April 1, 2025
Q & A

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Episode Overview
In this episode of the Anxiety Society Podcast, hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner, along with clinical director Ryan Judd, tackle a wide range of listener questions related to anxiety, OCD, and personal growth. From discussing the often-overlooked subtypes of OCD to diving into the complexities of perfectionism, this Q&A episode aims to provide insights and practical advice for coping with anxiety.
Main Topics Discussed
- Understanding Anxiety: The episode opens with Elizabeth and Cali exploring their own anxious moments, emphasizing the importance of recognizing personal feelings and how they contribute to the anxiety experience.
- OCD Subtypes: Ryan sheds light on less commonly discussed OCD themes, including sexual intrusive thoughts and harm OCD, highlighting the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these issues.
- Perfectionism: The hosts discuss the dual nature of perfectionism, considering how it can drive success but also lead to burnout and self-doubt. They emphasize the importance of differentiating between beneficial and harmful perfectionistic traits.
- Therapeutic Relationships: The episode addresses common concerns about therapy, including how to know if a therapist is judging you and whether it’s appropriate to ask about their personal lives.
- Coping Strategies: Practical tips for managing anxiety and panic attacks are shared, including the use of interoceptive exposures and grounding techniques.
Key Insights
- Recognizing and articulating anxious moments can be a powerful step toward understanding oneself better.
- Perfectionism, often viewed as an inherent trait, can be managed and redirected to enhance rather than hinder personal achievement.
- Therapy should focus on evidence-based practices, and it's essential to be comfortable discussing any concerns with a therapist.
- Building mental resilience involves accepting that mistakes are a natural part of growth, especially in performance-oriented settings.
Notable Quotes
- "When my plate is overloaded, I cling to perfectionism—it's a sign of growth." - Elizabeth McIngvale
- "You might mess up, and that’s okay. It won't define your identity as an athlete or a person." - Ryan Judd
- "The ingredient to recovery must come from within yourself." - Cali Werner
Timestamps
- [00:00:08] - Introduction to the episode and anxious moments
- [00:01:29] - Discussion of OCD subtypes
- [00:07:34] - Insights on perfectionism
- [00:12:47] - Therapeutic relationships and self-disclosure
- [00:21:09] - Coping strategies for panic attacks
- [00:33:05] - How to know when it's time to graduate from therapy
- [00:41:00] - Listener Q&A wrap-up
Relevant Resources
- Visit Anxiety Society Podcast for more resources and to submit questions.
- Follow the podcast on Instagram at @theanxietysocietypod for updates and community interaction.
Call to Action
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode. Consider leaving us a review; your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners who might benefit from our message. Join our community and take the first step toward understanding and managing your anxiety!