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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