In this Q&A episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast, hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner tackle listener questions about anxiety's root causes, diagnosis, and treatment. From understanding the differences between generalized anxiety and OCD to exploring the challenges of cultural stigma, this episode is packed with actionable advice and expert insights. Plus, a teaser for a future episode on parenting anxieties!

Key Points:

- [0:25] - Embracing Listener Questions

Why Q&A episodes foster real-world conversations and encourage audience engagement.

- [3:00] - Personal Anxious Moments

Carly and Elizabeth share recent experiences, including road rage incidents and wedding social fatigue.

- [6:00] - Understanding Anxiety’s Roots

Anxiety often stems from the fear of uncertainty and societal pressures for immediacy and certainty.

- [11:10] - How to Get Diagnosed with Anxiety

The difference between full psychological assessments and clinical diagnoses through therapy.

- [15:00] - Types of Anxiety Disorders

A breakdown of common conditions like OCD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and phobias.

- [20:02] - Cultural and Societal Influences on Anxiety

How cultural norms, stigma, and socioeconomic factors shape anxiety experiences and treatment access.

- [24:15] - Managing Anxiety-Inducing Situations

Tips for addressing triggers in everyday life, such as work stress, relationship conflicts, and public speaking fears.

- [28:40] - Anxiety Treatment Misconceptions

Debunking myths about quick fixes and highlighting the importance of evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy.

- [32:10] - The Role of Self-Compassion in Anxiety Management

How being kind to yourself can reduce the intensity of anxious feelings and improve resilience.

- [37:20] - Parenting and Anxiety

A sneak peek into how parental anxiety impacts children, with a promise of a deeper dive in the next episode.

Quotable Moments:

[6:35] "Anxiety latches onto what matters to us most—our values, our goals, our loved ones." - Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

[11:50] "A psych assessment is like a full diagnostic roadmap; therapy is your car on the journey to healing." - Carly Werner

[29:40] "Treatment for anxiety isn't about getting rid of it—it's about changing your relationship with it." - Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

Links Mentioned:

• Anxiety Society Podcast - Submit a Question: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): https://www.nimh.nih.gov
• John Hirschfeld’s Book on Mindfulness for OCD: https://a.co/d/8THN7M1

Thanks for tuning in to this special Q&A episode! Keep submitting your questions at our website to be featured in upcoming episodes. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram at @theanxietysocietypod. Together, we can transform how we navigate anxiety.

In this episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner are joined by the dynamic Deborah Duncan, host of Great Day Houston. Deborah shares her inspiring journey through adversity, reflecting on personal growth, resilience, and leadership. Together, they explore the role of anxiety in shaping our responses to challenges, discuss the importance of embracing failure, and reveal how we can turn life’s obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Key Points:

- [0:40] - Introducing Deborah Duncan

Deborah recounts her career journey, including her time as a news anchor and talk show host, and how life’s challenges shaped her path.

- [6:02] - Anxious Moments and Public Life

A hilarious and poignant start: Deborah’s Halloween mishap and a reflective discussion on managing anxiety in public roles.

- [10:50] - The Power of Failure and Resilience

How childhood struggles with math and an empathetic teacher taught Deborah the importance of persistence and asking for help.

- [20:30] - Navigating Workplace Challenges

Deborah opens up about workplace adversities, the lessons they taught her, and how they prepared her for greater opportunities.

- [30:45] - The Cost of Overprotection

A candid conversation about how shielding younger generations from adversity can hinder growth and resilience.

- [40:20] - Leadership and Constructive Feedback

Deborah shares her approach to coaching employees, balancing humor, compassion, and accountability to foster growth.

- [48:12] - Failure as a Stepping Stone

Insights into reframing failure as a natural part of growth, and how to use it to propel you toward success.

Quotable Moments:

[10:55] "Failure isn’t the end—it’s the clearing for what’s next." - Deborah Duncan

[30:47] "We’ve done a disservice by shielding people from adversity; it’s the struggle that builds strength." - Cali Werner

[48:15] "The alligator eats the most! It’s about finding the way you learn best." - Deborah Duncan

Links Mentioned:

• Great Day Houston: https://www.greatdayhouston.com
• What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey: https://a.co/d/7hxRLsk
• The Anxiety Society Podcast: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com

Deborah Duncan’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and perspective. By embracing adversity and reframing failure, we can all grow stronger. Don’t forget to subscribe, share the episode with friends, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Anxiety Society podcast, hosts Cali Werner and Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, tackle the underlying fears driving anxiety. Listen in as they dive deep into the concept of core fears—the hidden drivers behind anxiety that shape behaviors and emotions. Through personal stories and candid conversations, they explore how core fears manifest in our daily lives, from health concerns to relationship struggles

Key Points:

- [0:01] - Defining Core Fears

The hosts introduce the concept of core fears—fundamental anxieties that shape our decisions and emotions—and discuss how understanding them can lead to meaningful change.

- [15:00] - Health, Diet, and Anxiety

Personal stories and discussions around how health concerns and modern diets contribute to anxiety, with a focus on finding balance and making realistic changes.

- [25:00] - How Core Fears Impact Behavior

Using examples like fear of abandonment and fear of responsibility, the hosts break down how core fears drive anxiety responses in daily life.

- [30:00] - Addressing Intrusive Thoughts and Irrational Fears

Jon Hershfield explains the role of intrusive thoughts in anxiety disorders and offers tools for tackling them through mindfulness and CBT.

- [35:00] - Taking Action Against Anxiety

The team provides a roadmap for overcoming anxiety by identifying triggers, confronting fears, and embracing uncertainty for long-term growth.

Quotable Moments:

- [5:30] "Anxiety isn't just something we feel—it's a lens that colors how we see the world. And that lens is often shaped by our core fears." - Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

- [22:45] "Real change happens when you stop treating the symptoms of anxiety and start digging into its roots." - Cali Werner

- [34:00] "Freedom lies not in eliminating uncertainty, but in learning to live with it." - Jon Hershfield

Links Mentioned:

- Podcast Instagram: [@TheAnxietySocietyPod: https://instagram.com/TheAnxietySocietyPod

Thank you for joining us on this insightful episode of the Anxiety Society podcast! Dive deeper into these discussions by subscribing to the show, or leaving a review.

Mentioned in this episode:

World Class Treatment For A Worldwide Need

The OCD Institute of Texas provides compassionate individualized treatment for anxiety, OCD and related disorders with a diverse team of dedicated specialists.