Episode Overview: In this Q&A episode, Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale & Cali Werner tackle listener-submitted questions about navigating anxiety in everyday life. They discuss practical strategies for managing negativity, overcoming imposter syndrome, finding balance between productivity & rest, coping with current events, & understanding the difference between OCD & preferences. Plus, they offer insights into how parents’ anxiety can impact children & how to foster a healthier relationship with discomfort.

Key Insights:

• Balancing Self-Compassion, Grace, & Behavior Change: It's crucial to find the right mix of self-compassion, grace, & behavior change when addressing negativity. Excessive self-compassion can lead to stagnation, while focusing solely on behavior change without self-acceptance can be counterproductive.
• Reframing Productivity: Relaxation & connection are productive activities. It’s essential to evaluate which activities truly drain your energy versus those that fill your tank.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Moving through imposter syndrome is key. Acknowledge feelings of inadequacy, but don't let them paralyze you. Embrace new challenges as learning opportunities.
• Setting Boundaries with Current Events: Limit exposure to news & social media to manage anxiety related to current events. It’s okay to set boundaries in conversations with friends & family.
• OCD is Not a Positive Performance Enhancer: OCD is disruptive & dysfunctional. It doesn’t improve performance; it hinders it by consuming mental energy.
• Anxiety in Parenting: Children are perceptive + sense their parents’ anxieties. Open communication + modeling healthy coping mechanisms are vital.

Notable Moments & Timestamps:

• [01:10] Cali shares her anxious moment about adopting two new puppies.
• [03:20] Elizabeth discusses her anxious moment about negativity during pregnancy.
• [05:25] Q&A begins with a discussion on managing negative self-perception.
• [07:51] Addressing guilt + productivity, + the importance of rest.
• [13:02] Strategies for managing imposter syndrome.
• [20:17] Exposures for anxiety about something bad happening.
• [23:19] Managing the need to be hyper-productive.
• [26:10] Coping with terror related to current events.
• [29:01] Debunking the myth that OCD enhances performance.
• [35:19] How parents’ anxiety affects children.
• [43:16] Increasing willingness to tolerate discomfort + start treatment.

Call to Action:

Submit your questions for future Q&A episodes via our website or social media! Subscribe to the Anxiety Society Podcast on your favorite platform + leave a review. Join our growing community on Instagram!

Overview:

In this episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast, host Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale dives deep into the complex relationship between trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. Joined by expert clinician Emily Weems, the discussion touches on effective treatment modalities, common misconceptions, and the powerful journey towards healing. Listeners can expect a candid conversation filled with personal anecdotes, clinical insights, and a hopeful message for those struggling with trauma-related disorders.

Main Topics Discussed:

• The definition and nuances of trauma and PTSD.
• The comorbidity of PTSD with other disorders like OCD.
• Personal anecdotes illustrating the hosts' journey with anxiety and parenting challenges.
• The importance of evidence-based treatment and the effectiveness of different therapeutic modalities.
• The significance of understanding the distinctions between trauma responses and PTSD.
• Misuse of the term "PTSD" in everyday language and its implications for treatment.
• The hope and recovery available through proper trauma-focused therapy.

Key Insights:

• PTSD is characterized by specific symptom clusters, including re-experiencing, avoidance, and emotional arousal, which can manifest differently in each individual.
• Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, highlighting the significance of resilience and recovery.
• Effective PTSD treatment modalities include Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Written Exposure Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
• Significant personal growth and healing can result from trauma work, allowing individuals to redefine their narratives beyond their traumatic experiences.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Everyone deserves to heal, and it's important that we extend compassion to ourselves." – Emily Weems
2. "What is more difficult is living with untreated PTSD." – Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale
3. "Without our struggle, we wouldn't know our strength." – Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale

Timestamps:

• [00:00:01] Introduction and welcome back from maternity leave
• [00:01:30] Discussing the intersection of trauma and anxiety
• [00:12:00] Defining trauma and PTSD
• [00:30:00] Misuse of the term "PTSD"
• [00:45:00] Effective treatment options for PTSD
• [00:54:00] Personal growth through trauma recovery

Relevant Resources:

• OCD Texas: Website
• Anxiety Society Podcast: anxietysocietypodcast.com

Call to Action:

If you found value in today's episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform, share your thoughts in a review, and connect with us on social media at @theanxietysocietypod. Your feedback helps us reach others who might benefit from our conversations about anxiety and trauma. Together, we can contribute to a more compassionate understanding of these mental health challenges.

In this episode of the Anxiety Society podcast, hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner welcome Emily Hahn, a certified eating disorder dietitian and founder of We All Eat Nutrition Therapy. Together, they explore the complexities of eating disorders, the stigma surrounding them, and the importance of a non-diet approach to recovery. The discussion is rich with personal anecdotes, expert insights, and practical tips for those navigating their journeys with food and body image.

• The role of society and culture in defining anxiety and eating disorders.
• The common misconceptions about who suffers from eating disorders and the various forms they take.
• Understanding the non-diet approach and its benefits in treating eating disorders.
• The psychological and physical impacts of eating disorders.
• Strategies for recovery and what supportive treatment looks like.

• Dieting Risks: Emphasizing that dieting can lead to disordered eating—a significant risk factor for developing eating disorders.
• Diverse Experiences: Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender, and do not always fit the stereotypical image.
• Importance of Support: Recovery is possible, and fostering healthy conversations around food is crucial for those on the journey to healing.
• Holistic Approach: Recovery should involve a team that includes therapists and dietitians working collaboratively to address both emotional and nutritional needs.

• "Dieting is risky. I know they sell it well, but you must be mindful before entering into anything that might be harmful." - Emily Hahn
• "Eating disorders look many different ways, and often people do not recognize their struggles based on preconceived notions." - Emily Hahn
• "You can like your body and that’s okay; enjoying food and not stressing about it is possible." - Emily Hahn

• 00:00 - 02:21: Introduction to the episode and guest.
• 02:22 - 11:00: Discussion on common eating disorder myths and cultural impacts.
• 11:01 - 25:00: Overview of non-diet approaches and their significance.
• 25:01 - 37:41: Emily shares personal experiences highlighting the importance of seeking help.
• 37:42 - 43:12: Closing thoughts on recovery and future discussions.

• We All Eat Nutrition Therapy
• International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals
• Houston Eating Disorder Specialists

Thank you for joining us today on the Anxiety Society podcast! To stay connected and access additional resources, visit our website at anxietysocietypodcast.com and follow us on Instagram at @theanxietysocietypod. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoyed what you heard, please consider leaving us a review. Your feedback helps us improve and reach others that might benefit from hearing our message!