Ever feel trapped in cycles of rumination, overthinking, and constant mental chatter about your anxiety? In this episode, Drew and Josh tackle the challenging question of how to "get out of your own head" without turning it into another exhausting battle.Starting with a thoughtful question from a listener who has built an impressive life despite ongoing anxiety and DPDR but still struggles with constant internal focus, the hosts explore why simply trying to stop thinking doesn't work and what actually does.Key topics covered include:Why "getting out of your head" doesn't mean eliminating anxious thoughtsThe difference between coexisting with thoughts versus fighting themHow to make anxiety the "least interesting thing in the room"Understanding when overthinking becomes a compulsion rather than helpful problem-solvingPractical strategies for redirecting attention while allowing difficult feelingsThe role of willful tolerance in breaking rumination cyclesThe episode features inspiring "did it anyway" stories from listeners conquering agoraphobia with solo travel and managing postpartum OCD intrusive thoughts during daily caregiving tasks.Drew and Josh also address the tricky balance between attention redirection techniques and emotional avoidance, offering guidance for those working with metacognitive therapy approaches.Key Timestamps:[02:30] - Listener question about staying out of your own head[07:30] - Josh's detailed narrative of what being "in your head" actually sounds like[12:50] - Making anxiety the least interesting thing in the room[15:50] - The attention "flashlight" metaphor and experimentation approach[17:00] - Josh's YouTube banner analogy for intrusive thoughts[18:40] - Addressing GAD and the belief that thinking is always helpful[25:00] - Powerful "did it anyway" story about postpartum OCD[29:00] - The role of distraction and attention flexibility[33:40] - Listener question about balancing allowing feelings vs. attention redirectionThis episode emphasizes that recovery isn't about achieving a thought-free mind, but rather developing a healthier relationship with your internal experience while engaging meaningfully with your life.---------Disordered Roundtables are here! Think of it as "Disordered Live", a way for members of our audience to spend time with us in an intimate virtual setting (attendance is limited) to engage in real time sharing and discussion on specific anxiety disorder and recovery topics. To be notified when new Disordered Roundtable sessions are scheduled, visit our homepage and get on our mailing list.---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 voicemail on our website.
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Anxiety and The Illusion of Control (Episode 116)
What If I Want To Control My Anxiety Holistically?In this episode, Drew and Josh examine tension between wanting to control anxiety through holistic approaches and recognizing when that desire for control becomes part of the problem itself.Key Topics Discussed:The difference between actual control and the illusion of controlHow the wellness and self-optimization industry can exploit anxiety sufferersWhy treating anxiety as a threat teaches your brain to keep the alarm system activatedThe gray area between healthy self-care and anxiety-driven fixing behaviors How to recognize when "wellness" strategies become safety behaviorsImportant Timestamps:00:00 - A listener from Switzerland asks about holistic control strategies and when it feels like she can control things02:30 - Introduction to the control illusion concept04:20 - Drew explains the critical difference between knowing and controlling5:45 - Josh's "why" question - examining motivations behind wellness pursuits8:15- How your threat response learns from your control behaviors11:45- Personal stories: Josh's magnesium bath experience and Drew's supplement journey14:30 - The meditation paradox - using mindfulness as exposure vs. control16:00- Drew's mini-rant about the billion-dollar wellness industry21:15 - Did It Anyway: A listener's birthday triumph (train, crowds, and dating)22:30- The Dr. Oz example of entertainment vs. medicine31:45- The compatibility question: Can you pursue both control and acceptance?35:00- Josh's "willful tolerance" exercise39:00 - Did It Anyway: A listener conquers their emetophobia podcast fear41:00 - First official announcement of the upcoming "Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety" bookKey TakeawaysThe episode emphasizes that while basic wellness practices may be helpful, using them as anxiety control strategies often backfires. True recovery involves learning to be with difficult feelings rather than trying to eliminate them. The hosts stress the importance of asking "why" you're pursuing any wellness intervention - is it for general health or to avoid anxiety?This episode offers practical guidance on distinguishing between healthy self-care and anxiety-driven control behaviors, helping listeners navigate the complex world of wellness marketing while staying focused on genuine recovery principles.---Disordered Roundtables are here! Think of it as "Disordered Live", a way for members of our audience to spend time with us in an intimate virtual setting (attendance is limited) to engage in real time sharing and discussion on specific anxiety disorder and recovery topics. To be notified when new Disordered Roundtable sessions are scheduled, visit our homepage and get on our mailing list.---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 voicemail on our website.
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42:25
Anxiety Recovery - Am I Doing Too Much (Episode 115)
Am I Doing Too Much Recovery/Exposure?This week Drew and Josh tackle a common question in anxiety recovery: "Am I pushing myself too hard with exposures?" The guys explore the nuanced balance between challenging yourself and recognizing when you might genuinely need rest.In this episode:How to distinguish between being genuinely depleted versus being scaredWhy feeling anxious after successful exposures doesn't mean you've done "too much"The difference between active, reasoned decisions to rest and anxiety-driven avoidanceSpecial considerations for people with OCD and chronic health conditionsHow to balance recovery work with other life priorities like family timeFeatured listener stories:Nicole shares her experience flying to Munich for a Champions League game and wondering if she's overdoing exposuresTyler's victory over health anxiety by choosing the gym over Google searchesMatt's success working an 8-hour shift without his "safety person"Chris's inspiring story of dating while tapering off medicationWhile you can't actually "break" your recovery by doing too much, it's important to allocate your resources wisely and remember that feeling scared doesn't mean you've made a mistake - it means you're doing exactly what recovery requires.---Disordered Roundtables are here! Think of it as "Disordered Live", a way for members of our audience to spend time with us in an intimate virtual setting (attendance is limited) to engage in real time sharing and discussion on specific anxiety disorder and recovery topics. To be notified when new Disordered Roundtable sessions are scheduled, visit our homepage and get on our mailing list.---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 voicemail on our website.
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Listener Questions About Anxiety & Recovery (Episode 114)
This week Drew and Josh are answering questions from listeners. Questions addressed in this episode include:Is it "normal" to feel a letdown after completing and big successful exposure/challenge?What work can we do to address the fawn response?Isn't a panic attack a medical emergency? How can it possibly be safe to experience panic?!Staying off social media is good for mental health, right? But is that anxiety avoidance?How can I learn how to NOT tense my body? It's such a habit now!We're also hearing from inspiring "Did It Anyways" and inserting the usual doses of humor and compassion as we address anxiety and anxiety disorders.Thanks to the entire Disordered listening community for sending in questions, wins, and for supporting our work. We appreciate you!---Disordered Roundtables are here! Think of it as "Disordered Live", a way for members of our audience to spend time with us in an intimate virtual setting (attendance is limited) to engage in real time sharing and discussion on specific anxiety disorder and recovery topics. To be notified when new Disordered Roundtable sessions are scheduled,visit our homepage and get on our mailing list.---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.https://bit.ly/worryrumination-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Visit us on the web:https://disordered.fm
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Death Anxiety w/Professor David Veale (Episode 113)
Death anxiety - an obsessive fixation on death, dying and existence driven by intense fear of the inevitability of death - is a very common experience for listeners of Disordered.This week Josh and Drew were lucky enough to have a chat with Professor David Veale, one of the leading authorities in in the UK on the topic of death anxiety and mental health issues related to death and existence. David helped spread some light and some much-needed humor on this topic that might help you change the way you approach your death-focused anxiety and fear.The highlights:Death is in fact an un-solvable problem. This creates discomfort for all humans, and fear is some kind for most humans. That is also unavoidable. Being uncomfortable with death is part of living. Approaching death anxiety means coming to grips with this reality.We can all experience discomfort around the idea of death because it really is an important topic, however importance and urgency are not the same things. Please keep this in mind. Death might be important, but that does not make it a topic you need to tend to immediately as if it is a current emergency.Compulsively searching for answers or solutions when it comes to death is a pointless exercise that just makes things worse than they have to be.Overcoming death anxiety is an exercise is doing what we can do to prepare for death (writing wills, making funeral arrangements, talking about our feelings, etc.), then bring our discomfort or fear with us as we do our best to return to living the best life we can while we have it!If you are struggling with death anxiety, this episode is worth a listen.For more on Professor David Veale visit his website:https://www.veale.co.ukFind David’s book about death anxiety (co-authored with Rachel Menzies):https://www.veale.co.uk/news/free-yourself-from-death-anxiety-book-published/---Disordered Roundtables are here! Think of it as "Disordered Live", a way for members of our audience to spend time with us in an intimate virtual setting (attendance is limited) to engage in real time sharing and discussion on specific anxiety disorder and recovery topics. To be notified when new Disordered Roundtable sessions are scheduled,visit our homepage and get on our mailing list.---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.https://bit.ly/worryrumination-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Visit us on the web:https://disordered.fm
Disordered is the podcast that delivers real, evidence-based, actionable talk about anxiety disorders and anxiety recovery in a kind, compassionate, community-oriented environment. Josh Fletcher is a qualified psychotherapist in the UK. Drew Linsalata is a therapist practicing under supervision in the US. They're both bestselling authors in the anxiety and mental health space. Josh and Drew are funny, friendly, and they have a knack for combining lived experience, formal training, and professional experience in an encouraging, inspiring, and compassionate mental health message.
New Zealand