Show 168 Abdominal Bloat Blues With A Side of Anxiety

One of the thing you might experience with an anxiety condition is the bloat. Specifically abdominal bloating. And one of the ways that you get the bloat is by sucking in too much air or your have a combination of air, fermented food or gas in your stomach.

How did that air get in there? There are some possible reasons:

For some of us, it is that choking sensation and you are trying to get in enough air and you are taking it in via your nose and mouth.

Another possible cause is emotional eating. For some of us, it is woofing down our food to feel better at a high rate of speed. So in this episode, what you can do about the bloat.






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: 

Abdominal Bloating Medical Encyclopedia page at Medline Plus, gives definition and a list of causes for the bloat.

Harvard Health page on Gas and Flatulence, the foods that can cause it and what to do about it.

SoYummy's page on 7 Surprising Ways Drinking From A Straw Could Be Ruining Your Health

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 167 - Apps for Anxiety and Mental Health

I was reading an article on US News and World Report about the number of people that have some sort of a mental health condition. The TLDR versions is that approximately 42 million people have some form of an anxiety condition.

Many people don’t know they have anxiety condition and for some people that do acknowledge they have anxiety they do not seek treatment.

Those of us that do want help that it is a challenge to find affordable, capable help. You can check out episodes 160 to 163 about considering therapy, how to find a therapist and making sure you have a good match.

Many people are turning to mental health apps to help with their symptoms or as a way of accessing some form of treatment. In this episode, a look at mental health care apps.

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: 

Wired article about how a company, Hims and Hers, are trying to bypass current FDA regulations concerning advertising and off-market use of medications.

US News and World Report article on What Mental Health Statistics Can Tell Us.

2024 Update: The website One Mind PsyberGuide is closed. The non-profit could not obtain funding. At this time you can still access the site, but there will be no updates. One Mind Psyber Guide a resource to help you find and evaluate mental health apps. The project looks at on-line, Android and iOS apps. Some of the mental health apps have an evaluation of their performance.

Food and Drug Administration instructions about Mobile Medical Applications.

Federal Trade Commission Interactive Mobile Health Apps Interactive Tool. This will give you an idea of the criteria the FTC uses to determine if an app comes under the jurisdiction of the FTC

Woebot App walked you through an attack or anxiety situation, applies cognitive behavioral therapy to help you learn skills on handing an anxiety attack. Android and iOS devices. Update 2026 The Woebot app has been retired. 

MoodTools can help track depression levels and provided you with coping ideas to keep you safe. Available for Android and iOS for a subscription or in-app donation.

Sleepzy, Sleep Cycle Tracker to monitor your sleeping habits. This is for iOS users. The device tracks your sleeping by microphone so there is no direct contact with the body.

My Noise Interactive Sound Generator Also the home of the Cat Purr Generator.

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.

ADAA Video on the Causes of Social Anxiety

The ADAA has an explainer video that talks about the possible causes of social anxiety disorder.

They can't say for 100% the causes, but they do have speculation as to some of the indicators, like overbearing parents, neglectful parents or a possible family genetic connection.




There is also could be a trauma aspect, and maybe a biological components.

It is about eight minutes and lot of information. This is just a starting point if you are new to the information. There could be a wide variety of causes or a combination of causes that isn't reflected in the video.

If you would like more info about Social Anxiety Disorder check out some of the following:

ADAA page on Understanding the Fact - Social Anxiety Disorder

The National Social Anxiety Center site with treatment options, resources and personal stories about the condition.

Andrew Kukes Foundation For Social Anxiety per the website "AKFSA, our mission is to educate social anxiety sufferers, mental health and educational professionals, physicians, family and the general public about the diagnosis and treatment of social anxiety disorder."

Social Anxiety Association page on social anxiety and treatment options.

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.

Alert on DEA Phone Scammers

In episode 046 I talk about buying medication safely. And one of the places you should not buy your medication is on-line, especially from public classified ads. TLDR version: Be safe. Be smart.

There is no safe, way for Americans to get medications over the Internet or via phone to an unregistered pharmacist without a doctor's prescription.

Let me count the reasons:

1. For one, it isn't legal.
2. You don't know what you are really going to get, could be fireplace ash. Could be Drano. Could be 10x the dosage of a standard Fenty pill. That sucker has taken 10 to 12 people out at a time. Permanently out.
3. You could be setting yourself up to be targeted by a scammer.

Here is how it works. You buy drugs from, oh I don't know, the back of Claptrap Weekly. You pick them up or have them mailed to you.

A week or two goes buy. You get a phone call from a so-called law enforcement person that tells you that the drugs you have are illegal and you will be locked up unless you pay the fine.

By wire. Or Western Union. Or a payment app.

And that is if you are lucky. Some folks paid by credit card thinking it was a one-time payment.
Nope. You don't get a phone call.

Your later find out your credit card is maxed out.

For the record, drug enforcement officers or the police do not take credit cards or wire transfers payments.

If they want you they come to get you. Unannounced. Don't be that person the neighbors are looking at funny at 5:30 in the morning.

Again for the back row. Be safe. Be smart. Pharmacists that can do telephone processing have to be registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Every pill issued by a pharmacist is accounted for and a doctor and pharmacy connected with it.

A scammer just has your name and phone number. There is a press release from the DEA that goes into more details, including that the scam isn't limited to consumers. They are also calling doctors with false messages about patients reporting them for over-prescribing.

If you or you know somebody that has fallen for the scam, you can report it to the DEA, there is a link on the DEA website.

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 166 Intrusive Thoughts for OCD and Symptoms of Anxiety

In this episode, a look at the website Intrusive Thoughts for OCD folks, lots of good information at the site that those of us with anxiety disorders should check out. Then a quick drive by on anxiety symptoms.

It is summertime where I live and I am going to be posting a wee bit less, probably once or twice a month during the summer. I need a break and I do want to work on some new ideas and refinements for the podcast. Not sure if it will be once a month or short episodes every other week. Don't know yet.





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 American Psychiatric Association page on Anxiety Disorders

Intrusive Thought.org is a non-profit website that provides information about the spectrum of OCD conditions.

The International OCD Foundation has an information page about Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and has page to help you find qualified professionals experienced in the disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health - page on anxiety symptoms by the specific 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 165 Catastrophizing as Anxiety Symptom

In this episode, a look at catastrophizing, which is a part of a little pack of demons known as Cognitive Distortions. These SOBs will  have you doing a time warp and not the good one.

I gotta fess up. I am not perfect. Nope. As human as they come. And sometimes that means that I get caught in a time trap of catastrophizing a very small thing into the end of the world. Only thing is, the world doesn't end.

The thing gets handled and I feel like warmed over ice cream. There is a better way. Takes work and practice but we, you and I can learn not to do this. Before we can do better, we have to study the opponent.





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 the publication known as High Times, there take on mental health and cannabis for anxiety and depression.

From CNBC, CVS is planning on opening HealthHubs as their transition from retail to a health provider continues.

Jasmin Pierre's app The Safe Place is designed for African-Americans to take the stigma out of talking about and seeking help for mental health conditions. There are tools, tips, and topics that center around taking care of your health and your piece of mind in these challenging times. App is currently found on Android and iOS devices. There is also a video by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) with Jasmin talking about her journey to creating the app.

Healthy Psych's page on Identifying Cognitive Distortions. On that site there is a worksheet that can help you map out how you got lost.

Good Therapy has a listing of 20 Cognitive Distortions and How They Affect Your Life

For those that prefer a visual presentation, there in an infographic that makes some of the concepts more visual. You should also check out the PsychCentral post on 10 Proven Methods for Fixing Cognitive Distortion with a Law and Order-ish inspired worksheet.

David D. Burns, M.D. is a medical doctor and author of the book The Feel Good Workbook which claims to help those folks with anxiety and depression conditions. I'm posting it as an option, not an endorsement. I haven't read the workbook. A lot of the psych folks like it.

Doctor Burns has a the Feel Good website with a lot of resources, like a podcast and Facebook live videos.

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.

Trailer for Comedy Won't Save You

I don't know when or if this movie will appear at your local theater or streaming service but keep a beacon for it. The documentary is about comedians who have anxiety, depression or both.

And creativity can take you very far but like the title states, it won't save you unless you get treatment and take better care of yourself.

Downing a quart of libation isn't exactly taking care of business.

Or eating 40 donuts in a week or maxing out your card or the 1001 things we do to not acknowledge that there is a problem.



If you are new here check out the prior podcasts where there is info about the various ways you can learn about your condition, treatment options and resources.

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.