125. Panic Attacks Explained: The Collision of Two Alarms and How to Break Free

Hello everyone! You’ve probably heard me talk about alarm - that raw, uncomfortable sensation in the body that actually drives anxiety. But in this episode, I break it down further into two distinct types: foreground alarm and background alarm. Foreground alarm is the big, loud stuff (like someone jumping out and scaring you, or feelings of unease before a big presentation). It’s sharp, intense, and impossible to ignore. Background alarm is quieter. It hums under the surface (like chronic tension, unease, a vague sense that something’s off, even when nothing obvious is happening.) These two types of alarm shape your experience with anxiety in very different ways, and in this episode, I’ll walk you through how they interact, why they often go unrecognized, and how they can make it feel like anxiety is coming out of nowhere. More importantly, I’ll share what to do about it. Not by trying to outthink it (you know how I feel about that), but by learning how to soothe the alarm in your body - through presence, breath, and connection. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by panic or trapped in chronic anxiety without knowing why, this episode will help you finally understand what’s really going on. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Understanding Anxiety as Alarm 07:58 Foreground vs Background Alarm 15:39 Panic Attacks and Their Triggers 17:26 Understanding the Alarm in Your Body 17:55 Metabolizing Your Feelings 18:52 Healing Through Acceptance

Hello everyone! In this episode of the Anxiety Rx podcast, I talk about something we cannot heal anxiety without: faith. Not necessarily religious faith (unless that’s your thing) - I mean the kind of faith that says, I can handle what’s coming. I’ll figure it out. I’m not alone in this. But if you grew up in chaos, unpredictability, or even emotional disconnection, that faith (especially in yourself) might have never had a chance to grow. And when there’s no faith, there’s fear. Anxiety steps in to fill the gap, and your nervous system whispers, you’re not safe, and your mind scrambles to make sense of it with endless worry. In this episode, I walk you through how that loss of faith happens, how it wires itself into your body, and most importantly, how to begin building it back. Not through thinking, but through feeling. Through self-soothing, grounding, and connecting with the younger part of you that still needs to hear, you’re safe now. Because real healing—the kind that actually lasts—doesn’t come from managing symptoms. It comes from restoring faith, so you can feel safe in your body, and in your adult self’s ability to handle whatever comes your way. In your ability to stay present, even when life gets wobbly. If you’ve lost that inner knowing, this one’s for you. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Power of Belief and Faith in Healing Anxiety 02:41 Understanding the Alarm System in Our Bodies 05:06 The Cycle of Worry and Anxiety 07:25 The Role of Childhood Experiences in Anxiety 09:52 Faith as a Tool for Managing Uncertainty 12:13 Connecting with the Inner Child for Healing 14:52 The Importance of Trusting Love 16:47 Creating Safety Through Self-Love 19:31 Breaking the Cycle of Alarm and Anxiety 21:52 Embracing Uncertainty for Growth 23:47 The Journey to Healing Anxiety 26:27 Conclusion: Awareness, Self-Compassion and Faith as Keys to Healing

Welcome back everyone! In this episode, I dive into the sneaky nature of worry—how it masquerades as a helpful strategy when really, it’s just our nervous system trying to avoid the discomfort of uncertainty. Worry gives us the illusion of control, but underneath it is a scared, younger part of us that never learned how to feel safe in the unknown. I talk about how this starts in childhood, when unpredictability wires us to constantly scan for “what ifs” as a way of preparing for the worst. But the problem is, this habit doesn’t actually keep us safe—it just keeps us stuck. Instead of spiraling in our thoughts, the way out is through the body. I’ll explain why real healing from anxiety happens when we learn to feel our way through it, not think our way out. And yes, that means learning to sit with discomfort and build a new relationship with uncertainty—not as a threat, but as a doorway to deeper trust in ourselves. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Understanding Worry and Anxiety 05:43 The Paradox of Worry and Uncertainty 12:51 Healing Through Sensation Without Explanation 20:12 Breaking the Cycle of Alarm and Anxiety

Hey Everyone! In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the real driver of anxiety: the overprotective, fire-breathing ego dragon we forged in childhood. We talk a lot about anxiety being in the mind—but it’s not. It’s a body-based response, rooted in old pain and fear that never got processed. That pain creates a background alarm in your system, and in comes the ego dragon: a powerful internal protector built by a scared, overwhelmed child. Its job? Keep you safe. Its strategy? Constant hypervigilance, control, and worry. The problem is, the ego dragon doesn’t know the danger is over. So it keeps you stuck in fear, biting your own tail, creating more alarm through the very worries you hope will save you. In this episode, I show you how to unmask this dragon—not to slay it, but to soothe it. To recognize that your anxiety isn’t weakness. It’s your nervous system doing too good a job of trying to protect you. We talk about how to come back to the present, connect with that inner child, and melt the alarm that fuels your thoughts—so you can finally step out of survival mode and into something that feels more like peace, and living. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Anxiety RX Podcast 00:27 Understanding Anxiety: Mind vs Body 02:00 The Concept of Background Alarm 03:03 The Alarm Anxiety Cycle 05:07 The Iceberg Analogy of Anxiety 05:42 The Ego Dragon: Protection vs. Fear 06:56 Hypervigilance and Its Effects 08:23 The Role of the Ego in Anxiety 10:29 Present Moment Awareness as a Tool 12:21 Understanding the Fear Bias 13:42 Healing Through Connection with the Inner Child 16:40 The Importance of Feeling to Heal 18:07 Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Healing

Welcome back! In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own anxiety story—from growing up with a father who had schizophrenia, to nearly losing myself during medical school, and finally (after many failed attempts) learning how to actually heal anxiety, rather than just manage it. I talk about how my early life wired me for chronic alarm in my body, long before I even knew what “anxiety” was. I share what it was like navigating that as a physician and neuroscientist who, ironically, couldn’t fix his own mind with logic. (Spoiler: healing doesn’t happen in the mind.) This episode is personal. It’s the origin story of the work I do now—and a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like they were broken. You’re not. But you are likely carrying a scared inner child who needs you to come back for them. Let’s talk about what that really means—and how reconnecting with your alarm is where real healing begins. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG and TikTok here: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Russell's Personal Journey with Anxiety 09:53 The Impact of Childhood Trauma 19:58 Navigating Medical School and Anxiety 30:05 Understanding Alarm and Healing

Hey Everyone! In this episode, I dive into something I know far too well—that frozen, stuck, can't-move-no-matter-how-hard-you-try feeling that so often comes with anxiety. It’s not just in your head—it’s in trapped in your nervous system. That freeze response? That immobility? That’s not laziness or weakness. That’s trauma. We talk about how early life experiences can lock us into patterns of helplessness and victimhood, and how reclaiming your healthy anger (yes, it has a good side!) can be the key to unfreezing your system. I share some practical ways to start moving again—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—so you can start breaking the cycle of anxiety and alarm, and get back in the driver's seat of your own life. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Anxiety RX Podcast 00:30 Understanding Immobility and Anxiety 02:46 The Role of Anger in Overcoming Anxiety 03:58 Breaking the Cycle of Victimhood 06:12 The Science Behind Immobility and Anxiety 07:28 Strategies to Overcome Immobility 14:32 Empowerment Through Movement

Welcome back, everyone! In this episode, I dig into the sneaky link between anxiety and victim mentality—and how we often don’t even realize we’re caught in that loop. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your worries or like life is just happening to you, this one’s for you. We talk about how early emotional wounds can wire our nervous systems into a constant state of protection, and how that can quietly evolve into a mindset of helplessness. I walk you through the alarm-anxiety cycle—my term for what happens when unresolved pain in the body sparks anxious thoughts in the mind, which only feed the alarm even more (fun, right?). But there’s hope. With awareness, curiosity, and a few grounding techniques, you can start to separate from those thoughts and reconnect with your body in a way that actually heals—not just copes. This episode is about moving from surviving to thriving, without shaming yourself for where you are now. Let’s untangle it together. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Anxiety and Awareness 01:26 Victim Mentality and Its Impact on Anxiety 04:18 Understanding Awareness and Its Role 06:55 The Alarm Anxiety Cycle 09:47 The Role of Childhood Experiences 11:27 Curiosity vs. Judgment in Managing Worries 14:44 Breaking the Cycle of Victim Mentality 17:40 The Illusion of Safety and Its Consequences 20:10 Creating Awareness and Grounding Techniques 23:26 Moving from Surviving to Thriving

Welcome back, everyone! In this episode, I sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris to unpack a spicy little tangle many of us know all too well: anxiety and achievement. We dive into how our culture’s obsession with success can quietly (or loudly) erode our mental health—think burnout, chronic worry, and that nagging sense that no matter what you do, it’s never quite enough. We explore how trauma can wire us to chase gold stars at the expense of our nervous systems, and why learning to be here—not three steps ahead—is actually the most revolutionary act of self-care. Dimitrios brings a grounded clinical lens, I bring my usual blend of neuroscience, stand-up comedy, and soul (yes, that’s a combo now), and together we offer some real-world tools to soften your grip on striving and build a gentler, more present relationship with success. Come for the insights, stay for the laughter... and maybe, just maybe, leave with a little less anxiety in your achievement. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 5000+ anxiety HEALERS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Anxiety and Achievement 00:57 The Pressure of Achievement in Society 03:51 The Illusion of Happiness Through Achievement 07:01 Recalibrating Our Relationship with Achievement 09:54 Mindfulness and Presence in Nature 13:00 Understanding the Default Mode Network 15:53 Agency and Control in Managing Anxiety 19:00 The Role of Trauma in Anxiety 22:01 Practical Strategies for Managing Anxiety 30:46 Understanding the Amygdala's Role in Stress Responses 33:34 The Importance of Somatic Awareness in Managing Anxiety 36:46 Repetition Compulsion: Patterns from Childhood to Adulthood 39:30 The Pressure of Achievement and Its Psychological Impact 42:04 Finding Happiness in the Present Moment 45:32 The Power of Expression: Talking and Writing as Healing Tools

Hello Everyone! We're kicking off Mental Health Month with a mind-expanding episode of the Anxiety Rx podcast—literally! I sat down with the insightful Julie Hagen to dive into the fascinating world of psychedelics, healing, and personal transformation. In this episode, we explore how psychedelics can shift our perspective on anxiety, trauma, and the default mode network (yes, we get a bit nerdy—but in a good way). Julie shares her inspiring journey from the world of corporate law to becoming a coach, and we both open up about the deep impact childhood trauma can have on our adult lives. We also talk about the power of somatic awareness (getting out of your head and into your body) and why intention and integration are absolutely essential when working with psychedelics. This isn't about quick fixes—it's about meaningful, mindful healing. Tune in if you're curious about the intersection of neuroscience, emotional healing, and some of the most fascinating tools we have for growth. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4500+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Psychedelics and Personal Journeys 03:08 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact 05:44 Transitioning from Law to Coaching 09:02 The Role of Therapy and Coaching 11:52 Discovering Psychedelics and Their Effects 15:04 Understanding Anxiety and the Alarm Cycle 17:46 The Default Mode Network and Presence 20:59 The Future of Therapy with Psychedelics 23:17 Understanding the Default Mode Network 26:48 The Impact of Trauma on Present Moment Awareness 30:42 Navigating Pain and Anxiety Through Somatic Awareness 37:20 The Role of Psychedelics in Healing and Self-Discovery 46:51 Integrating Intentions in Psychedelic Experiences

Hi everyone! In this episode of the Anxiety Rx podcast, I sit down with the awesome Ben Azadi—author of Metabolic Freedom—to chat about something that’s not always on people’s radar when it comes to anxiety: metabolic health. Yep, your metabolism and your mind are more connected than you might think! We dive into why understanding metabolic dysfunction is so important, how the way we see ourselves can actually help (or hinder) our healing, and why gratitude isn’t just some fluffy feel-good thing—it’s a legit superpower. Ben brings the goods with practical tips on improving your sleep, making smarter food choices, and how ketosis might just give your mental health a boost. We also talk about the magic of small wins—those little victories that add up and make a big difference in your journey toward better health and peace of mind. It’s a fun, insightful conversation packed with real talk and real tools. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4500+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Metabolic Freedom 03:03 Understanding Metabolic Dysfunction 05:59 The Role of Self-Image in Change 08:54 The Journey from Rock Bottom 12:02 Finding Purpose and Small Wins 14:59 The Power of Gratitude and Mindset 20:57 The Power of Gratitude 22:31 Transforming Gratitude into a Feeling 24:16 Retraining the Brain with Gratitude 26:13 The Impact of Nutrition on Mental Health 29:54 Practical Tips for Better Sleep 32:14 The Role of Fasting and Nature in Mental Clarity 36:40 Navigating Social Media and Dopamine Levels 40:51 Understanding Ketosis for Brain Health