Anxiety Road Podcast

There are people who are using Beta Blockers to control their physiological symptoms. That is the topic of this episode. What is the medication actual for? Are there risk involved in taking it. Is this a good idea?   I read a post on Oprah Daily on the popularity of this type of drug. I found out that this is something that celebrities and maybe people with performance anxiety do to themselves to get through a stressful performance or meeting.  I also found out that there are companies willing to help you purchase the medication, quickly.   I understand. I do.    But in my opinion, the isn't the way to go about it. It is risky. But I am an advocate of choice. I just want you to make an informed decision not based on popularity and the desire not to experience certain symptoms. Resources Mentioned:  Original article that's listed on the OprahDaily.com website.   Drugs.com page with a description of what Beta Blockers are and the most common side effects. The National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus page on the side effects of Beta Blockers Emergency Resources   The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

This is the episode where I apply the CRAP test to buying anxiety books. Because there are some stinkers on the shelves that you might want to avoid. Which brings me to explain the following. Health care professionals knows the difference between a cure and a treatment. Those folks rarely use the word cure.    According to multiple dictionaries, a cure is a permanent solution that removes or gets rid of a disease. It is totally understandable that 99.98 percent of people want to get rid of their symptoms and have nothing to do with this experience.   But most of us look for help in gas stations, pharmacies and bookstores to try to get relief.  Nothing wrong with that, (ok the gas stations medications freak me out, don't do that) but going in without knowing what you are looking for is a problem.   And let us not forget there are librarians who are more than willing to help you find the right book. All you have to do is ask.   The CRAP test is generally taught to high school seniors or college freshmen by librarians to built their information literacy skills. Before AI, folks had to find their sources and learn the good ones from the bad.   CRAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, and Purpose. There is also CRAAP which adds Accuracy.   Now more than ever we need to apply those skills to what we find on-line and through social media networks.    We can do this, if we know about it and are willing to apply it to the muck that is flowing though the tubes.   Emergency Resources:   The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

There are a lot of websites that provide mental health information. In this episode, a look at one of the original creators of mental health information that is accessible to the general public.    There is a lot of content on the website, so this is an overview of what you might find. Resources Mentioned:  Main website: https://www.psychologytoday.com   Editorial: Editorial Process   Get Help menu example: What is Anxiety? Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode, having a panic attack and breaking down the parts of the experience.  There are stages to it.  If you understand what is happening, it gives you a bit more grace when you go through it. Resources Mentioned:  From the Calm.com blog, How to create a self-care plan personalized to your needs   National Counsel on Aging post on every day self care strategies to support your health and well being.   Mental Health First Aid on how to create your own self care plan.  Emergency Resources   The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Well, you learn something every day. The words of the day is Ruck as in rucksack and rucking as it is known in the UK. Around these parts most people refer to a rucksack as a backpack and rucking is walking intentionally with a heavy pack.  I bring this up because there was an article about rucking to help with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  To my limited understanding, this is also a training activity for soldiers or for people that want to be closer to nature so they head out with a bunch of survival gear and walk into the wilderness.   But you don't have to. You might be rucking and not know it. In this episode, a definition of rucking, does it help with PTSD or anxiety and what role does exercise play in symptom control and mental health. Resources Mentioned:    Military.com has a page on a small study on veterans who walked in both natural and urban centers. There is also a link to the original study and their process of evaluation.  Men's Health has an article about the practice of rucking and some of the things to be aware of should you decide to get started.    The Cleveland Clinic is more specific about what is needed and other items to known.   Harvard Health has a post on Can exercise help treat anxiety? As a solo treatment, no but it is an important part of the treatment process. Emergency Resources   The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimers Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode, a look a the non-profit website of the National Alliance on Mental Health. What does it offer for those of us that have mental health challenges? There is good stuff on the NAMI website. Eh, there is a problem in the episode: I said the word of when I should have said on. I've fixed the visuals but... yeah I goofed. There are websites that claim to provide mental health information. Many of them are commercial for profit websites. Nothing wrong with that but you have to look at the product and what they sell.    Often it is you.    Not just cookies any more there are trackers, bugs and algorithm fences that round you and your information up for profit.   Some websites provide a surface level information that is connected to affiliate links.  Even those sites that originally have nothing to do with mental health issues.    I've seen mental health related articles on tech websites, hardware websites, and so called consumer-ish type sites that are nothing but link farms for products that are being sold under the guise of a review.    So I want to start doing more about describing the legit sites, the tolerable ones and hopefully over time, this will help folks stay away from the more skanky sites.   Resources Mentioned:  NAMI Information page on Mental Health Conditions.   NAMI Connections for Peer Support Group. NAMI Support page for Families and Caregivers. Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.     Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

This is a story about how a bad jar of peanut butter reminded me of some basic life lessons. The ones we say we know but don't implement.  It is like when Cab Calloway sings St. James Infirmary Blues.  Cab gets ahold of a note and pitches it to the heavens before bringing back to earth. You might need to do your own pitching. Maybe it will come back to you. Maybe not.    Take a deep breath, reassess and carry on.   I like both the cartoon animation and him singing it in person. If you need a mind balm, you can't go wrong watching either version.   Resources Mentioned and Implied   National Peanut Board with information about how long peanut products last.   From the 1947 movie Hi-Di-Ho Cab gives a spirited performance of St. James Infirmary Blues.   The Fletcher Studios used Cab Calloway as the template for Koko the Clown dancing in a segment of their 1933 version of Snow White. Basically the filmmakers traced Cab and his dance moves onto Koko the Clown.    Emergency Resources   The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

This is a short episode that briefly talks about social anxiety and three resources that might be helpful when it comes to making decisions about treatment. Resources Mentioned:    The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a brochure on what the disorder is, the symptoms and treatment options   The Social Anxiety Association is a non-profit that specifically helps those with the condition. On the website with a fact sheet, a link to an updated test for Social Anxiety, and a forum for those that want to communicate with others.   The National Social Anxiety Center has a current blog about issues related to having social phobias.  There is a post on shy bladder conditions, social anxiety and the hangover and on on developing conversational skills to reduce social anxiety. Emergency Resources   The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

In this episode, a simple definition of inflammation and the book Immune Health, A Myth Busting Guide. One of those myths is about the relationship between inflammation and mental health. Some days it is a struggle. Facing your known mistakes and dealing with current ones. Not what the episode is about but the name of the book is Immune Health. I said the correct name all but once in the show. I'm past deadline so I have to live with it and accept it.   Gotta say, there is acid churning in the stomach. Facing your true self is rough. Not being perfect is a drag. Or the positive version, why drag yourself down, you are human. Stand up and get on with the day.   Resources Mentioned:    The original Guardian article about inflammation and Daniel M. Davis book.   The UK publisher, Penguin has the sample chapter of the book.   Amazon UK version of the Ebook with an option to add the audiobook.     Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

In this episode, a look at what you can do if you have excessive startle response or you are extra jumpy around certain sounds or experiences.  Resources Mentioned:    What to Eat for Better Mental Health on the Sutter Health website.   Cleveland Clinic on Eat These Foods to Reduce Stress and Anxiety The Mayo Clinic FAQ on coping with anxiety. Harvard Sleep Medicine page on Sleep Hygiene and a page on Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Sleep.   For U.S. Armed Forces service members, the Red Cross has a PDF on setting up a sleep routine   Australian Center for Clinical Interventions web page on Progressive Muscle Relaxation   Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.   Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.