Podcasts about health anxiety

Improving vs. Optimizing in Anxiety RecoveryIn this episode of Disordered, Drew and Josh tackle a topic suggested by the community: the hidden trap of the "optimization culture" and how it intersects with anxiety and OCD.There is a distinct difference between wanting to improve your health and falling into compulsive, perfectionist territory where every metric must be flawlessly managed. For an anxious mind fixated on certainty, the modern wellness industry's obsession with biohacking, strict routines, and endless supplements can quickly become a tool for emotional avoidance. If you are optimizing your life just to prevent feeling anxious, you are inadvertently teaching your brain that you cannot handle discomfort.Drew and Josh break down why checking out of the optimization loop and building psychological flexibility is essential for long-term recovery. They also share a couple of incredible "Did It Anyway" audio wins from the listener community, highlighting real-world victories over agoraphobia and situational panic.--Want to ask questions about this episode or interact with Josh, Drew, and others that share your experience? We're hanging out in the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community---Improvement vs. Optimization: Improving is about a flexible desire for growth; optimization often stems from a rigid need to control variables and avoid difficult feelings.The Routine Trap: When your wellness routine gets the credit for you feeling okay, you miss out on learning that you are capable of tolerating distress on your own.The Illusion of Control: Optimization culture survives by capturing your attention through fear, selling the false promise that you can micromonitor your way out of the human condition.Managing Actual Health Conditions: When dealing with legitimate medical issues, recovery means learning to distinguish between practical, non-anxious monitoring and urgent, compulsive checking.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is available as a paperback or on Kindle⁠https://www.disordered.fm/the-disordered-guide-to-health-anxiety/⁠---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Got a question or did it anyway to share? ⁠Send us an email or voicemail on our website⁠.https://disordered.fm

What if the scariest thoughts in your head mean nothing at all? William Schultz spent ten years trapped inside obsessive compulsive disorder. It got so bad he became afraid of his own shadow, checking it every time he flipped a light switch. Then he made one brave decision that put him in remission within two months. No drugs. No endless analysis. Today he's a psychotherapist in St. Paul, president of OCD Twin Cities, and the expert who pushed the International OCD Foundation to revise its own treatment guidelines in 2025.In this conversation, Dr. Roger McFillin and William expose why standard mental health care makes OCD worse. They reveal what actually frees people in an in depth conversation.  If you've ever been attacked by a thought you couldn't turn off, this episode is your way out.

What do you do when your anxiety finally quietens down for a few days? For many of us, a calm day triggers a completely new set of anxious habits. We treat the absence of panic as a fragile victory, freezing in place so we do not ruin it, or constantly checking around the corner to see if the fear is returning.--Want to ask questions about this episode? We're hanging out in the Disordered Community Space:https://disordered.fm/community---In this episode, we address why the work of anxiety recovery continues even when you are feeling calm. When we spend our quiet days monitoring our internal state or scanning for threats, we signal to the brain that anxiety is still an active danger. True desensitization and psychological flexibility require us to drop the checking behaviors, turn off the comparison engine, and actually live our lives on the days we feel good.We also share some fantastic "Did It Anyway" stories from our community, including a listener who navigated relationship OCD (ROCD) all the way to her wedding day, and another who broke a cycle of winter avoidance to go out for tacos.The Comparison Engine: Why constantly evaluating whether today is better or worse than yesterday keeps your brain on high alert.Sneaky Avoidance Plugins: How we mistakenly build rigid structures and cut out foods, books, or activities to artificially protect our calm.Testing Willingness vs. Procedures: Why recovery is about discovering your capacity to handle discomfort, not finding a perfect routine to prevent it.Living the Life You Want: Why a non-anxious day is the perfect opportunity to expand your world, try that avoided food, or take an unexpected drive, rather than sitting by the door waiting for the feelings to return.Anxiety recovery is not a linear process, and it is not about winning an episode or permanently erasing a human emotion. It is about building the resilience to handle whatever experience comes your way, whether it is calm, neutral, or challenging.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is available as a paperback or on Kindle⁠https://www.disordered.fm/the-disordered-guide-to-health-anxiety/⁠---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Got a question or did it anyway to share? ⁠Send us an email or voicemail on our website⁠.https://disordered.fm

In today's solo episode, Elizabeth is answering the questions her community sent in. She shares why her health anxiety has quieted in pregnancy, the daily practices that keep her nervous system steady, and how she is learning to trust her own judgment even while leaning into the medical model for her higher risk birth.The conversation moves into how she dresses, the way she has come to see her wardrobe as a form of self expression, and why she stopped chasing the version of beauty that wasn't hers in the first place. She gets honest about enhancing your natural features without losing them, why the real glow always comes from within, and how she and Clayton handle money in their marriage with full transparency. It is a warm, honest check in on what it actually looks like to take care of yourself across body, style, and partnership.If you want to go DEEPER with me, my Substack is where I share even more behind-the-scenes, personal reflections, and wellness experiments, with new posts dropping every Thursday: https://substack.com/@thewellnessprocessFollow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessprocesspodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewellnessprocessYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWellnessProcessSponsors:Text TWP to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Use coupon code TWP to save 15% at boncharge.comSave 25% on your first month at ritual.com/TWP Use my code TWPBOGO to get their bamboo and Sutton collection at cozyearth.comVisit sinacrisps.com and use code WELLNESS for 20% off your first order.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can distraction be a compulsion in anxiety recovery? It is a question that comes up constantly in the anxiety community. Many people are told to simply "distract your mind" when they feel anxious, but if you are doing it specifically to escape a feeling, it can quickly turn into a safety behavior or a compulsion.---Want to talk about this episode with Drew, Josh, and others that are sharing your struggle and understand? We're hanging out in the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community---In this episode of Disordered, the guys break down the crucial difference between using distraction as an urgent escape mechanism and choosing to intentionally shift your attention toward something meaningful. Drew and Josh look at how the intent and the presence of urgency dictate whether an action is helping your recovery or keeping you stuck in the anxiety loop.Intent vs. Escape: Why how and why you distract yourself matters far more than the activity itself.The Role of Urgency: How sprinting to an activity to stop an anxious feeling turns a healthy action into a compliance mechanism.Attentional Control: The practice of moving your focus to value-driven actions even while anxiety chats away in the background.Rewiring the Amygdala: Why teaching your brain that you are safe requires turning your attention away from the threat response.Listener "Did It Anyways": Inspiring stories from the community, including overcoming a years-long fear of flying and navigating major life challenges while continuing to take brave steps forward.Recovery is not about achieving perfect distraction to prevent difficult feelings. It is about building psychological flexibility and learning that you can coexist with discomfort while choosing where to put your focus.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is available as a paperback or on Kindle⁠https://www.disordered.fm/the-disordered-guide-to-health-anxiety/⁠---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Got a question or did it anyway to share? ⁠Send us an email or voicemail on our website⁠.https://disordered.fm

Anxiety and chronic illness are rarely talked about together and almost never in the way that actually matters.Because the anxiety most women with chronic illness carry is not about their life. It is about their own body. And that specific fear, being afraid of the one thing you can never get distance from, creates an emotional pattern that quietly changes your relationship with your body in ways that make healing significantly harder. In this mini, you'll discover:Why anxiety about your own body is fundamentally different from any other kind of fear — and why it never switches offHow that fear pulls you out of your body and turns you into someone who surveils it rather than someone who lives in itOne powerful question that reveals exactly where your relationship with your body stands right nowIf you want to understand which emotional patterns may be driving your specific symptoms, use my free ChatGPT prompt to find out in under 30 seconds. Right now, it is completely free and that will not always be the case. CLICK HERE before that changes.For women navigating Chronic Illness, Autoimmune Disease, IBS, Digestive Disorders, Migraines, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Pain, PCOS, and Endometriosis.

Asking for help can be difficult, especially when you are struggling with anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, or agoraphobia. In this episode, Drew and Josh break down the nuances of asking for anxiety help. There is a fine line between asking for genuine support and looking for compulsive reassurance or soothing to make the discomfort disappear.Drew and Josh discuss why so many people feel like a burden when asking for support and how anxiety often twists the desire for help into a demand for certainty. You will learn how to shift away from asking for short-term fixes and instead ask for the encouragement and reminders you need to tolerate difficult feelings and build long-term psychological flexibility.--Want talk about this episode with Josh and Drew and others that share your experience in a supportive environment? We're hanging out on the Disordered Community space.https://disordered.fm/community-- The guys also share inspiring "Did It Anyway" stories from the community, demonstrating how learning to accept discomfort—and sometimes even choosing to do less or rest—is a vital part of the recovery journey.Reassurance vs. Support: Understanding the difference between asking for tools to cope and asking for temporary soothing to make the feelings go away.Overcoming the "Burden" Myth: Why anxiety makes you feel like an inconvenience and how to reframe asking for help as a step toward growth.Asking for Encouragement over Certainty: How requesting reminders of your past success and capability can help you step into feared situations.The Courage to Do Less: Why sometimes the best way to do it anyway is to give yourself permission to rest and step off the productivity treadmill.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is available as a paperback or on Kindlehttps://www.disordered.fm/the-disordered-guide-to-health-anxiety/---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Got a question or did it anyway to share? Send us an email or voicemail on our website.

In this episode, we break down the growing world of lab testing, from beginner-friendly options like Function Health and InsideTracker to advanced biological age and longevity testing like the DunedinPACE and TruHealth test. We discuss the pros and cons of conventional lab ranges, AI interpretations, and how to determine which labs are actually worth your time and money depending on your goals. The conversation also dives into the rise of AI in healthcare, exploring both the incredible potential of AI-driven insights and the limitations of relying too heavily on technology without understanding the bigger picture of your health. Throughout the episode, we share our personal lab recommendations, funny real-life stories, and practical advice for implementing health recommendations on your own. We also explore how mindset, belief systems, and nervous system regulation can directly influence physiology and long-term wellness.SHOW NOTES:0:39 Welcome to the podcast!2:51 How often to run labs5:11 Function Health6:41 Benefits of conventional ranges9:06 Hims & Hers10:16 Blokes & Joi11:08 Which lab to do if you're just getting started 13:59 Positive ANA tests14:40 Inside Tracker16:05 Lauren's lab recommendations17:38 Pros & Cons of AI Health23:53 Lauren's bathroom story25:15 Renee's lab recommendations26:01 Biological Age Testing27:53 DunedIn Pace Test30:06 TruHealth Test31:10 Leptin resistance33:11 *APOLLO NEURO*35:25 Function Health supplements37:03 Recap & our recommendations38:30 How narratives & belief systems affect your physiology41:29 How to implement recommendations on your own49:10 Thanks for tuning in!RESOURCES:Apollo Neuro - Discount code: BIOHACKERBABESFunction Health - code: PSTJEPMGInside Tracker - code: BIOHACKERBABESBlokes & Joi Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/biohacker-babes-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

There's lots for the team to delve in to this week! First up is the news that as of April 2026, Spotify and Peloton have partnered to launch a new fitness hub featuring over 1,400 on-demand, ad-free, and guided workout classes for Spotify Premium users globally. The content includes strength, yoga, cardio, and Pilates classes, along with specialized curated playlists, accessible directly within the Spotify app.Next up, with the ever increasing rise of health tracking, health anxiety is on the rise. Health Anxiety, or Illness Anxiety Disorder, is a fear and preoccupation with the belief that one has, or is in danger of developing, a serious illness like cancer, ALS, or a heart attack, but as technology allows us to track our biomarkers like never before, is this anxiety creeping in to every day life too? And finally, in Trending, Adrienne is looking across the pond at Miami. Is it becoming the new global wellness hub? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 mates, Niall & Miki, discussing the day to day struggles in life, from a Man's point of view. This week the boys discuss Niall's trip to Portaventura, the issues people have with health anxiety and have we failed the elderly as a society.Support the show

OCD is a difficult condition to navigate, but it becomes significantly more challenging when obsessions center on taboo topics. Themes involving harm, pedophilia (pOCD), sexual orientation (HOCD), or moral and religious failure often carry a heavy burden of shame. This shame frequently drives people into silence, preventing them from seeking the help they need.---Want to talk about this episode with Drew, Josh, and other members of the Disordered community that share your struggle?https://disordered.fm/community---In this episode, Drew is joined by Jess Marriner, an OCD specialist based in the UK. They discuss why the human brain can latch onto these specific themes and why having a "taboo" thought does not reflect your character or your actual desires.Key Topics Discussed:The Nature of Taboo Thoughts: Recognizing that intrusive thoughts about harm or socially unacceptable acts are common mental occurrences and do not make you a dangerous person.The Role of Shame: How the socially unacceptable nature of these themes feeds the OCD cycle and keeps sufferers isolated.Common Compulsions: Identifying sneaky mental rituals like reassurance seeking, thought neutralizing, and "testing" to see if a thought feels true.Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): How to approach treatment by leaning into the discomfort and uncertainty rather than fighting the content of the thoughts.The Goal of Recovery: Moving from a state of constant panic and checking to a place where thoughts are seen as irrelevant mental noise.If you are struggling with taboo obsessions, this conversation highlights that you are not alone and that recovery is possible through evidence-based approaches like ERP and acceptance-based strategies.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

If you’ve been feeling more anxious, foggy, flat or just not quite yourself lately — this conversation could be the missing piece.Dr Jodi Richardson sits down with nutritionist Ali Tehan to explore the powerful connection between gut health, mood and mental clarity — especially during perimenopause and menopause.Ali shares how changes in hormones can impact your gut microbiome, and in turn, your anxiety, energy levels, digestion and overall wellbeing. Together, they break down the science of the gut-brain connection into simple, practical steps you can actually apply in your everyday life.In this episode, they cover:- Why anxiety and brain fog can spike during this stage of life. - How the gut-brain axis influences mood and stress the key role of fiber, plant diversity and whole foods.- What’s really harming your gut health (and what helps).- The difference between probiotics and prebiotics small, realistic changes that can make a big impact.Plus, Ali shares where to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed — including how to assess your own gut health and build better habits without overhauling your entire life.If you’re looking for practical ways to feel more energised, clear-headed and in control of your health, this episode is packed with insights to get you started.Find Ali Tehan online:Website: https://www.alitehan.com.auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_tehan_nutritionist/ Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson: https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Heal Squad! Maria is back with another What Worked This Week and honestly…this one is so good. She ended up taking a solo trip (not planned!) to El Salvador, and what came out of it was kind of wild! She's basically connecting dots on everything right now…like realizing ivermectin may have been helping accelerate her healing, and noticing this super interesting pattern where every time she went into the ocean, her blood sugar dropped (she's still testing it, so standby). But it's those little observations that are starting to add up and give her real clarity. But one of the biggest takeaways? Something she literally coined on this trip:“health anxiety.” That feeling of trying to do everything “perfect” for your health…and actually stressing yourself out more in the process. She breaks it down in such a relatable way, and you'll probably see yourself in it too. She also talks about going back to the basics...light movement, stretching, staying consistent without overdoing it...oh, and a surprise twist…she's officially into black coffee now and she got the chance to watch some TV! See what happens when we create space for ourselves, we get to reset and enjoy the little things.  And then…there's the moment. The one that's going to get you. Maria shares the sweetest, most emotional reunion with her daughter at the airport after being away: flowers, running, pure joy…all of it. It's one of those moments that just reminds you what really matters. And yes, we've got the video up on YouTube, you have to see it. Enjoy! Join Us at Day of Reset: https://www.healsquad.com/reset HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website: https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy's Page: https://stylecrew.macys.com/@mariamenounos EMR-Tek Red Light: https://emr-tek.com/discount/Maria30 for 30% off Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/host AG1:  https://drinkag1.com/healsquad  D-Hist, Mold Test & Food Sensitivity Test Here: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3873481 Jenny McCarthy's Episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1251-jenny-mccarthy-wahlbergs-5-mold-toxicity-warning/id1320060107?i=1000758391615 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1250-why-jenny-mccarthy-wahlberg-is-obsessed-with/id1320060107?i=1000758182089 Designed to Last Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=4VYK2azN8o8&feature=youtu.be You People: https://www.netflix.com/title/81194505 Marcello Hernández: American Boy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81775183 ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos' passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company's Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.

In this episode, Josh and Drew discuss a common hurdle in anxiety recovery: the desire to "win" against your anxiety. For many, especially those with perfectionist tendencies, anxiety is viewed as an adversary that has taken something away. This leads to a constant, habitual checking to see if the anxiety is gone, which inadvertently keeps you stuck in a cycle of monitoring and frustration.---Want to talk about this episode with us and interact with others that are sharing your experience?https://disordered.fm/community---We look at why defining recovery as a "win" can be counterproductive.The Lack of Closure: Unlike a sports match, there is no final bell or celebration when you recover. Recovery often just peters out until you realize you haven't thought about how you feel in weeks.Examination Compulsions: When you are hell-bent on winning, you might find yourself checking how you feel 50 times a day. Because anxiety involves a doubt response, even a "good" check is often met with more doubt, leading to increased frustration.The Perfectionist Hurdle: Perfectionists often want to get recovery "exactly right," looking for a certificate or absolute proof that the battle is over.We explore the idea that true progress isn't measured by the absence of symptoms, but by your willingness to experience them.Surrender vs. Resistance: While "winning" implies a fight, recovery is found in surrender—not to the anxiety, but to the reality of the moment.Functional Impact: We discuss measuring success by how much you are living your life, regardless of how you feel. If an adrenaline spike used to stop you for a week and now it only stops you for an hour, that is progress.The Paradox of Recovery: You know you are winning when you stop asking if you are winning.We share inspiring stories from our community members who practiced these principles.The 5K Race: A listener shares how she completed a 5K and set a personal best despite dealing with stomach cramps and the urge to stop.The London Trip: A community member discusses traveling to London and using the tube while experiencing high anxiety and physical sensations, choosing to lean into the discomfort to attend an important event.The Wedding Day: A past caller shares her experience of getting married while navigating Relationship OCD (ROCD), proving that you can have a beautiful, meaningful day even when your internal experience is difficult.Ultimately, the win isn't when the anxiety leaves; the win is when it doesn't matter that it's there.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

[Rerun] Do you often worry about getting random diseases? Well, Kirk and Humberto sure do. In this episode, Dr. Kirk provides a deep dive on the diagnoses, lived experience, literature, research, and treatment of health anxiety. (Intro) The full episode is available to patrons of the podcast. March 9, 2020This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/KIRK to get 10% off your first month.Support us by... Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOUZWV1DRtHtpP2H48S7iiw/joinBecome a patron: https://www.patreon.com/PsychologyInSeattleContact us/more info... Email: https://www.psychologyinseattle.com/contactAbout Dr. Kirk: https://www.psychologyinseattle.com/about-dr-kirk-hondaWebsite: https://www.psychologyinseattle.comGet stuff... Merch: https://psychologyinseattle-shop.fourthwall.com/KIRKgram (like Cameo): https://www.psychologyinseattle.com/kirkgramThe Psychology In Seattle Podcast ®Trigger Warning: This episode may include topics such as assault, trauma, and discrimination. If necessary, listeners are encouraged to refrain from listening and care for their safety and well-being. Disclaimer: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, therapy, diagnosis, or creates a counselor-client relationship. Topics discussed may generate differing points of view. If you participate (by being a guest, submitting a question, or commenting) you must do so with the knowledge that we cannot control reactions or responses from others, which may not agree with you or feel unfair. Your participation on this site is at your own risk, accepting full responsibility for any liability or harm that may result. Anything you write here may be used for discussion or endorsement of the podcast. Opinions and views expressed by the host and guest hosts are personal views. Although we take precautions and fact check, they should not be considered facts and the opinions may change. Opinions posted by participants (such as comments) are not those of the hosts. Readers should not rely on any information found here and should perform due diligence before taking any action. For a more extensive description of factors for you to consider, please see www.psychologyinseattle.com

In episode 535 I chat with Michael who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.  We discuss his OCD story, nightmares in childhood, relationship themed OCD, the onset of his OCD, harm themed OCD, getting therapy, experiencing a health condition, medical trauma, health anxiety, balancing real health conditions with health anxiety, trauma and OCD (PTOCD), living life and making choices, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) for health anxiety in the midst of an actual health issue, self compassion, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/michael-535 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter 

Let's start with a success story from the UK. While being medically monitored for four hours, our listener realized how much attention she was giving to her physical symptoms. Her story highlights the difference between noticing a sensation and compulsively monitoring it.--Want to talk about this episode and interact with others that share your experience in a supportive and encouraging environment? Check the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community--Which leads us to a conversation about the urge to ALWAYS talk about how you feel - either out loud or silently in an internal dialogue.We discuss the "telling compulsion," which is a common behavior for those struggling with anxiety and OCD. This is the urge to immediately report every physical sensation or intrusive thought to someone else.The Safety Seek: Telling others how you feel is often a safety behavior used to gain temporary reassurance.The "Problem Shared" Myth: While talking about emotions is generally seen as healthy, in the context of an anxiety disorder, it can become a repetitive loop that keeps the brain in a state of high alert.Internal Monitoring: You don't have to say it out loud for it to be a compulsion. Constantly checking in with yourself and asking "how do I feel now?" is the internal version of the same behavior.Conventional wisdom suggests you should always express your feelings. However, for someone with an anxiety disorder, focusing intensely on every "buzz" in the head or "jelly leg" sensation actually reinforces the idea that these feelings are dangerous.Therapeutic Missteps: We acknowledge that even therapists are sometimes trained to push clients to "probe" and "feel more deeply" into sensations that are actually just symptoms of a misfiring threat response.The Goal of Discernment: Recovery involves learning when it is productive to talk about an emotion (like anger from a fight with a partner) and when it is better to disengage from a physical anxiety symptom.A few key principles you may bring with you from this episode: Labeling Feelings: People often wrap every emotion in the label of "anxiety." You are allowed to feel angry, sad, or even happy without it being a "symptom" that needs to be reported.Psychological Flexibility: Recovery is about learning to be with difficult internal experiences rather than trying to control or prevent them.The Amygdala: Constantly talking about your anxiety to seek relief keeps your threat response turned on.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

Have you ever felt like a supermarket was a high-stakes obstacle course you just couldn't wait to escape? In this episode of Disordered, Josh and Drew dive deep into a struggle that almost everyone with an anxiety disorder knows well: anxiety in the supermarket or grocery store.Whether it is the harsh fluorescent lighting, the narrow aisles, or the trapped feeling of standing in a long checkout queue, the grocery store is often a primary trigger for panic and agoraphobia. We discuss why this mundane chore feels so confronting and share our own personal histories of running out of stores and abandoning shopping carts.Sensory Overload: Why the music, lights, and crowds create a maelstrom for the anxious brain.The Exit Mentality: The habit of scanning for fire exits and the urge to rush through shopping as a hit and run experience.Cognitive Sequencing: The difficulty of making simple decisions when your brain is stuck in panic mode.Real Success Stories: We share a did it anyway from a listener who navigated a new store despite her agoraphobia.Practical Strategies: Why trying to think logically does not work in the moment and how to practice willful tolerance instead.We also touch on the 7% Slower rule and how intentionally slowing down your physical pace can teach your brain that you are not actually in danger. If you have ever felt like reality was collapsing while you were just trying to buy ingredients for lasagna, this episode is for you.--Want to talk about what you heard today? We're hanging out in the Disordered community space:https://disordered.fm/community---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

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Dr Ann Ozsivadjian, Clinical Psychologist specialising in autism, joins Ben to unpack the reality of mental health in neurodivergent children and adults - and why so much of it is misunderstood.Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Ann explains how anxiety, depression and low self-esteem often sit on top of something deeper: emotional dysregulation, unmet needs and environments that don't fit. Together, they explore how this shows up in children and the long-term impact of being misunderstood early on.They also break down the difference between meltdowns and shutdowns - what's really happening beneath the surface, and how to respond with understanding, not judgment.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen FullerThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That's 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can't be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benDr Ann Ozsivadjian www.drannozsivadjian.co.ukIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

⚠️ Important Note Before You ListenIf your chest tightness is new, sudden, or severe — especially if it is spreading to your arm, jaw, or back — please stop and call for emergency help or see a doctor immediately. That is always the right thing to do.If this is a familiar feeling — a tightness that lives with your stress, your worry, your anxiety — then you are in exactly the right place.

Want to talk about what you heard here? We're hanging out in the Disordered community space:https://disordered.fm/community---This episode of Disordered dives into the concept of sneaky compulsions. Many people struggling with anxiety or OCD often find themselves performing behaviors that they do not immediately recognize as compulsions. These can look like productive research, seeking reassurance through a joke, or even "checking" to see if you still feel calm.Drew and Josh discuss how these behaviors are often avoidance or escape mechanisms in disguise. Whether it is asking a therapist if you are the worst case they have ever seen or using AI to obsess over a body sensation, these actions are designed to provide short term relief while keeping you stuck in the anxiety cycle.Key topics covered in this episode:* Why we mask compulsions as personality traits or curiosity.* The "reassurance seeker's workaround" of projecting issues onto others.* How gathering more information can actually be a form of avoidance.* Real life examples from the community about catching sneaky compulsions in the moment.* The importance of psychological flexibility and learning to be with difficult feelings instead of trying to fix them.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.---Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

Today, I break down why people with health anxiety obsessively check their bodies, how that checking fuels a loop of fear and hyper-awareness, and how intolerance of uncertainty and misinterpreting normal sensations keep the cycle going. I outline clear, practical steps to break the habit: identify checking behaviors, delay urges, use gradual exposure and acceptance, build internal trust through voluntary discomfort (exercise, cold exposure), and reframe fear into courageous action so anxiety loses its control.   —My Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —My Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

Sign up to Revolut Business at https://www.revolut.com/rb/james/ before 30th June 2026 and add money to your account to receive a £200 welcome bonus. Fees, Promotion terms and Business T&Cs apply.Find out more from Joe here: condri.appTry Entrepreneurs University 14 Day FREE Trial Here ►https://jamessinclair.net/entrepreneurs-university-free-trial/Sign up to my weekly newsletter 'The James Sinclair Letter' here:https://www.jamessinclair.net/the-letterFind out your Entreprenurial DNA, take the '8 Traits of the Greats' quiz here ► https://jamessinclair.scoreapp.comGet your tickets to our next event here ► https://www.jamessinclair.net/eventsApply to be on my podcast here ►https://jamessinclair.net/podcasts/

Hey, it's Katie and I want to welcome you to this special bonus episode. It'll be here for you completely ad-free for the next week so you can get a feel of what it's like to be a PREMIUM member. If you'd like an easy ad-free experience for all of our podcasts - that's over 200 episodes each month, then JOIN PREMIUM today at https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium Soothe your worries with Meditation for Health Anxiety, a supportive practice from the Meditation for Anxiety Podcast.

If the persistent worry, the checking, the Googling, the convincing yourself something is seriously wrong sounds familiar — this episode is for you. Health anxiety is exhausting, not because you are weak, but because your mind is working overtime trying to keep you safe. Today we slow that down. We quiet the noise. We come back to the only truth that matters right now. You are here. You are breathing. And you are safe. In this 10-minute guided meditation for health anxiety relief, clinical hypnotherapist and former frontline paramedic Martin Hewlett helps you break the health anxiety loop using vagus nerve breathing, clinical visualisation, and powerful affirmations for peace of mind. As a former paramedic, Martin understands — better than most — the very real difference between a medical crisis and what health anxiety tells you is a medical crisis. They feel identical. But they are not. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 

Want to talk about what you heard today? Check out the Disordered Community space:https://disordered.fm/community----In this milestone episode of Disordered, we discuss the concepts in Josh's upcoming book. The conversation focuses on the gaps in anxiety recovery and the modern hurdles that prevent people from effectively practicing desensitization.They break down how the obsession with "optimization" and the "wellness brosphere" often becomes a distraction from the actual work of recovery. Using case studies from the book, they examine the different ways people try to avoid vulnerability by using hacks or curated identities.CASE STUDIES:Magnus: A young man with agoraphobia who tries to "alpha" his way out of his annex. He relies on supplements and wellness protocols rather than facing the fear directly.Lia Su: A wellness influencer who hides severe OCD behind a perfect online persona. Her story explores how making mental health an identity can lead to more avoidance.Ruben Kane: A retired boxer dealing with gambling issues and the shame of no longer feeling like the tough guy. His story looks at how anxiety can infiltrate a singular identity.Miriam: A student therapist learning to navigate imposter syndrome. Josh and Drew discuss why self doubt is actually a valuable tool for growth and curiosity.CORE CONCEPTSDelayed Gratification: This explores the struggle to be patient in a world where everything else is instant.Vulnerability: Recovery involves moving away from fixing or regulating and moving toward being okay with being afraid.The Gaps: This involves identifying the subtle things we do that keep us stuck in the anxiety cycle.Real Fear vs Real Danger: This episode emphasizes that while the fear you feel is real, you are not in actual danger.Psychological Flexibility: You benefit more from learning to be with difficult internal experiences like anxiety and fear rather than trying to control or prevent them.Gradual Progress: Recovery is about taking small, practical steps rather than looking for a magic solution.BOOK INFORMATIONJosh's new book, Same Time Next Week, is available for pre order. If you pre order before May 14th, you can receive an exclusive ebook on intrusive thoughts and a morning anxiety audio guide.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

Will Gibb shares something in common with Carrie, and it's that they've both had colonoscopies! It goes without saying that we had to get him on the show to discuss all things butt stuff... just kidding! He did speak about what it's like to have Health Anxiety though and about how his comedy and speaking to people has helped him manage it more. Listen please!! Subscribe on LiSTNR: https://play.listnr.com/podcasts/carrie-and-tommySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Anxiety Relief: Symptom Surfing — Ride the Wave, Not the Worry | 10-Minute Guided Meditation Do you find yourself scanning your body for signs something is wrong? Googling symptoms at 2am? Caught in the exhausting loop of health anxiety — noticing a sensation, catastrophising, and then searching for reassurance that never quite comes? This is your health anxiety relief session. In this 10-minute guided meditation, Martin Hewlett — clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic — introduces Symptom Surfing: a powerful technique for riding the wave of physical sensation without fear, without Googling, and without the spiral. Waves always pass. You just need to learn to stay on the board. ⸻ ⏱ TIME CHAPTERS 0:00 — Welcome & Health Anxiety Relief Introduction 1:00 — The Wave — Understanding Your Symptoms 2:35 — Get On The Board — Parasympathetic Breathing (4-2-6) 4:37 — Riding The Sensation — Observe, Don't Diagnose 5:34 — Affirmations For Health Anxiety 7:35 — Your 3 Daily Caring Tips 8:42 — Closing Relaxation & Outro ⸻

In episode 531 I chat with Alex who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us.  We discuss his OCD story, suicidal themed OCD, inference-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT), worries of harming others, existential themed OCD, how his wife helped, meditation, low self worth, understanding the past, peadophile themed OCD, health anxiety, self compassion, and much more. Hope it helps.  Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/alex-531 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter 

Are you currently scanning your body for symptoms or asking yourself, "Am I okay?". If you are experiencing health anxiety—that overwhelming fear that something is physically wrong—this session is designed to interrupt the panic loop and ground your nervous system.As a clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic, Martin Hewlett explains why anxiety is one of the most physically convincing conditions, mimicking the very symptoms you fear most. This 10-minute guided meditation helps you move the dial from catastrophic thinking back toward physiological calm.Time Chapters00:00 – Introduction: Stepping out of panic and back into your body.01:12 – The Clinical Reality: Why anxiety mimics physical symptoms.02:40 – The Physiological Interrupt: Using breath to signal safety to the brain.05:32 – Rewiring the Response: Three clinical affirmations for health anxiety relief.07:56 – 3 Daily Caring Tips: Tactical tools for a happier, calmer life.09:30 – Closing & Medical Disclaimer: Managing your mind and consulting your GP.Affirmations for Health AnxietyRepeat these internally during the session to help build new neural pathways and break the "checking" habit:"I am safe in this moment." (Breathe in safety, breathe out panic)."My body is not my enemy." (Breathe in partnership with your heart, breathe out distrust)."I can feel this sensation and still be okay." (Breathe in resilience, breathe out the need to check).3 Daily Caring Tips for Health Anxiety RecoveryThe External Pivot: When you feel the urge to scan your body, immediately name three blue objects in the room to ground yourself back in the physical world.The Paramedic Pause: If you feel unwell, give yourself a 15-minute window before reacting; most adrenaline spikes peak and fade within this timeframe.Audit Your Inputs: Commit to a "No-Google" rule for symptoms today, as searching online often feeds the fire of anxiety.A Caring RequestIf this session helped you move toward calm today, please follow the show so tomorrow's episode finds you automatically. If you know someone who Googles late at night or lives in fear of the next physical sensation, please share this show with them. You found relief today; they can too.For more deep-dive support, explore the back catalog of over 2,300 guided sessions or join the Anxiety Breaker Course at calminganxiety.fmBe kind to yourself.

Are you finding it impossible to stop the worry today? If you are caught in a cycle of checking, scanning, and returning to the same health-related thoughts over and over, you are not alone. This is health anxiety, and your mind isn't malfunctioning—it is simply a sign that your nervous system is working very hard and hasn't yet been given permission to rest.In this session, Martin Hewlett—Clinical Hypnotherapist and former Paramedic—guides you through the creation of a mental sanctuary, a place where no worry can enter without your permission. Drawing on years of experience in the back of an ambulance, Martin explains the difference between vigilance and safety, helping you step sideways out of the health anxiety loop and into a place of genuine, lasting anxiety relief.Episode Chapters00:00 – Intro: A Paramedic's Perspective on Health Anxiety 01:25 – Foundation: Building Your Mental Sanctuary 03:00 – The Mechanism: Why Vigilance Is Not Safety 04:15 – Interrupting the Loop: Stepping Sideways into Stillness 05:40 – Subconscious Healing: Affirmations for a Safe Body 08:05 – 3 Daily Caring Tips for Managing Health Worry 09:30 – Outro: Your First Step Toward Lasting Self-Care Affirmations for Health Anxiety ReliefRepeat these internally to reclaim your sense of safety:My body is doing its job without my help. The worry is a visitor. It does not live here. I am allowed to rest. I am safe. I am here and I am enough. 3 Daily Caring TipsName Your Sanctuary: Give your safe place a specific word or color. The more specific it is, the faster your nervous system learns to find it when distress surfaces.Set a Worry Window: If your worry is persistent, allow yourself just 10 minutes to think about it consciously, then close the gate. Everything else stays outside.Notice What Didn't Happen: Your body kept going today through every thought your mind put it through. Give your body the credit it deserves.You have already taken a meaningful act of self-care. Choosing guided meditation over a search engine is your first step toward real anxiety relief. If this session helped you find a moment of peace, please share it with someone else in need of calm today.I am always here for you. Take care of yourself and love all that you are.I'm Martin. This is Calming Anxiety. Be Kind

Are you caught in a constant cycle of checking, scanning, and worrying about your health? Illness anxiety can make every physical sensation feel like a catastrophic event. In this session, Martin Hewlett—a clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic—helps you step out of the "story" your mind is telling you and find a place of genuine safety.Drawing on hundreds of emergency calls as a paramedic, Martin explains the catastrophising loop: how a simple sensation activates the nervous system, creating physical symptoms that feed more anxiety. This guided meditation uses visualization to help you realize that your body is not broken—it is simply frightened. Learn to see your health worries as passing clouds in the vast, still sky of your mind.Episode Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why the Mind Storyteller Creates Illness Anxiety 01:25 – Arrival: Visualizing the Mind as a Vast, Open Sky 02:50 – The Mechanism: Understanding the Catastrophising Loop 04:15 – Clinical Reassurance: A Paramedic's View on a Frightened Body 05:00 – Affirmations for Health Anxiety & Subconscious Healing 07:30 – 3 Daily Caring Tips for Managing Health Worries 09:00 – Outro: Returning to the World with Kindness Affirmations for Health AnxietyRepeat these internally to take back control from the loop:My body knows how to take care of itself. My mind is safe to rest. I am not my worst thought about my health. I am here, present, and I am okay. 3 Daily Caring TipsName the Loop: Next time health anxiety takes hold, say quietly: "This is the catastrophising loop." Named things lose their power.Put the Phone Down: If you have been searching symptoms, your mind has been fed more material for scary stories. Give it an hour without new input.Come Back Here: This guided meditation works with repetition. The more you return to the "sky," the easier it is to find that stillness on your own.You are doing something genuinely difficult, and living with this takes real courage.  Do not allow illness anxiety to rule your life. If this session helped you find a moment of peace, please subscribe and share this episode with someone else who may be struggling with health worries today.With over 2,300 sessions to explore, I am always here for you.Be kind to who you are

Health anxiety is one of those things that can quietly take over your mind—and before you know it, you're stuck in a loop of symptoms, spiraling thoughts, and constant checking. We're unpacking what this actually looks like in real life, from those sudden “something's wrong with me” moments to the deeper patterns that keep the cycle going.We also get into the why behind it all—the underlying fears, life stressors, and emotional experiences that can trigger health anxiety in the first place. Along the way, we talk about what actually helps, how to break out of the loop, and how to find your way back to feeling grounded in your body and your life.Episode Highlights[0:00] - Welcome back + introducing health anxiety[1:00] - Laura shares her personal experience with health anxiety[2:30] - What health anxiety is (and what it's not)[3:45] - Health anxiety vs. hypochondriasis[6:30] - How physical symptoms turn into obsessive focus[9:30] - The reassurance trap: doctors, Google, and ChatGPT[11:15] - The feedback loop between anxiety and body sensations[15:45] - The deeper roots: core fears, grief, and life stressors[18:00] - Why reassurance-seeking keeps the cycle going[20:45] - Intuition vs. anxiety—how to tell the difference[24:30] - Avoidance, fixation, and how anxiety pulls us out of life[25:30] - The role of boredom and ADHD in anxiety patterns[28:00] - Why health anxiety connects to existential fear[29:15] - What actually helps: breaking cycles and shifting focus[31:00] - Engagement and healthy distraction as a way out[32:00] - Normalizing health anxiety and learning to navigate itIf you saw yourself in any part of this conversation, you're not alone—this is such a human experience, even when it feels overwhelming. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't, and be gentle with yourself as you navigate it.And if this episode supported you in any way, don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review—it means so much to us and helps others find their way to these conversations.  Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace and felt yourself disappear? The Cost of Quiet is for anyone who avoids conflict and pays the price. Reclaim your voice, strengthen your relationships, and experience real peace. Order your copy and join the movement: https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book

Do you find yourself lying awake, unable to stop worrying about your health? When the house is quiet and the world slows down, health anxiety and "symptom checking" can become overwhelming.In this session, Martin Hewlett—a clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic—guides you through a "Night Calm" practice specifically designed to interrupt the health worry loop. Drawing on years of frontline emergency experience, Martin explains the difference between what your mind tells you at 2:00 AM and what your body is actually doing. Using the power of your parasympathetic nervous system, you will learn to move from a state of hyper-vigilance into deep, safe rest.Episode Chapters00:00 – Intro: The Paramedic's Perspective on Health Anxiety 01:30 – Physiology of Calm: Activating the Parasympathetic System 03:15 – Releasing the Day: Sinking into Deep Rest 05:00 – Interrupting the Loop: Visualization & Affirmations 07:45 – 3 Daily Caring Tips for Health Anxiety Relief 08:50 – Outro: Be Kind to Your Beautiful Self Affirmations for Health AnxietyRepeat these internally to break the pattern of illness anxiety:I am not my symptoms. I am not my search history. I am here—breathing, present, and safe. 3 Daily Caring TipsClose the Tabs: If you have been searching symptoms tonight, close those browser tabs. Your mind cannot find peace within a search engine.Check Your Jaw: Right now, let it drop. Release the physical tension you have been holding.Acknowledge the Effort: Worrying is exhausting. Give yourself credit for taking these 10 minutes to do something different.Break the cycle of panic and worry today.Take the next step in your recovery with the Anxiety Circuit Breaker Course. Over 6 hours of clinical guidance to help you regain control.Join now at calminganxiety.fm for only $67.

Do you constantly check your body for signs something is wrong? If you find yourself Googling symptoms at 2 AM or convinced that every flutter in your chest is a crisis, this 10-minute session is designed for you. We tackle the exhausting cycle of health anxiety, illness anxiety, and somatic symptoms using clinical hypnotherapy and real-world medical perspective.Your host, Martin, is a former paramedic and clinical hypnotherapist. Having spent years in emergency care, he knows exactly what a real emergency looks like—and he knows that what you are feeling right now is a false alarm caused by a tired mind. Today, we turn down the volume on that alarm and help you learn to trust your body again.Ideal for: Health anxiety relief, stopping body scanning, cardiophobia, nervous system regulation, and overcoming the fear of illness.Episode Chapters:[0:00] The Paramedic's Perspective: Understanding the "False Alarm" of health anxiety.[1:12] The Biological Off-Switch: Using the Sighing Breath to reset your nervous system.[2:07] 10-Minute Body Triage: A guided scan to differentiate anxiety from danger.[4:57] The Control Room Visualization: Turning down your "Health Vigilance" dial.[6:08] Core Affirmations: Rebuilding trust between mind and body.[8:46] 3 Daily Caring Tips: Practical tools for a quieter life.[9:48] Return & Outro: Closing the session with kindness.Daily Affirmations for Health Anxiety:My body is a vessel of health, not a source of fear.I give myself permission to stop monitoring and start living.I trust my body's wisdom to know the difference between stress and illness.I am safe in my skin in this moment.3 Daily Caring Tips Included:The Google Ban: If you feel a new sensation, wait 30 minutes before searching; most anxiety-driven symptoms will pass in that time.External Focus: Break a body-scanning loop by immediately naming 5 blue things in your room to pull your awareness outward.Hydrate for Peace: Dehydration often mimics heart palpitations; a full glass of water can physically calm your system.

Your phone might be doing more than stealing time. It may be quietly taxing your mood, your attention, and the basic habits that keep you well. We found a fascinating research study that tested a simple but radical idea: block mobile internet access on a smartphone for two weeks while still letting people call and text, and then measure what changes in mental health, well-being, and focus. We walk through how the researchers designed the experiment with 467 adults, why this kind of randomized setup helps answer the causation question, and what they actually measured: depression, anxiety, social anxiety, life satisfaction, positive and negative mood, plus a real sustained attention task instead of just “I feel more focused.” Then we get into the headline-worthy outcomes, including the stat that about 91% of participants improved in at least one area and the surprising attention boost researchers estimated as roughly equivalent to reversing about ten years of age-related decline. We also dig into the “why” behind the results, because the point isn't to demonize smartphones. When the constant portal to social media, news, email and scrolling disappears, many people naturally spend more time sleeping, moving their bodies, getting outside and seeing other humans in real life. We talk about who may benefit most, what the limitations are, and practical ways to test the idea without going extreme: deleting the stickiest apps, setting phone-free zones, and experimenting with computer-only access. If you want a simple starting point, we leave you with one challenge you can try this week. Subscribe, share this with a friend who feels phone-tired, and leave a review with what boundary you're trying first.Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply.Support the showProduction and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RNArtwork Rebrand and Avatars:Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones) Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qrOriginal Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

Want to talk about what you're hearing today with Josh, Drew, and others that are sharing your experience? Check out the Disordered Community Space:https://disordered.fm/community---This episode of Disordered addresses the experience of constant, simmering anxiety that fluctuates in intensity throughout the day without fully disappearing. We refer to this as undulating panic or a loop of peaking anxiety.The Nature of Rolling Anxiety: Many people that they are different because they don't have anxiety that appears, then disappears. It rolls and undulates throughout the day. This is the rule, not the exception. We explain how an internal fixation on bodily sensations and thoughts creates a cycle where anxiety rises and falls continually.The Monitoring Trap: Using scales like Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) can become a compulsion. When you constantly scan your body to check if you are a "four" or a "nine," you maintain the rolling, undulating sensitized state you are trying to escape.The Sand Timer Analogy: Physiological and mental arousal (yes, even a full panic attack) has a beginning, middle, and end. Once the "sand timer" of an adrenaline spike is flipped, it must run its course. Attempting to "shake the timer" through frantic coping mechanisms only slows down the natural process of settling.Recovery Through Action: We share listener stories of "doing it anyway" despite monophobia and physical pain. These examples illustrate how recovery involves moving forward while discomfort is present rather than waiting for it to stop.Recovery is grounded in the principle of psychological flexibility. The goal is to learn to be with difficult internal experiences like fear and physical sensations rather than trying to control or prevent them. By treating these fluctuations as a background noise rather than a defining event, you teach your brain that the state is not a signal of danger.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

Send a textIf you've ever wondered “What if…?” about your health, this one's for you.I'm digging into the often misunderstood world of health anxiety today, what many still call hypochondria. Which is not about drama or attention-seeking. Hypochondria is about fear. Real, convincing fear that something's wrong, even when every check-up says otherwise.I'll be exploring where that fear comes from, how it shows up in our day-to-day lives, and what we can do to break the cycle. From panic spirals and over-Googling to learning how to sit with uncertainty and trust our bodies again, this one's for anyone who's ever felt stuck in that loop.Support the showJoin the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor X https://x.com/richardnicholls

Anxiety causes or amplifies physical symptoms. Headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, and even muscle pain are common. But what happens when your anxiety causes your physical symptoms AND such symptoms are the source of your anxiety? It can be a tricky loop to untangle. Discussed in today's episode: The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain by John E. Sarno, M.D. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: For those brand new to the podcast, we suggest starting with this playlist featuring Lynn Lyons and the 7-part anxiety disruptor series as well as a 3-part series on the skills most helpful in managing anxious kids: flexibility, problem solving, and autonomy. Consult our Spotify profile for the most up-to-date selection.   We will select two listeners who complete our listener survey. We hope it is you!   FOLLOW US Join the Facebook group to get news on the upcoming courses for parents, teens, and kids. Follow Flusterclux on Facebook and Instagram. Follow Lynn Lyons on Twitter and Youtube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Want to discuss what you hear on this episode with Josh and Drew and others that are sharing your experience? Check out the Disordered Podcast Community Space.https://disordered.fm/communty----In this episode of Disordered, we celebrate the "Global Edition" of Did It Anyway. We're sharing inspiring stories from our community members around the world who chose to face their fears and take action despite experiencing intense anxiety.From navigating health anxiety at a drum and bass gig in London to managing emetophobia while being physically ill, these stories highlight the power of psychological flexibility. We discuss how recovery isn't about the absence of anxiety, but rather the shortening of the time between "oh my god" and "oh well".The "Did It Anyway" Mindset: How listeners applied this approach to return to work, travel, and social situations despite panic and agoraphobia.Desensitization in Real-Time: Using exposure therapy principles to stay present with uncomfortable physical sensations rather than retreating.Challenging Safety Behaviors: Stories of individuals staying home alone for the first time in weeks or eating "fear foods" to reclaim their lives.Overcoming the Inner Critic: Learning to move into productive problem-solving mode instead of self-berating when anxiety spikes and thinking isn't perfectly clear.Recovery as a Journey: Emphasizing that while these principles are simple, implementing them is a gradual process that requires patience and persistence.We also touch on the importance of self-compassion and acknowledging that even when life is genuinely difficult—such as dealing with family health struggles—you can still apply these principles to your recovery and desensitization work.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

Want to talk about what you're hearing in this episode with Josh and Drew and others that share your experience?https://disordered.fm/community----In this episode, Josh and Drew break down the "Stress Jug"—a metaphor designed to explain why anxiety and panic often seem to appear out of nowhere. The guys discuss how accumulated stress, both positive and negative, can cause your "threat response" to overflow, leading to sensitization and the search for a threat where none exists.The Mechanics of Overflow: How the amygdala misinterprets a full "stress jug" as immediate danger, triggering unexpected fear and physical symptoms.The Role of Meaning-Making: Why your brain creates narratives (like health anxiety or fear of "going crazy") to explain internal discomfort.Beyond "Emptying the Jug": Why recovery isn't about avoiding stress or keeping the jug empty, but learning to tolerate the overflow when life gets heavy."Meta-Stress": Understanding the additional weight of being stressed about being stressed, and how that contributes to the cycle of disordered anxiety.The "Gunk" at the Bottom: Addressing long-term factors like grief, self-esteem, or unprocessed emotions that occupy space in your jug.We're also sharing "Did It Anyway" stories from the community, including a listener's trip to Jamaica despite anxiety and a first-time solo drive after years of avoidance. These stories highlight the importance of taking action even when you don't yet believe you are safe.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

Questions about this episode? Want to interact with Drew, Josh, and other members of the Disordered audience? Check out the Disordered Community Space!⁠https://disordered.fm/community⁠-------This week we're discussing the relationship between anxiety and self-compassion. Self-compassion is often dismissed as a way to avoid difficult tasks or "whine" about struggles, but it is actually a functional part of the desensitization process.Drew shares how he originally viewed self-compassion as a weakness that would lead to more avoidance, only to realize that berating himself was not actually an effective motivator. Josh explains how a lack of self-compassion can lead to "re-sensitization" when you turn recovery into a performance you have to perfect.What We Discuss:The "No Self-Compassion" Mistake: Why driving yourself with brute force and criticism often backfiresAccepting The Current Version of You: The importance of acknowledging that you are currently afraid or avoidant without berating or rejecting yourself for it.Self-Compassion vs. Coddling: Distinguishing between being kind to yourself while doing hard things and using "kindness" as an excuse to stay on the sofa.Navigating Misunderstanding: How to handle friends or family who do not understand anxiety disorders and the importance of validating your own experience instead of waiting for them to do it.Recovery requires the flexibility to be afraid and move forward simultaneously. Using self-compassion means letting the scared version of yourself into the experiential classroom so you can actually learn the lessons found in acceptance, tolerance, surrender, floating, and exposure!---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners?  The Disordered app is nearing release! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.

Do you feel like you're stuck in a toxic relationship, but aren't sure if it's really the relationship or just your thoughts? In this Coaching Hotline episode, I dive into a listener's question about how to tell if your relationship is toxic and how much of the issue comes down to your own thinking. I also tackle a question on health anxiety, where the listener is worried that their weight isn't going down despite making healthy changes, and fears they're damaging their health. Discover how thought work can help you take control of your emotional experience, whether in relationships or health, without falling into the trap of self-judgment and fear.Submit your own question here and it might get answered on a future episode: unfuckyourbrain.com/coachinghotlineGet full show notes, transcript, and more information here: schoolofnewfeministthought.com/467Follow along on Instagram: instagram.com/karaloewentheil/

This episode of Disordered examines the fundamental "Golden Rules" of anxiety desensitization. Josh and Drew break down two core principles designed to guide long term desensitization for those struggling with panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, and health anxiety. They move away from promising cures or quick fixes, focusing instead on changing the listener's relationship with discomfort.Rule One: Do what non-anxious you would do while anxious. The guys explain that this involves engaging in life tasks regardless of the presence of fear.Rule Two: Don't make anxiety the most important thing in the room. While anxiety is allowed to be present, it should not sit at the top of the decision making tree. Desensitization happens when values and intentions are prioritized over the urge to monitor internal feelings.Acceptance vs. Control: Josh and Drew discuss the necessity of recognizing that attempts to control or escape anxiety are often ineffective. They advocate for psychological flexibility, where a person learns to be with difficult internal experiences rather than fighting them.The Power of Agency: The guys emphasize that even in highly sensitized states, individuals retain agency over their attention. They describe how to tolerate physical symptoms without letting those sensations govern behavior."Did It Anyway" Stories: The episode features community members who applied these rules during high stakes moments like public speaking or travel. These stories serve to encourage others to face fears that are uncomfortable but not dangerous.Josh and Drew frame desensitization as a journey requiring patience and persistence rather than a destination reached through "hacks" or secret solutions. This episode provides a practical framework for listeners ready to stop avoiding their feelings and start moving forward.---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners?  The Disordered community space is nearing release! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.

If you find yourself compulsively Googling symptoms and feeling more anxious than reassured, this episode offers a compassionate, evidence-based 3-step plan to help you break free from cyberchondria and health anxiety.

Less fear. More direction. If you want daily structure to break the health anxiety loop, head to anxietyguyprograms.com. ✨ Today's Episode: Mornings can be the hardest time for health anxiety. The moment you wake up, your mind starts scanning for symptoms, looking for certainty, and bracing for the worst. In this episode, I share the best morning routine for health anxiety, simple, repeatable steps that help you stop body scanning, reduce reassurance habits, and retrain your nervous system to respond to fear differently. If you deal with morning anxiety, cortisol spikes, or that "here we go again" feeling, this routine will help you start your day with more steadiness and less panic. ▶️ Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: Subscribe Here Spotify: Subscribe Here YouTube: Subscribe Here Episode page: Catch up on previous episodes here

In episode 523 I chat with Angie who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss health anxiety, contamination themed OCD, and suicidal themed OCD. Doubting whether it's OCD or not, compulsions, uncertainty, getting therapy including exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), relationships, exercise, having a dog in relation to OCD, and much more. Hope it helps.   Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/angie-523 The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter 

In this episode of Disordered, guest co-host Kimberley Quinlan joins Drew to pull back the curtain on one of the most persistent hurdles in anxiety recovery: rumination. Whether you call it overthinking, worry, or mental "problem solving," the process is a universal constant across panic disorder, OCD, health anxiety, depression, and other related issues.We examine why rumination feels like a productive tool when it is actually a mental compulsion designed to avoid the discomfort of uncertainty. Kim and Drew break down the "tax" that rumination imposes on your life, specifically the deep physiological and emotional exhaustion that leaves you without the energy to make the actual changes you want.What You'll Learn This Week:The Process vs. The Content: Why the specific thing you are worried about matters less than the fact that you are stuck in a circular thinking process.The "What If" Statement: How to recognize that "what if" is a statement of fear, not a question that requires an answer.Problem Solving vs. Rumination: Identifying the moment thinking stops being an investment and starts becoming a drain.Beliefs About Worry: Challenging the "positive" beliefs we hold, such as the idea that worrying makes us a better parent or more prepared for disaster.Attention Control Training: Practical ways to re-engage with the present moment, even when your brain is screaming for certainty.Recovery is about learning to put the thoughts down and returning to whatever is next in your day. It is hard work, and you might "suck at it" initially, but managing rumination is a skill for life that reduces suffering and brings you back to your own experiences.Find Kim's podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@youranxietytoolkitKim's courses and workshops:https://cbtschool.comKim's Instagramhttps://instagram.com/YourAnxietyToolkit---The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.---Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners?  The Disordered app is nearing release! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.