Show 105 Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Think of this show as a pebble in the road, this is a way for you to take care of yourself by relaxing your muscles. Some of them could be so tight and tense you don't even know that you are wound that tight.





This is a very simple video that demonstrates how to do it. Just taking a minute or two to relax your muscles will reap a lot of benefits.






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:

For you current and former soldiers there is a guide at the Veterans Administration on how to do PMR.

For folks in the law profession, there is the Solo Practice University page on how to relax with some tips and a PMR script from UC Berkeley School of Law

If you want to know more about progressive muscle relaxation you can check out a PDF guide at AnxietyBC.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 104 The Anxiety of Toilet Phobia

We are human and sometimes being human causes us to do things that might look or seem strange.

But there is a reason. Once you know or understand the reason for the hell you seem to be walking through it might help you to cope.

But before coping you have to know and understand what is going on. For some of our brothers and sisters on the Anxiety road they are dealing with bathroom anxiety or toilet phobias.

This is just a starting point with some definitions and resources to help you start on your treatment journey.




Tis not the time for the deep sleep. 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: 

MindShift App - from AnxietyBC This link is to the information page.

Science Daily article Should Exercise be What The Doctor Orders for Depression?

You have to exercise your brain as well. From Duke University via Science Daily "Brain activity buffers against worsening anxiety."
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The International Paruresis Association provide information and resources about Bashful Bladder Syndrome.

Baz Chalabi has written an e-book called Shit Happens about Shy Bowel and has a website that speaks to some of the issues about that specific disorder.

Dr. Simon Knowles is at the helm of Toilet Anxiety and there are some free information resources on the handout page.

Hypnosis Treatment via an audio recording to help you self treat the disorder.

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 103 - Defining the Bogeyman of Mental Health

One of the definitions of a bogeyman is a person or thing that is widely regarded as an object of fear. Go on and try to insert that term into a conversation.

It will kill that conversation in the space of a moment. This is my attempt to define the terms and hope it helps you find what is your place in those terms.






If it is getting too heavy lay down that brick and make the call, 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: 

You still can contribute to Movember and if you or a friend need access to health care go to healthcare.gov

Article in Stars and Strips regarding the mental health waivers for people with certain mental health conditions to be able to join the Army.

White Noise Generator from Relaxio for Android and iOS devices.

The World Health Organization Fact Sheet on Mental Disorders.

National Alliance on Mental Health page about Mental Health Conditions.

The Mayo Clinic also has a tutorial on Mental Illness with a list of symptoms to help you evaluate if you think you have a problem.

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 101 Movember Shout Out and Resource Grab Bag

Not only is is NaNoWriMo and 30 Days of Podcasting but it is also Movember 2017 and this month the fellas want to grow their whiskers in support of Men's Health which has to include men's mental health, and it does. If you would like to participate, contribute or run your fanny off, which would also do a world of good for your anxiety head on over to us.movember.com for more info.

And yes ladies, you can participate.






There is one trigger alert you do need to ignore, the one that is trying to tell you to end your life. 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 National Institute of Mental Health has an information page on what to look for when you need therapy, they use the word Psychotherapy. The ADAA also have a page on choosing a therapist.

Derek Hough - Hold On music video - a musical rendition when you are having a really bad day. There is a Billboard interview with Mr. Hough explaining why he made the recording.

From 2014 there is a good article from Mindful about walking meditations.

The Harvard Health Blog has a piece on how yoga can help to reduce stress and body inflammation.

Insights from the Edge is a podcast from Sounds True; Anne Lamott was interviewed on an episode and that is always a good thing. The topic is Radical Self-Care Changes Everything.

Josie Ong's AffirmationPod

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 100 A Look at Out of the Woods and Depression Tips

In this episode, a look at some people with depression, tips and actual things you can do; or not. These are just suggestions. Your healthcare is up to you. I'm just a Sherpa on an ever expansive road.

This is the 100th episode of the podcast. When I made the decision to do this I knew why it was necessary; I’ve experienced people dismissing my symptoms, or a provider wanting me to take a specific medication because it was cheaper than behavioral therapy or exploring other alternatives.

I knew there were other things I could do. But I didn't know what they were. It shouldn't have taken as long as it did. I hope your road isn't as long.






Don't let the head fucker win. 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: 

Find Your Words is a collaborative project from Story Corp and Kaiser Health Foundation to help communicate, educate and provide resources about depression and mental illness.

The Hilarious World of Depression podcast with John Moe interviewing author, videoblogger, educator and a whole bunch of other great stuff, John Green.

Brent Williams is the author of the graphic novel; Out of the Woods. For more information about the New Zealand author you can visit his web site, Barnes and Nobel and Amazon.

If you are feeling ginned up take a look at some of the Anxiety Tips to Help You Cope from ADAA.org

Let Go video from meditation expert Jon Kabat-Zinn

UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center has a number of free audio recordings to help you get started in mindfulness practice.

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 099 Float On Epson Salts and What Is Stress?

Your body makes decisions all day long calibrating the appropriate amount of stress necessary to keep you safe. Sometimes there is too much to handle. Or sometimes there may be a enclosed water pool in your future. All things are possible.

In this episode, a look at stress and how it can play a role in anxiety conditions, panic attacks and phobias.




You are not a candle in the wind,  there is 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 National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Floating Away Your Anxiety And Stress.

Miami Herald's article about Psychological Trauma is  Invisible in Long Term Toll of Megastorms.

Nic and Pancho Meditation video; you are not the only one that can't do more than a minute.

Psychology Today Stress Basics  - good description of the stress process.

Women's Health.gov page on stress and anxiety.

National Institute of Mental Health 5 Things You Should Know about Stress You can read the page on the site or download it as a PDF

Villanova University Office of Health Promotion has a 16 page stress management guide that you can download that has actionable steps to handling stress reactions.

Helpguide.org page on Using Self-Help Techniques for Dealing with Stress.

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 098 - Four Things About Anxiety Disorders

The anxiety road is a path of many junctures and on-ramps. We all have different treatment requirements. If you are a newbie I got info for ya. If you've been around the bend; there are one of two new resources.

Got a new microphone that puts a little bass in my non-bass voice. Hope to get use to it but I have a back-up candidate. Which cost more money but one of my software programs doesn't like it. Which produces a whole 'nother form of anxiety.

In this show, a true confession that I still have attacks plus four things that you should know about having an anxiety disorder, condition or situation.






If you cannot see colors and death looks bright and shiny, please 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: 

Anxiety page at Helpguide.org on the varieties of anxiety, panic and phobia disorders. Helpguide.org goes into detail about the condition and the many non-medication resources that are available.

The Mighty covers a variety of health topics including anxiety disorders. From their community pages a list of 19 Red Flags To Consider if you should get help for your problem.

AnnaLisa Scott's The Worry Games FAQ page where she gives her opinions about the nature of anxiety disorders; she believes that is is more of a thinking disorder.

Anxiety.org page on what causes anxiety disorders and possible risk factors, text intensive but there is a lot of info on that page including treatment options.

16 Simple Mindfulness Techniques to help soothe your troubled mind.

The Daring to be Happy podcast with Lila B has an episode on choosing not to think.

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.