ARP 385 - What Is Fright?

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 (1-866-488-7386), 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 online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.

 

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 hotline and users can text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. 

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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 351 Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome

 For some of us, imposter syndrome is an anxiety generator. 

It goes to the heart of feeling worthy, being competent or having the right to be in a particular space.

Doing this episode made me feel like an imposter. I can hear slurred words, tangents and howlers of editing. 

But here is the thing.  I don't allow it to keep me from trying and doing. Sure, I could not do the show. Or hire and editor. Or let a freaking non-human try to emulate my speech patterns. 

I need to do this in order to get better. And it might take another eight years for that to happen. I have the 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: 

There is a short TED-X explainer video called What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it?

National Public Radio has a 2021 Life Kit piece on 5 Steps to Shake Imposter Syndrome.

Helpguide.org article on Imposter Syndrome, causes, types and coping tips.

A Guide to Impostor Syndrome—and Overcoming It from McLean Hospital Essentials page

Kim Menninger has a podcast called The Impostor Syndrome Files. You can find it on Apple podcast or almost any other podcast directory.

Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy or any book vendor.

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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Bug Therapy Trailer

I just saw a  trailer for an CG animated film called Bug Therapy. 

I am all for banging the gong for mental health awareness and encouraging folks to seek treatment. 

All hands on deck, this is not a drill.

This is a story about Citronella.  a mosquito who faints at the sight of blood, tries to muster the courage to attend group therapy, led by Dr. Pill, to overcome her phobia. This is the trailer for the short film.

I don't know where you can view the full short movie. I know it has been shown at various film festivals and will be shown at the National Association of Mental Health California conference on August 25, 2022.

I'll keep an eye out for when it shows up on a film channel or YouTube.

Bug Therapy website with the trailer of the film can be found at https://www.bugtherapy.film.

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 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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 289 - We Are Here

The verbal poison for profit business that is coursing through the system is killing people. Both passively and in actuality.

 

And I can tell you from experience that the let’s pretend balm of dismissing this as a mental health issue has been put into play.

 

Or a one-off action of a lonely man. 

Sometimes all you can do is state the obvious.

 

We are alive. 

 

And you can take pride that being alive pisses the hell out of a bunch of people. 

 

We have a purpose. To get well, be healthy and chip away to make our spot of the planet a bit easier for the next generation.

 

This is just a message. It is gonna get messy.

Take care of yourself and one other. More, if you are up to it.

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.

Resource Mentioned:

Psychology Today post on 10 Anxious Behaviors That May Actually Be Trauma Responses

 

Tabitha Brown video on Your are still here via YouTube.

If you live in the United States, you can get free Covid Home Tests via the page set up by USPS.com.

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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 271 Moving Past Denial and Doing the Work

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 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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Pebble in the Road - Alcohol and Serotonin

This is a transcript of  my pebble in the road about using alcohol to help manage your anxiety.

I'm not here to judge or wave the finger at you. There are a lot of people who use booze to relax with or as a reward after a hard day.

But you are not one of them. Because you might be using liquor to handle your anxiety symptoms.

Let me give you two good reasons to consider alternatives.

One, alcohol dehydrates your brain. Your brain wants water. Doesn't really care if it is warm or cold but your brain really wants water. 

So drinking alcohol does the opposite. 

And no, the ice cubes do not count.

The second reason to consider an alternative to booze is that it messes with your hormones. And what is the hormone we want to nurture and propagate? Serotonin.

And if that wasn't enough. Continue drinking they way you do  might increase the level and severity of your symptoms.

There are alternatives to drinking it up and living it down the next day. I really encourage you to seek those out. In the Serotonin episode, I mention some of the ways to boost serotonin in your brain and body. 

There are many alternatives to knocking back a few. Especially if you are using alcohol to try to appear normal or not freak the hell out. 

Resources Mentioned: 

Verywell Mind has a post on The Risks of Using Alcohol to Relieve Anxiety. 

ADAA.org post Social Anxiety Disorder and Alcohol Abuse.

2012 Anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorder, Comorbidity and Treatment Considerations. Retrieved from Pub Med.

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 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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Why We’re Dreading a Return to ‘Normal" Video from NYT

I remember it being so quiet. No horns honking. No place to rush to. The virtual meetings weren't in full force so you had space to be. You didn't have to deal with the a-hole of the day. 

You still had to face you stuff but on your terms.

This is a video essay, they call it an opinion video of three people that talk about how going back to normal isn't all it is cracked up to be. 

I know part of the answer but why are we rushing back to the way it use to be? Not saying be a hermit. I am saying there are ways of making space and inclusion that we haven't considered.

This is an opportunity to think about it. But being dumb as cluck Americans, probably won't.

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 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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 223 Feeling Numb

The dictionary says that feeling numb is a lack of sensation.  Those of us with anxiety disorders are usually feeling something. Until we don’t.

Let’s say something big happened and everybody around you is celebrating. But you are not a part of it. Even if it is something that you really wanted. You are separated from the experience. There are a couple of names for this but the easy way to express it is feeling numb. 

In this episode, a look at what feeling numb is, the source and some of the online therapists and mental health ideas and suggestions about how to deal with it. 

I need to stress that if possible, you should consult a licensed behavioral health provider. There are increasing telehealth options and resources. The links provided are from licensed professionals who are offering their opinions and are providing ideas for consideration.

 

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: 

Psychologist Will Meek has a visual chart of the emotions and how to understand

The Anxiety First Aid Kit, Quick Tools for Extreme and Uncertain Times published by New Harbinger Press. The link is the publisher's website. You can find the book at online book vendors or you can contact your local independent bookstore.

From Very Well Mind What Is Emotional Numbing?

Why Do I Feel Numb Emotionally? Dissociation Explained in Depth by physiotherapist David Maloney. This is a half-hour video that goes into detail about experiencing feeling numb (aka dissociation) and what you can do about it.

 

2018 post from The Mighty on 16 Things People Don't Realize You're Doing Because You're Emotionally 'Numb

Therapist Támara Hill provides some ideas about "How Can I Begin To Heal?" 3-4 Tools You Can Use Everyday 

Tiny Buddha How to Connect to Yourself and Feel Balanced with 10 Grounding Techniques

Dr. Stephanie Cordes Easy Grounding Exercises to Calm the Nervous System

Psychologist Will Meek - How to Relax

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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Metathesiophobia aka The Fear of Change

This 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 way it was. Even if there is sufficient information to warrant a change, even temporary. Or permanent. And that is ok, if it doesn't impact your or another persons life. 

Not being political here. Let me give an example.

Ralph goes to work, then goes home.

Does not go anywhere on the weekends.

Does not like being alone so somebody has to be in the house with him.

Does not take vacations and doesn't like it if the family wants to go.

So they don't go anywhere as a group. 

Ralph knows this isn't right but he can't tolerate being anywhere but work and home.

Ralph might have a phobia.

There are resources that might be of assistance to help understand and how to deal with phobias. I share a few of them in the podcast.

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: 

HelpGuide.org has an information posts on phobias and irrational fears 

Faith G. Harper 2018 book Unf*ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers. You can find the book in paper form or as an audio book at your preferred book vendor.

Verywell Mind has an page on a list of phobias and some of the things a person can do about them. 

The Anxiety Toolkit by Alice Boyes, PhD You can read a passage from the book at Oprah.com

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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

For Me and Those that Come After

I'm putting this here because I probably should not mention it in the podcast again. 

And I think it should be viewed by people who are starting to be aware that there is more to treatment or reconstructing your life than a set finite list of rules and where they come from.

Rules are important, especially in health care. You gotta wash you hands in order not to spread germs from one person to another. This has been proven true by science and data. 

But sometimes a healing can happen via a song. An image. Or a cartoon.

I never want to be so old that I can't be open to inspiration, creativity or learning because of the form of the content. 

Not my style. Never has been.

Never will be.

This is a clip from the animated series, called Steven Universe. It explains the concept of what is a negative thought and how to deal with it.

20 million people have watched this clip. It is resonating with all kinds of folks. Maybe it will with you. Maybe it won't. I'm just plunking this here, just in case.

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 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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 204 What Is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia 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. 

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: 

BoosterBuddy App can help you to remember medication and appointment, has a journal feature and tips on self-care and motivation. You can download the app via the Apple App store or Google Play Apps.

U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus definition of Agoraphobia and treatment options.

Another resource is from the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy page on Panic Disorders and Agoraphobia. You can also check out therapist Kati Morton's video on agoraphobia.

Dr. Julie Conner's page on Help! I'm Having a Panic Attack! with information about Agoraphobia as well. You should also check out Very Well Minds post on What is Agoraphobia?

Drew Linsalata has a book called The Anxious Truth : A Step-By-Step Guide To Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Agoraphobia. You can read a sample chapter of the book or visit the book's web page to get a sense of his approach to treatment.

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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 107 - Dealing with Fear and Music Therapy Resources

In this episode, ways to handle or control your fear. I can’t tell you what to do; just offer options. Some options and resources I agree with and others I’ll give a side eye. I am biased. I am human.




Curse the darkness. 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 NAMI, a guest post by Chelsetia Davis on Improving Your Own Mental Health

News story via the CBC - Man in southwestern Ontario charged after family attacked with bat amid shouts of 'ISIS'

Reuters news story by Lisa Rapaport about music therapy might ease depression.

British Journal of Psychiatry Music Therapy for Depression; it seems to work but how?

The Effects of Music on the Human Stress Response from the PLoS One

From the University of Minnesota How to Deal with Chronic Fear and Anxiety

Mark Tyrell's Uncommon Help.me has a sensory tip on how to be re-centered in your space when an attack happens it is part of his 5 Sure-fire Ways to Overcome Fear and Anxiety Today

If you know and understand what mantras are Tiny Buddha has 4 Powerful Mantras to Help You Deal with Fear and Anxiety

Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D Ten Skills to Manage Fear and Anxiety in an Unsafe World

For those of you that want your healing on the rough side or more direct I commend your attention to How to Permanently Overcome Fear at The Mind of Steel.

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 advice, diagnosis, or treatment.