Middle of Chaos
April 26, 2020 21:05 - 6 minutes - 6.17 MBIn this short episode, a look at some of the resources you can use to understand how creativity can help you get an understanding about anxiety, or help you cope during isolation or remind yourself to have something to look forward to. We all need that. We really do. 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: From Boing Boing, a trip back to the musical pas...
ARP 198 Reframing Affirmations
April 19, 2020 02:18 - 10 minutes - 9.58 MBIn this episode, a look at affirmations. Not as a linguistic vending machine. Or a means to be financially powerful. I'm viewing affirmations as a tool to support healing. Not the only tool to be used but as a means of support, nourishment, encouragement and self-care. We are humans. And are hard wired to seek certain things in order to be functional and stable. We don't have those things and we get a little crazy. And then a lot more crazy. Affirmation are not for everyone. Ther...
ARP 197 Feeling Fractured and Finding Spackle
April 10, 2020 03:13 - 7 minutes - 7.36 MBIt is a mess. It is a time and wowzer, every day a pip. Trauma is waving the freak flag and there are people that are hurting. This includes you and me. What should have been and what's going to be are not something that can be predicted. We have been changed. We are in a state of change and along with the bad stuff is the potential for some good stuff too. But first, we have to recognize that we are fractured and need some healing invisible Spackle to get ourselves in a better place. ...
ARP 196 Anxiety Music Video Self Care Reminders
March 27, 2020 05:29 - 8 minutes - 7.61 MBI go between being rock solid to a quivering mess. Especially when people are making economic decisions about my worth on the planet. I don't know, something about it just doesn't sit right with me. We do things differently around here. Inconsistent as well as predictable.This time out it is a look at certain music videos that might serve as reminders of some self-care techniques. This time it is a look at specific music videos that might speak to the anxious in the ways that the normal...
ARP 195 Treatment Option Decision Grid
March 20, 2020 03:35 - 11 minutes - 11.2 MBI feel like it has been five years in this one week. It has been a pip of a time with more to come. But we got work to do. This is the next episode on organizing your thoughts to come up with a decision grid to help you see what you want or need to do about treatment. 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: BBC post about protecting your mental healt...
194 Grounded in Truth, Not Fear
March 06, 2020 05:31 - 4 minutes - 4.75 MBThere was so much chatter about the fear reactions to current events I felt that I needed to put my two cents in. I'll continue the treatment plan episode next time, but in this moment I ask you to even more so take care of yourself. Be kind to yourself. Control the amount of garbage you ingest from certain media sources. Pick up a bottle of ginger ale. I leave the brand to you personal choice, in case you do feel a little grippy. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prev...
ARP 193 More About Creating A Treatment Plan
February 28, 2020 06:34 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBThis time a look at the research part of creating a treatment plan that works for you. This next phase involves researching and learning your options. Two of those options that might be presented to you are taking medication or seeing a behavioral health professional. Nothing wrong with those options. Well there could be if you don't have the money to access professional services. Or you don't want to take medication. Or see a therapist. I would say that you need to be aware of what t...
ARP 192 Intro to Creating A Treatment Plan
February 21, 2020 05:44 - 9 minutes - 8.74 MBMany people have an opinion about treating anxiety conditions and disorders. Most of them are not medically qualified to take out a splinter from a toe. Myself included. Each person is unique and different and there is always a little something that gets left out when people try to sell you a cookie cutter approach. So what does it mean to have a treatment plan? What goes into it? In this episode a question, and it is a dilly. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention...
Bonus - Not a Pep Talk
February 14, 2020 16:58 - 1 minute - 595 KBVery short - being alone on Valentine's Day and making the best of it.
ARP 191 What is EMDR?
February 09, 2020 23:45 - 5 minutes - 5.53 MBI’ve been doing a lot of reading and the abbreviation EMDR is coming up in many documents and websites. I don’t know what that is so I wanted to do a quick episode to learn more about it and find out how it can be helpful as a treatment option. This is a quick episode on the definition of the treatment and some resources you can check out and follow up on. 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...
ARP 190 What is Trauma Part 2 With a Side of Grief
February 02, 2020 04:20 - 9 minutes - 9 MBThis is the second episode about trauma and the connection to grief and anxiety and how some of the symptoms of trauma and grief are similar to anxiety. The goal of the podcast is to share what I have learned and continue to learn about having an anxiety condition or disorder. I am not a medical or mental health professional. I am a fellow traveler who has experienced some of the frustrations and blocks to treatment. I want your path to be a bit easier than mine. If you need support pl...
ARP 189 What Is Trauma?
January 23, 2020 05:38 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MBFor some but not all of us, our anxiety has a root in trauma. So in this episode a look at trauma, the definition(s) and some of the various forms. A few housekeeping items. I’ve recently applied to be on Spotify. If you happen to listen or hear the episode on the service there may be ads before, after or during the podcast. I have no say in it and I don’t get a flipping dime for being on that service. Many long-time listeners know that I choose not to accept advertising. I think it...
And on the seventh day..
January 17, 2020 05:55No desktop Internet. At all. Have mini wifi that good for travel and email. Uploading audio? Not without a fight and I'm losing it. Will upload as soon as I figure out how w/o broadband.
ARP 187 Breathing Apps to Calm Your Mind
January 10, 2020 05:48 - 4 minutes - 4.39 MBA short episode but a necessary one in these times of palpitation. I want to talk about breathing apps and helpful breathing videos. It doesn't matter what the external world is doing, you need to focus on taking care of yourself. Breathing is one way to do that. 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. The company that created this lovely two minute breathing videos seems to...
ARP 186 Know Your Symptoms
January 03, 2020 04:58 - 7 minutes - 7.56 MBIn this weeks episode, a caution about using Facebook as a health journal or health locker and what are symptoms and the ways that they show up in the body. Your body. This time out I'm probably asking the equivalent of looking at your own personal boogie man. Identifying your symptoms. Not an easy thing to do when you are trying to deal with them. It is important to know what you are dealing with because you can waste a lot of time pacifying a symptom when you could be dealing with th...
ARP 185 Possible Causes for Anxiety
December 27, 2019 05:11 - 10 minutes - 9.83 MBLittle bit of everything in this episode, being broke, meditation tips from Sparrow and understanding some of the causes of an anxiety disorder. And to treat yourself with loving kindness. Now and into the future. 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: Article on BrainFact.org on How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping Personalized Mental Health Care...
ARP 184 Finding My Way Back and KWOL
December 19, 2019 05:07 - 10 minutes - 9.98 MBAs I like to mention in the podcast, I have a long list of things that I am not. At the top of the list is not being perfect. I got lost inside of my head. Anger and depression can do that to you. KWOL is an adaptation of an educational outline used for K-12 students known as KWL, knowledge, want to learn and learned. The O in my version stands for option, what are my options going forward. So yeah I got lost on the road a bit but I found a way to help me get back. If you need suppo...
ARP 183 Honey Boy and Telephone Warm Lines
December 05, 2019 05:54 - 6 minutes - 6.64 MBLike the song says, sometimes we need somebody to lean on. Or talk to, human to human. In this episode a look at telephone support lines. Also in this episode, my brief look at the movie Honey Boy, I can't say if it is a good or bad movie because it spiked into some vintage pain for me and I had to leave. I explain more in the podcast. I can say that if you are triggered by verbal or emotional abuse then this might be a flick that you might need to watch in segments. Or not at all. Th...
ARP 182 Breathing and Wysa App
November 28, 2019 05:51 - 7 minutes - 6.95 MBYou are the only one that can decide what will work for you as you map out your path to wellness. So as I get up off of knees and work my own process, there are two apps to check out to see if they will be of assistance to you. 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 Breathing App helps you to slow down your breathing - good for symptom control. It ...
ARP 181 A Look at Weighted Blankets
November 15, 2019 05:38 - 10 minutes - 9.63 MBThere is a lot of marketing hype about the blankets. There are dozens of stories, but is there anything to support the popularity of the blankets? And, should you get one? 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 Cleveland Clinic article on can weighted blankets banish nighttime anxiety? Mayo Clinic News Network story about the use of the blan...
ARP 180 Moving Your Body After Flight or Fight Response
November 11, 2019 04:39 - 9 minutes - 9.17 MBWhatever causes flight or fight response pay attention to the part that it takes a while for your body to rev down. You have that energy in the body. You have to do something with that energy, that is the focus of this episode. Very basic. Simplistic. No barbells are involved. 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 Institute of Stress website d...
ARP 179 When Someone Calls 911 on Your Anxiety Attack
October 31, 2019 04:13 - 9 minutes - 9.2 MBI am not being metaphorical. What are your rights when a person, relative or police officer decides that you need to visit your local mental health hospital? For most of us with mild symptoms chances are this is a very small possibility. But it can happen. It did to one woman. For those of us with extreme symptoms or have family members that don't understand our symptoms then it could be a problem. The purpose of this episode is to help you consider how you want to handle this situatio...
ARP 178 Books and Workbooks to Help with Anxiety
October 18, 2019 04:52 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBIn this episode, I want to share specific analog paper-based apps known as books or workbooks that might help you with your anxiety symptoms or help you manage your condition. Not all anxiety books and workbook are the same or are intended for everybody. Some are academic, some are low brow and some are task specific. 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 Ment...
ARP 177 Travel Anxiety Tips and Meditation Sources
October 10, 2019 05:14 - 5 minutes - 5.48 MBI kinda like the up, up and away part of travel. I don't necessarily like doing it in an airplane. And to be specific, that turbulence thing is nerve wrecking. But I have what I need to deal with it and in this quick episode I'd like to share what might help you deal with actual fright of flight sensations. 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: Laure...
ARP 176 Humanistic Therapy
October 03, 2019 05:19 - 8 minutes - 8.06 MBLast time I talked about Solution Focused Brief Therapy; basically, it is a goal focused short term therapy that looks at the problem, the tools that the patient or client has to deal with them and then a planned progressive goal to make solutions happen. This time out it is a quick look at Humanistic Therapy. 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: N...
Compassionate Acceptance Meditation Pebble in the Road
September 26, 2019 05:47 - 4 minutes - 4.23 MBThis is a quickie cuz life is a bit to vivid today. I'm working on the Humanistic therapy episode and I hope to have it ready soon. In the meantime, I'm struggling with compassionate acceptance and I bet that you are too. So I have three resources that might help you and me hold on as we rest up on the anxiety road. 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...
ARP 175 Solution Focused Brief Therapy
September 19, 2019 05:12 - 7 minutes - 6.75 MBI want to introduce you to some of the other therapy treatments that you might encounter. This week, Solutions Focused Brief Therapy. 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: Good Therapy.org give a lot of good information about the history, treatment options and some of the things to watch out about SFBT. The page is designed for mental health profession...
ARP 174 Nutrition Self-Care for Anxiety Symptoms
September 12, 2019 04:32 - 9 minutes - 9.19 MBI am getting all kinds of reminders to go to a spa, buy water at CVS, take a shot of serum or a shot of something fermented. If we step around the commercial appropriation of self care we might find something really important. You can get might hungry on the anxiety road. One strong panic attack and you might be looking for that choco-chunk of pleasure. A moment of pleasure then comes the crash. Do you have to give up all the things you love? Nope and I think I can make my case by a...
ARP 173 What the Brain Wants and Needs
August 29, 2019 05:30 - 9 minutes - 9.14 MBBeing on the anxiety road to recovery is understanding how and what we eat and drink can affect the brain. In order to feel better, sleep better and possibly reduce your symptoms you have to eat better. 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. The music this week is Troposphere from Purple Planet Music.com Resources Mentioned: From Psychology Today a blog post for tho...
ARP 172 Intro to Nutritional Treatment Options
August 22, 2019 05:47 - 7 minutes - 7.49 MBAccording to the Medline Plus, “nutrition is about eating a healthy and balanced diet. Food and drink provide the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy.” And that is what I want to spend some time talking about in the next couple of episodes. But I have a feeling thinking about food as a treatment option it is gonna be a hard sell for some of you. 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 “...
ARP 171 Two Meditation App Quickie
August 15, 2019 11:43 - 2 minutes - 2.98 MBI'm in transit from one coast to the other. There is turbulence and not just in the skies. I forgot that my Chromebook can't edit audio so this is gonna be a bone naked episode. I found a way to record but it is a little weird things going on in the background. I'll do better, I promise. I have two meditation apps that might or might not be of interest to you. If it works for you fine, if not pass it on down the line. In the meantime, take care and I'll catch you next time on the Anxie...
ARP 170 Living In Traumatic Stress Times
August 08, 2019 04:45 - 5 minutes - 5.02 MBI tried not to do this episode. But I want to help. I want to stand with those of us that do mental health outreach and advocacy to say that we know you are going through it and we can see and feel your pain. So I thought about it. Hard. And I'm going to keep it simple. In the podcast I'm going to share what Traumatic stress is and a few coping skills and resources for people that know somebody that is in a world of hurt. You might not want to listen now and that is ok. Just a few re...