Owen O'Kane: Are You Addicted to Anxiety Without Even Realising It?

Apr 21, 2025

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In this powerful episode of Saturn Returns, Caggie welcomes Owen O’Kane, renowned psychotherapist, former NHS clinical lead, and author of Addicted to Anxiety.

With dual training in both medicine and psychotherapy, Owen offers a fresh, compassionate, and deeply insightful look into the nature of anxiety - and why so many of us unknowingly become addicted to it.

Owen’s journey began in Belfast during the Troubles, where anxiety became a necessary survival mechanism. He later transitioned from palliative care to psychotherapy, bringing a unique blend of medical knowledge and emotional intelligence to his work. His new book challenges the way we think about anxiety, urging us not to fight it, but to understand and rewire it.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

🪐 How anxiety becomes habitual—and even addictive

🪐 The link between early conditioning, family systems, and anxious thinking

🪐 The mind's ability to heal and rewire itself

🪐 Practical tools to self-soothe, ground, and manage anxious patterns

🪐 The impact of social media and misinformation on mental health

🪐 Why anxiety isn't something to get rid of—but to live with in harmony

🪐 Embracing courage, risk, and vulnerability to live more freely

Whether you struggle with anxiety daily or feel stuck in negative thought loops, this episode is your reminder that you're not broken - just human. Owen’s gentle wisdom and grounded advice will leave you feeling more equipped to face your inner world with clarity, calm, and compassion.

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