Podcast
Questions and Answers
What triggered the speaker's first bout of anxiety in middle school?
What triggered the speaker's first bout of anxiety in middle school?
What did the speaker's parents notice that led them to seek therapy for their child?
What did the speaker's parents notice that led them to seek therapy for their child?
What was the result of the speaker's anxiety attacks?
What was the result of the speaker's anxiety attacks?
What did the speaker struggle with in relation to their anxiety?
What did the speaker struggle with in relation to their anxiety?
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What did the therapist teach the speaker to do to prepare for anxiety attacks?
What did the therapist teach the speaker to do to prepare for anxiety attacks?
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What did the speaker discover could be a therapeutic outlet for their anxiety and depression?
What did the speaker discover could be a therapeutic outlet for their anxiety and depression?
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What did the speaker gain by writing about their feelings?
What did the speaker gain by writing about their feelings?
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What did writing allow the speaker to do with their feelings?
What did writing allow the speaker to do with their feelings?
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What was the effect of writing on the speaker's anxiety?
What was the effect of writing on the speaker's anxiety?
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What did the speaker feel as a result of writing about their feelings?
What did the speaker feel as a result of writing about their feelings?
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Study Notes
Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms
- The speaker experienced their first bout of anxiety in middle school due to pressure from being on a sports team and constant comparisons to others.
- Anxiety caused a pit in their stomach, making them feel scared and uncomfortable.
- Their parents noticed their anxiety and had them talk to a therapist.
Struggling with Anxiety
- The speaker would experience anxiety attacks in unexpected situations, leaving them feeling helpless and disconnected from others.
- They struggled to cope with anxiety, feeling like they were being blindsided and unable to recover.
- Anxiety felt impossible to dissolve, and its unpredictability caused even more anxiety.
Finding a Coping Mechanism
- The therapist taught the speaker to prepare for anxiety attacks by finding ways to cope.
- The speaker discovered that writing could be a therapeutic outlet for their anxiety and depression.
- They began writing about their feelings, acknowledging and confronting them, which helped them gain perspective and feel stronger.
The Power of Writing
- Writing allowed the speaker to look at their feelings objectively, like a third person, and realize they were being too hard on themselves.
- Writing became a tool to calm their mind and clear their thoughts, helping them feel proud and accomplished.
- The speaker found that writing had the power to calm them down and save them from anxiety attacks.
Advice to Others
- The speaker encourages others to find their own coping mechanism, whether it's writing, running, or another passion.
- They advise sitting with anxiety and trying to find a distraction in a passion, rather than giving in to self-doubt.
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of being kind to oneself and doing what brings joy.
Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms
- The speaker's first anxiety experience occurred in middle school due to pressure from a sports team and constant comparisons to others.
- Anxiety caused physical symptoms, such as a pit in the stomach, and emotional distress, including feelings of fear and discomfort.
Struggling with Anxiety
- The speaker experienced anxiety attacks in unexpected situations, leaving them feeling helpless and disconnected from others.
- Anxiety felt unpredictable and impossible to dissolve, causing even more anxiety and a sense of being blindsided.
Finding a Coping Mechanism
- A therapist helped the speaker develop coping mechanisms to prepare for anxiety attacks.
- The speaker discovered writing as a therapeutic outlet for their anxiety and depression, allowing them to acknowledge and confront their feelings.
The Power of Writing
- Writing enabled the speaker to view their feelings objectively, gaining perspective and feeling stronger.
- Writing became a tool to calm the mind, clear thoughts, and feel proud and accomplished, helping to prevent anxiety attacks.
Advice to Others
- The speaker encourages others to find their own coping mechanisms, such as writing, running, or other passions.
- They advise sitting with anxiety and finding a distraction in a passion, rather than giving in to self-doubt.
- The importance of being kind to oneself and doing what brings joy is emphasized.
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Description
A personal account of experiencing anxiety, its effects, and seeking professional help. The speaker shares their story of struggling with anxiety attacks and coping mechanisms.
