Show 245 Anxiety Symptoms

In the episode, I mentioned that your symptoms are not the enemy. They ain’t your friend either. Symptoms are a way for your brain and body to communicate with you. Your symptoms do not use words. They do not do that noun conjunction verb. 

They are good at telling you there is a problem. They are lousy at telling you why there is a problem. They try. They really do. But you have to take the time to learn their language. 

Like if you really don't like riding in elevators your body will tense up. Could be because work will be hectic. Could be that you don't like small boxes filled with people. 

So this is just a basic reminder of the general categories of symptoms and some of the things that could occur on or in your body.

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: 

Depresh Mode with John Moe from Maximum Fun.org There is also a YouTube channel. And if you want to stay in the know about the doings at the new show, there is the podcast Substack newsletter archive.

The Mayo Clinic has a good page about describing some of the symptoms of an anxiety condition.

For our Canadian travelers Anxiety Canada page on adult anxiety. It is in both English and French.

And from the American Psychiatric Association they also have a page about anxiety symptom. Little tricky to find but there are plus buttons. Click it and you will see the symptom for the condition.

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 244 - Causes of Anxiety

If your symptoms or your condition plays havoc with your ability to function you have a problem.

It does help to know. Truth is, It doesn't matter how it got started.

How you are going to handle it or get it treated is your decision. In this episode, a look at some but not all of the causes of an anxiety disorder. 

Knowing what you have can take the stink out of it. 

Just a heads up, there is a ADAA.org free webinar on How to Overcome COVID Re-entry Anxiety. Just because you got vaxed doesn’t mean that there aren’t going to be issues. Link in the Resources section.

 

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 ADAA.org, a free May 7, 2021 webinar on How To Overcome COVID Re-entry Anxiety 

ADAA.org also has a YouTube channel to catch up on prior webinars and topics of interest.

From the U.S. Office of Women's Health information page on Anxiety Disorders. 

National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) description page on some of the various types of anxiety disorders, symptoms and treatment options. 

Nationals Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has downloadable booklets about specific anxiety conditions.

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 243 Climb the Mountain

I truly don't know what to say. There needs to be some healing infusions and I don't have any.

But I can say many of us are trying not to be overwhelmed or discouraged by hate based carbon units.

It is hard. 

But we can do it.

Our ancestors taught us that and we have to hold on waiting for our time to make changes.

Not to wait on them. Make them.

In this episode, a few words about why the podcast exist and in App that Attack, a few words on Apollo Neuro.

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: 

Apollo Neuro wearable device for stress and mood adjustment.

Jon Kabat-Zin meditation app for iPhone and iPad.

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 242 Pebble in the Road - Book Recomendation

I had wanted to do a show about writing anxiety.  Then I got hit with a wave of brain fog. Pea soup thick. Three full days of trying to think around and over it. 

No can do. I can find items for the show. I knew what I wanted to talk about. I just couldn't put the words together. 

So this is a pebble in the road with a book recommendation. Dr. Brewer has self-declared he was a traveler on the road. He has the medical chops and it is a different approach to 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: 

2017 Post on Root Out Hidden Writer’s Anxiety to Restore Creativity

Dr. Judson Brewer, M.D. Ph.D has a book Unwinding Anxiety. Dr. Brewer also has a YouTube channel where you can sample some of his ideas. 

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 241 - Learning from Ernest Hemingway

I generally don't talk about famous people unless they self-declare their illness or there is a compelling reason. Not in a million years did I think that I would have something to say about Ernest Hemingway. 

I knew he was a writer. I knew that he seem to love adventure and liked the ladies both within and outside of the bonds of matrimony. And that he was thought of as a manly man. 

So when I heard that there was going to be yet another documentary about Hemingway, I couldn't drum up any reason to watch. 

Until I learned more about the man. There are multiple levels to his physical and mental pain.

You got family trauma. Not to mention an undiagnosed hereditary disease attacking his organs.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder with two other mood disorders s riding in the backseat.

Arthritis. Depression and anxiety. Self-Treating with alcohol. 

Indeed he was a messed up man. Who wrote great books. Who was given the Nobel Prize for Literature. 

He was a pip but he was also human. Sometimes good. Sometimes a jerk.

In this episode, a quick look at the things that in hindsight, Ernest Hemingway can teach us about dealing with our situation and being proactive about taking care of our bodies.. 

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: 

Hemingway - A film documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novic. 

Ernest Hemingway: a psychological autopsy of a suicide by Christopher D. Martin.

PBS News Hour How mental health struggles wrote Ernest Hemingway’s final chapter by Dr. Howard Markel. 

The American Chronic Pain Association has a number of links to pain management resources. Mr. Hemingway would have been eligible for at least six of them.

There is good stuff at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.  They have information about Hemochromatosis.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance FAQ page about depression and mood disorders. They also have on-line support groups. There are also resources at ADAA.org and the National Institute of Mental Health and Medline Plus pages on Bipolar disorders.

If you suspect that someone you know is trying to take themselves off planet there are somethings you can do to help. Bethe1to offers five action steps to help a person in need.

The Gospel at Colonus a retelling of the Greek play with an African-American twist. It is available on DVD but your could take a gander at the play on YouTube. The music is therapeutic and provides another example of somebody having a rough road in life.

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 240 - Cracking the Egg

You can find ways to deal with your symptoms. For some of us, there is medication. 

It isn't for everybody. 

Or you may choose to use a coping skill or relaxation technique. 

It isn't for everybody. 

What is important to know is that you have choices on how you want to handle your symptoms. 

In this episode, a look at some of my process and a few resources to check and hopefully use to make yourself more comfortable.

You don't have to suffer. 

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: 

BetterUp Coaching website provide a matching service for people that are looking for support in their personal or professional goals. It is not a therapy site but some folks do not read beneath the headlines. 

Harvard Health Publishing has a post on Progressive Muscle Relaxation and other exercise based relaxation tips. 

For those that prefer audio, there is a progressive muscle relaxation at Helpguide.org

Mindful.org post on 10 minute gratitude practice to shift, notice and re-wire the brain.

Dental Fear Central - excellent site for those of us that get the shakes when a dentist says open wide.

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 239 There is grief in anxiety too.

One of the great things about WandaVision is that there was a shared communal place for joy, life and grief. Now the comic book nerd in me is huffing and puffing about conflating three different story arcs in the series.

I normally don't like it but WandaVision gets a special dispensation for just how well it can be done.

This episode is about grief. Anxiety can be a dance partner with it or make it presence know. But grief is a powerful thing. Do not disrespect when it walks into the room. 

Have all the feelings. Yes.

Don't ignore it. Don't pretend like it isn't there and life goes on. 

It will find you and make you listen.

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: 

Social Anxiety Kyle is a website that has some free resources, a link to the Social Ninjas podcast and a course for those of you that have social anxiety.

My father was famous as John Le Carre, my mother was his crucial covert collaborator. Essay on The Guardian website.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control page on Grief and Loss, learn about the symptoms and what you can do to help your healing. 

Grief is love with no place to go by Fred Guttenberg. Mr. Guttenberg has written a book called Find the Helpers: what 9/11 taught me about recovery, purpose and hope.  

Mental Health America has coping tips and suggestions on dealing with grief. 

Modern Loss is a website that talks about grief. All of the forms of grief and the ways other people have found to make their way through. Excellent resource. Start with 10 Ways to Overcome Grief-Related Anxiety, how to find the way back to yourself.

One more for the road, the American Psychological Association Grief: Coping with the loss of your loved one.

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.