The Best of You 184: Stop Running From Anxiety - How to Tell Normal Stress from Unhealthy Anxiety and Find Peace Over Panic
Nov 13, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Dr. Bethany Teachman, a clinical psychology professor at the University of Virginia, shares her expertise on understanding anxiety. She explains how to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy anxiety, emphasizing that anxiety can serve as a useful signal rather than an enemy. Dr. Teachman offers practical strategies to reframe anxious thoughts and build resilience. She also touches on the impact of technology on mental health and provides guidance on managing the effects of doom-scrolling, encouraging curiosity over fear.
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When Anxiety Becomes Maladaptive
- Anxiety is an adaptive danger signal that becomes a problem when it fires too often and mismatches actual threat.
- Clinical anxiety shows frequent false alarms that impair life goals.
Gym Avoidance Reveals Anxiety Loop
- Alison described avoiding the gym after repeatedly running into someone and feeling social anxiety.
- Dr. Teachman explained thoughts, feelings, and behaviors all interact to drive that avoidance.
The Cognitive Triangle Explains Reactions
- Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors form an interconnected triangle shaping anxious reactions.
- Reinterpreting thoughts reduces the urge to escape and keeps you engaged in activities.
