Matt Gutman: Conquering a Lifetime of Panic Attacks
Sep 12, 2023
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Matt Gutman, renowned ABC News correspondent and author, talks about his personal journey with panic attacks. He discusses the importance of destigmatizing panic attack disorder, alternative healing modalities, managing the inner critic, excavating unresolved grief, and the evolutionary purpose of anxiety. He also explores the power of psychedelics and ego transcendence, mindfulness and meditation, and the paradox of welcoming panic.
Disclosing struggles with panic attacks can reduce stigma and promote healing.
Panic attacks often stem from social fears and the fear of death, causing physical and psychological symptoms.
Deep dives
Importance of Sharing Personal Experiences with Panic Attacks
Matt Gutman shares his decision to publicly disclose his struggle with panic attacks and the impact it had on him and others. He highlights the power of disclosure in reducing shame and stigma associated with panic and the healing effect it can have.
Understanding Panic Attacks: The Role of Fear and Anxiety
Matt Gutman delves into the origins of panic attacks, discussing the evolutionary basis of fear and anxiety. He explains how panic attacks are often triggered by social fears and the fear of death, highlighting the physical and psychological symptoms associated with panic attacks.
Different Approaches to Managing Panic Attacks
Matt Gutman shares various strategies he explored to manage and address his panic attacks. These include pharmacological treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy, and experiences with altered states using psychedelics. He emphasizes that different approaches work for different individuals and the importance of finding what works best for oneself.
The Ongoing Journey Towards Wellness
Matt Gutman emphasizes that wellness requires ongoing work and maintenance. He discusses the importance of sleep, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness practices like meditation. He also encourages individuals to continue seeking support, sharing their experiences, and finding ways to cultivate unconditional self-acceptance and inner peace.
28% of Americans will experience a panic attack in their lifetime. Some researchers say that number is closer to 50%. Renowned ABC News correspondent, Matt Gutman, never felt afraid when assigned to active and dangerous war zones. Yet when he had to speak on live television in front of a viewership of 9 million people, the seemingly unflappable reporter suffered intense panic attacks that nearly cost him his job. To help anyone whose life has been impacted by this often misunderstood mental health challenge, Gutman shares his personal journey in No Time to Panic.
In this podcast, Tami Simon speaks with Gutman about the book and the hard-won insights he brings his readers, exploring: The importance of destigmatizing panic attack disorder; conventional and alternative healing modalities; "retiring the drill sergeant" (aka managing the inner critic); excavating unresolved grief; how panic disorder can metastasize into other psychological issues; physical threats vs. social threats (and how we tolerate them); the evolutionary purpose of anxiety; how vulnerability is often the first step toward healing; the paradox of welcoming your panic; psychedelics and ego transcendence; the power of mindfulness and meditation; and more.
Note: This episode originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.
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