Anxiety consists of doubt triggered by 'what if' thoughts leading to negative emotions and physical sensations, emphasizing the three components of anxiety: thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.
Distinguishing between conventional and inwards anxiety, Joshua Fletcher normalizes severe manifestations like panic attacks, encouraging open dialogue and early professional intervention for specific anxiety disorders.
Deep dives
Understanding Anxiety and Its Components
Anxiety is characterized as a feeling of doubt that initiates with 'what if' thoughts followed by various negative feelings like nervousness, panic, and fear, ultimately leading to physical sensations such as fast heart rate and muscle tension. Each person's experience with anxiety may differ but the common thread is doubt and worry, stemming from the brain's threat response. Joshua Fletcher delves into the three components of anxiety - thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations - shedding light on the complexity of this emotional response.
Distinction Between Conventional Anxiety and Inwards Anxiety
Joshua explains the difference between conventional anxiety, arising from common stressful situations like first dates or job interviews, and inwards anxiety, which encompasses more severe manifestations like panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, and agoraphobia. By candidly sharing his personal struggle with inwards anxiety, Joshua normalizes these less discussed but prevalent forms of anxiety, encouraging open conversation and understanding of these challenging mental health issues.
Recognizing When to Seek Professional Help for Anxiety
Joshua emphasizes seeking professional help when anxiety begins to dominate one's day with persistent feelings of fear and doubt. By highlighting the importance of mental health support, Joshua advocates for early intervention and psychoeducation to identify specific anxiety disorders like panic disorder, OCD, and PTSD, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about seeking therapeutic assistance.
Encouraging Therapy as a Powerful Resource for Mental Wellness
Emphasizing the transformative potential of therapy, Joshua underscores the benefits of talking about and processing emotions with a trusted professional to navigate trauma, anxiety, and life challenges effectively. Through sharing personal and client experiences, Joshua demystifies therapy, portraying it as a safe and empowering space for individuals to explore their inner thoughts and emotions, fostering personal growth and resilience.
Join me for an insightful episode with Joshua Fletcher, a renowned psychotherapist and best-selling author, as he delves into the intricacies of anxiety disorders and stress management. With his candid and relatable approach, Joshua demystifies therapy and underscores its transformative potential.
In this episode, Joshua reveals what inspired him to specialize in anxiety disorders and shares his journey in raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health. He offers practical advice for those hesitant to seek professional help and insightful tips on how to start therapy. Joshua also reflects on memorable moments that showcase the power of therapeutic change, providing real-life examples that reaffirm his belief in the positive impact therapy can have.
Additionally, Joshua imparts heartfelt advice to his younger self on mental health, career, and personal growth, making this episode not just informative but also deeply personal and inspiring.
Whether you're new to therapy or seeking to deepen your understanding of anxiety, this episode is brimming with valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in and take the first step towards a more comprehensive understanding of mental wellness.
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Get to know Joshua Fletcher
02:08 Defining Anxiety: A Therapist’s Perspective
06:39 When to Seek Professional Help
10:27 Addressing Hesitancy in Seeking Therapy
13:14 Joshua’s Personal Therapy Journey
15:26 Introducing “And How Does That Make You Feel?”
18:56 Common Misconceptions About Therapy
20:54 Elements of Effective Therapy
25:50 Understanding the Power of Therapy
27:25 The Stress Jug Concept
30:50 Advice to His Younger Self
32:34 Overcoming the Inner Critic
37:08 Joshua’s Parenting Advice
39:55 Final Thoughts
Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/
Follow Joshua Fletcher here: https://www.instagram.com/anxietyjosh/?hl=en
Purchase his new book ‘And How Does That Make You Feel?: everything you (n)ever wanted to know about therapy’: https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9781398713215
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