I am an anxious doctor. Or at least I WAS an anxious doctor. After literally decades of suffering from intractable anxiety, and seeing over 50 different types ...
105. How Can We Cultivate a Sense of Safety to Overcome Anxiety?
In this episode of the Anxiety Podcast, we dive into the fundamental concept of safety.
I share personal stories about my father's struggles with mental health during the holidays and how these experiences left me feeling unsafe and on edge as a child.
Feeling safe is such an important part of healing from anxiety, so I talk about ways to create that sense of safety for yourself. I include simple but effective strategies like mindful breathing and self-soothing techniques. More than anything, I want to remind listeners that healing takes time and effort, but it’s possible to find those small moments of safety and start easing the constant state of hypervigilance.
Thank you for listening, and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
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TIMESTAMPS
Introduction to Safety (00:00:00)
Dr. Kennedy introduces the topic of safety and its relation to anxiety, particularly during the holiday season.
Childhood Experiences of Unsafety (00:01:02)
He shares personal anecdotes about his father's mental health struggles affecting his sense of safety as a child.
The Importance of Feeling Safe (00:02:02)
Dr. Kennedy emphasizes that feeling safe is crucial for healing from anxiety and overcoming childhood trauma.
Hypervigilance and Its Impact (00:04:13)
He discusses how hypervigilance prevents individuals from experiencing safety and contributes to ongoing anxiety.
Creating Safety in the Body (00:06:25)
Dr. Kennedy explains the need for physical safety to combat hypervigilance and promote healing.
The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System (00:10:08)
He describes how the nervous system's balance affects feelings of safety and anxiety.
Connection and Safety (00:11:10)
Dr. Kennedy highlights the importance of social connections in establishing safety and overcoming anxiety.
Developing a Sense of Safety (00:12:33)
He suggests methods for creating safety through body awareness and present-moment sensations.
Addressing Childhood Trauma (00:15:44)
Dr. Kennedy reflects on how childhood experiences of trauma impact current perceptions of safety.
Using the Mind to Acknowledge Safety (00:16:55)
He discusses the interplay between mind and body in recognizing and establishing a sense of safety.
Overcoming Hypervigilance (00:17:57)
Dr. Kennedy explains how hypervigilance blocks connection and healing, leading to addictions and distractions.
Practical Ways to Create Safety (00:19:10)
He offers strategies for improving breathing and staying present to cultivate safety within oneself.
Creating a Sense of Safety (00:20:20)
Dr. Kennedy discusses the importance of recognizing safety in the moment, despite discomfort.
Daily Practices for Safety (00:21:21)
He emphasizes the need for daily practices to foster a sense of safety and reduce hypervigilance.
Reversing Childhood Coping Strategies (00:21:21)
Dr. Kennedy explains how to reverse childhood coping strategies related to hypervigilance and safety.
Small Steps to Safety (00:22:33)
He encourages taking small steps to create safety, which can accumulate over time for greater security.
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21:40
104. Hormones, Anxiety, and the Art of Mindful Eating: A Functional Approach to Well-Being
Hey everyone, welcome back to The AnxietyRX Podcast! In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Megan Lyons, a functional medicine expert who specializes in endocrine health and nutrition.
Dr. Lyons opens up about her own journey with anxiety and hormonal imbalances, which were heavily tied to her high-achieving lifestyle. We dive into how our childhood experiences can shape the way we show up as adults, and explore the complex link between hormones and mental health.
We also talk about why taking a personalized approach to nutrition and lifestyle changes is so important for long-term healing.
Dr. Lyons makes a powerful case for looking at the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—when it comes to achieving real wellness.
It’s a great conversation, and I think you’ll find it really insightful. Tune in!
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
If you liked this conversation with Dr. Lyons, you can take a short quiz and receive a file with a useful guide, by clicking the link below:
https://form.typeform.com/to/DrqW4qlv?typeform-source=www.thelyonsshare.org
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:33 - Dr. Lyons' Work
01:24 - Personal Journey into Functional Medicine
06:22 - Understanding Anxiety and Its Roots
07:50 - Patient Assessment Process
10:40 - Adrenal Burnout Discussion
12:34 - Hormonal Changes and Anxiety
14:22 - Impact of Antidepressants
16:31 - Supporting Patients on Medications
17:05 - Recommended Supplements for Anxiety
18:28 - Ideal Patient Profile
20:05 - Importance of Connection in Healing
21:26 - Initial Steps with New Clients
22:51 - Insulin Resistance and Surprising Health Markers
23:32 - Intermittent Fasting Insights
24:56 - Importance of Real Nutrition
26:36 - B Vitamins and MTHFR
27:50 - Top Supplements for Perimenopausal Women
29:48 - Cod Liver Oil and Omega Supplements
31:33 - Adaptogens for Anxiety
33:08 - Nutrition and Anxiety Connection
37:03 - Hydration and Food Colorings
39:11 - Blood Sugar Balancing
41:00 - Empowering Nutrition Awareness
42:14 - Celebrating Small Wins in Nutrition
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46:09
103. Dads, Are You Listening? Lessons on Parenting and Connection
In this episode, I chat with Ian Abbott about the challenges of parenting, especially from a dad's point of view. We talk about how being aware of emotions is key and how parental anxiety can affect kids.
Ian shares some great tips from his parenting classes for dads, focusing on how important it is for fathers to connect with their children's feelings.
We discuss how to find the right balance between pushing kids to grow and giving them support, how curiosity helps us understand emotions, and how parenting roles are changing.
The conversation centers on creating a safe space for open talks and emotional growth.
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Challenges in Parenting
01:38 - Emotional Awareness in Parenting
02:59 - Men Seeking Help
04:07 - Energetic Influence on Children
05:49 - Stereotypes of Fatherhood
06:52 -Guiding Children Through Challenges
07:27 - Emotional Development in Boys
09:17 - Goals of Parenting Classes
10:07 - Cultural Stigma Around Men's Emotions
10:26 - Benefits of Men's Groups
11:20 - Single Dads vs. Single Moms
12:14 - Nurturing and Challenging Dynamics
13:01 - Importance of Emotional Resilience
14:01 - Experiences of Discomfort
15:52 - Personal Growth Through Challenges
17:42 - Validating Emotions in Parenting
18:52 - Understanding Immersion in Parenting
19:10 - Information vs. Conversation in Courses
20:19 - The Importance of Slowing Down
23:03 - Curiosity Over Fixing
23:59 - Building Resilience in Parenting
26:44 - Emotional Immaturity in Parenting
27:16 - Role Reversal in Parenting
29:02 - Modeling Healthy Behavior
30:20 - Humor as a Coping Mechanism
31:54 - Parenting Daughters Softly
32:08 - Common Challenges in Parenting
33:17 - Self-Awareness and Reflection
34:43 - Visualizing Conflict and Repair
35:03 - The Importance of Repair
36:01 - Handling Discomfort in Parenting
36:59 - Listening vs. Fixing
38:00 - Asking for Understanding
39:16 - Girls and Emotional Expression
40:18 - Creating Open Conversations
41:01 - Body Awareness and Emotional Regulation
42:35 - Using Self as a Reference Point
43:49 - The Power of Connection
44:34 - Normalizing Male Emotions
45:14 - Emotional Sovereignty
46:30 - Shame and Emotional Disconnect
47:07 - Finding Ian's Course
48:37 - Shared Experiences in Parenting Classes
49:27 - Learning and Empowerment
50:00 - Managing Children's Emotional Outbursts
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52:19
102. Creating Safe Spaces: Unlocking Human Potential
In this episode of The AnxietyRX Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Nick Holton and Dr. Adam Wright as we explore the powerful connection between trauma, resilience, and well-being.
I dive into why I believe the traditional medical focus on medication isn't enough and why a holistic approach, including spiritual healing, is so important.
Dr. Holton shares his thoughts on how having a clear sense of purpose and value-based goals can help us unlock our full potential.
Dr. Wright offers insights from sports psychology, explaining how controlled exposure to stress is key to building resilience.
We wrap up by discussing the concept of "anti-fragility" — how, with the right support, we can actually thrive through adversity.
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Dr. Nick Holton's Background
01:53 - Dr. Adam Wright's Experience
03:08 - Disenchantment with Systems
04:32 - Importance of Purpose
05:09 - Concept of Anti-Fragility
07:31 - Proactive Resilience Building
09:10 - Childhood Trauma and Resilience
10:14 - Defining Anti-Fragility
12:42 - Cultural Influence on Resilience
13:55 - Trauma's Impact on High Achievers
14:38 - Talent and Trauma Correlation
18:27 - Trauma and Cellular Memory
19:06 - Understanding Trauma and Sensitivity
20:01 - Expanding Capacity and Resilience
21:15 - Cortisol Response and Inherited Trauma
22:15 - Reframing Trauma Perspectives
24:44 - The Importance of Safety in Healing
25:17 - Neurogenesis and Safety
27:37 - Applying Skills to Real-Life Challenges
28:30 - Navigating Stress Responses
31:02 - Health Management vs. Sick Management
32:12 - Client Goals and Progression
34:04 - Case Studies in Performance Improvement
37:44 - Defining Mental Health
38:18 - The Reward of Worry
40:10 - Defining Mental Wellness
42:01 - The Role of Joy
44:13 - Contrast in Life
45:06 - Tolerating Negative Feelings
48:27 - Creating a New Narrative
50:19 - Optimizing Performance
51:12 - Finding Resources
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53:49
101. Laughing Through the Chaos: How Faith, Humor, and Psychedelics Shape Our Journeys with Anxiety
Today I sit down with comedian Damonde Tschritter to chat about our personal experiences with anxiety, alcohol, and psychedelics.
We share some funny and heartfelt stories from our stand-up comedy careers, including one wild tale where Damonde performed with severe alcohol poisoning—talk about pushing through!
We also dive into the world of psychedelics, with Damonde opening up about his life-changing experience with ayahuasca, while I talk about the more challenging side of my own journey.
Along the way, we discuss the power of faith, grounding techniques, and how a shift in perspective can make all the difference when it comes to managing anxiety and facing the uncertainty life throws our way.
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
02:40 - Alcohol Poisoning Story
03:09 - Medical Intervention
04:28 - Unexpected Performance
05:25 - Adrenaline and Performance
07:23 - Sobriety and Stand-Up
09:14 - Panic Attacks Experience
11:32 - Comparison of Professions
15:33 - The Art of Timing in Comedy
18:49 - Life-Altering Health Scare
20:27 - Impact of Near-Death Experience
23:04 - Ayahuasca Experience Discussion
24:18 - Transformation After Ayahuasca
25:10 - Spiritual Insights from Ayahuasca
28:10 - Change in Alcohol Consumption
29:26 - Varied Experiences with Ayahuasca
31:06 - Neuroscience of Psychedelics
32:16 - Psychedelics and Experience
33:36 - Control and Anxiety
34:38 - Perception of Time
35:17 - Facing Fears Through Purging
36:26 - Imagery and Messages
37:38 - The Encounter with an Entity
39:09 - The Messenger Show
40:16 - Messages to Share
42:43 - Connecting Through Shared Experiences
44:44 - Spiritual Component in Medicine
46:43 - Microdosing as an Introduction
50:35 - Personal Reflections on Ayahuasca
51:30 - The Concept of Greater Existence
52:44 - Perception Limitations
54:25 - Facing Fears
59:51 - The Reward Beyond Fear
01:00:46 - Morning Rituals and Calmness
01:02:33 - The Importance of Faith
01:04:27 - Reflections on Adversity
01:06:14 - Faith in the Journey
01:06:29 - Daily Mantra
I am an anxious doctor. Or at least I WAS an anxious doctor. After literally decades of suffering from intractable anxiety, and seeing over 50 different types of healers I found my way to heal my anxiety through very unconventional (for a medical doctor at least) means.
In 2013 I was so anxious I considered suicide and a friend suggested I try LSD, and although that scared the crap out of me it showed me the path to healing. You don't have to do LSD to heal, I took it for you! I'm a medical doctor, neuroscientist and intuitive. (I know, common combination!)
I found my way out and it is counterintuitive and very non conventional (but not scary!).
I will show you the way out too, you just have to listen to me, dammit!
Österreich