In this episode of the Anxiety Society podcast, hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner welcome listeners back with an open and honest discussion about their personal experiences with anxiety, the complexities of managing it, and the importance of recognizing our controlling behaviors. As both clinicians and relatable voices in the mental health community, they delve into how anxiety manifests in their lives and explore actionable methods for processing anxiety productively.

• Anxiety and Parenthood: Cali shares her experiences navigating anxiety as a new mother of four, emphasizing the need to accept messiness in life.
• Understanding Control: The hosts discuss controlling behaviors that often arise during anxious moments and how these behaviors can be misinterpreted, distinguishing between normal anxious responses and OCD.
• Processing Emotions: They highlight the importance of recognizing and processing emotions rather than avoiding them, marking the difference between productive processing and rumination.
• Productive Processing Techniques: The conversation emphasizes nurturing self-awareness and reflection to manage emotions effectively.
• Seeking Help and Therapy: A nuanced look at the necessity of therapy, its role in symptom management, and how to encourage loved ones to seek help.

• Controlling behaviors may stem from feeling overwhelmed in other areas of life.
• Anxiety waxes and wanes; everyone experiences normalized levels of anxiety in different life stages.
• Processing emotions is essential to understanding one’s thoughts and behaviors, allowing for personal growth.
• Remember that experiencing anxiety doesn't equate to having a mental health disorder, but seeking help is always a positive step.

• “Recognizing the discomfort can lead to healthier responses.” – Cali Werner
• "If you're questioning if you should seek treatment, you probably should." – Cali Werner

• 00:00 - 00:45: Introduction and welcome back.
• 00:46 - 06:10: Personal anxious moments shared by Cali and Elizabeth.
• 06:11 - 13:20: Discussing control, boundaries, and how they relate to anxiety.
• 13:21 - 23:00: Processing emotions and reflection techniques.
• 23:01 - 30:45: The importance of therapy and best practices for encouraging loved ones to seek help.
• 30:46 - 43:00: Listener Q&A segment discussing EMDR, CBT, and the difference between normal and clinical anxiety.
• 43:01 - End: Closing reflections and encouragement to subscribe and engage with the community.

• Podcast Website: anxietysocietypodcast.com
• Instagram: @theanxietysocietypod

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Episode Overview:

In this episode, host Cali Werner welcomes special guest Jelani Daniel, a seasoned clinician specializing in anxiety and related disorders. Together, they explore the complexities of hoarding disorder, its psychological impacts, and the importance of compassion and understanding in supporting those affected. They discuss common misconceptions about hoarding, the distinctions between hoarding and collecting, and share valuable resources for both individuals struggling with hoarding and their loved ones.

Key Insights:

• What is Hoarding Disorder? Defined by persistent difficulty in discarding possessions, regardless of their value, which can severely impact living spaces.
• Misconceptions: The portrayal of hoarders in media, especially reality TV, often emphasizes extreme cases and does not represent the average experience.
• Hoarding vs. Collecting: Important distinctions exist; collectors are organized and display items, whereas hoarding presents a cluttered living environment without utility.
• Support for Family Members: Encouragement for family and friends to seek their own support while navigating the challenges of living with or supporting someone who hoards.

Notable Quotes:

• "Hoarding can look a lot of different ways." – Cali Werner
• "Cleanouts do not treat the individual; they treat the house." – Jelani Daniel
• "Not all clutter is hoarding, and not all clutter is due to hoarding disorder." – Jelani Daniel

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] - Introduction to the episode and hosts
• [00:01:10] - Introduction of guest Jelani Daniel
• [00:05:00] - Discussion on what defines hoarding disorder
• [00:10:09] - Impact of hoarding on individuals and families
• [00:16:45] - Misconceptions about hoarding vs. collecting
• [00:24:38] - Understanding the psychological aspects of treatment
• [00:39:40] - Resources for family members and support groups
• [00:43:01] - Conclusion and call to action

Relevant Resources:

• Houston OCD Support: houstonocdsupport.org
• Family as Motivators: gregchasson.com
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): nami.org

Call to Action:

If you found insights in this episode beneficial, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform, leave us a review, and share your thoughts or questions on social media! Connect with us on Instagram @theanxietysocietypod or visit our website at anxietysocietypodcast.com to engage with our growing community.

In this episode of the Anxiety Society podcast, hosts Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner welcome back Dr. Emily Bailey for an engaging discussion on the pervasive issue of perfectionism. They explore how perfectionism impacts mental health, fuels anxiety, and creates unrealistic expectations. The conversation delves into personal experiences, misconceptions, and practical strategies for overcoming perfectionistic tendencies, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections and focusing on meaningful values.

• Defining perfectionism and exploring its dual nature: healthy versus maladaptive forms.
• The role of perfectionism in anxiety, OCD, depression, and eating disorders.
• The link between perfectionism and procrastination as well as imposter syndrome.
• The impact of social media on perfectionistic tendencies, especially among younger generations.
• Practical strategies for managing perfectionism, including identifying personal values and cultivating a growth mindset.

• Perfectionism can drive achievement but often leads to anxiety, procrastination, and feelings of inadequacy.
• Social media amplifies perfectionistic expectations by encouraging constant comparisons.
• It’s important to distinguish between healthy perfectionism that motivates growth and maladaptive perfectionism that hinders well-being.
• Embracing imperfections and learning from mistakes is crucial in reducing perfectionistic pressures.
• Recognizing personal values and focusing on meaningful actions can help counteract the negative effects of perfectionism.

• "Perfectionism can be maladaptive. It can lead to procrastination and a fear of failure." – Dr. Emily Bailey
• "Sometimes we make something all of who we are, and I think the pressure's too much." – Cali Werner
• "Think about what’s important to you, because that’s not always going to be what anxiety and perfectionism says is important." – Dr. Emily Bailey

• 00:08 – Introduction to the podcast hosts and purpose of the episode.
• 01:10 – Welcoming Dr. Emily Bailey; discussion of the topic of perfectionism.
• 02:57 – Personal anxious moments shared by the hosts.
• 05:01 – Defining perfectionism and its impact on personal experiences.
• 12:02 – The clinical perspective on perfectionism and mental health issues.
• 17:10 – Discussion on procrastination and imposter syndrome related to perfectionism.
• 27:00 – The role of social media in exacerbating perfectionistic tendencies.
• 39:11 – Strategies for overcoming perfectionism and embracing growth.

• Anxiety Society Podcast Website
• Follow us on Instagram @theanxietysocietypod

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