Content Warning: We discuss the COVID-19 epidemic on the day that the WHO classified it as a pandemic (March 11th) so some things have come to light about the severity of the disease which we didn’t know on the day of recording. Please keep this in mind as you listen. We have a follow-up episode talking about the Coronavirus coming up in two more episodes. Stay strong, and stay tuned.
Two episodes on the same day! We're here to help you through social distancing.
Health Anxiety, or "hypochondria", is the chronic and persistent anxiety about ones' health. How does health anxiety affect those with it on a daily basis? Can you use Exposure Therapy to change your reaction to the Coronavirus from panic to boredom? 
Joshua Fletcher is a therapist in Manchester and online at thepanicroom.co.uk - he has also written two books on anxiety which you can order online: https://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Fletcher/e/B00MPKAAR6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid;=1585313077&sr;=1-1-spell
Get in touch with us to ask a question, you’d really help our podcast help others! talk@thepanicroom.co.uk
Find us on instagram @joshuafletcher.author and @ellaofthenet

Episode 9: Health Anxiety

Joshua is the author of best-selling books on anxiety, a previous sufferer and a qualified psychotherapist. Co-hosted by Canadian singer, producer, and amateur linguist Ella Jean, The Panic Pod is a discussion-based podcast offering bite-sized practical advice on managing anxiety. It is also an opportunity to illuminate what medical and academic spheres know about anxiety to discuss it in a way that you can take to the pub.

Joshua is a fully qualified Psychotherapist and runs a private counselling practice based in Manchester called The Panic Room.

Contact me: info@theschoolofanxiety.com

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Shaun Flores is an OCD advocate, public speaker, former model and influencer, aiming to have the right influence on the world. focusing on mental health, well-being, and lifestyle.
He is also a public speaker with two TEDx Talks,  TEDx 2022 & TEDx 2018. A third TEDx Talk remains in his periphery to help raise awareness of OCD, and in turn, raise funds for a mental illness that remains severely underfunded and under-researched. He is determined to be the worst thing to ever happen to OCD.
He also is a volunteer advocate for Orchard OCD, the only UK-based charity that is researching faster and better treatment for those with OCD.
https://linktr.ee/theshaunflores
@theshaunflores/ Twitter
@theshaunflores/Instagram
Flores Shaun | Facebook
"He who has a why can endure any suffering."

Young & Black with OCD ft. Shaun Flores

In December 2016, 36 year-old Chester resident Sara Jane Harvey started producing educational, yet entertaining videos about what it's like to be autistic. She is a proud parent to her eleven year-old son, who is also autistic.
With lively interviews, video essays, weekly vlogs and live streams; Agony Autie aims to share and foster autistic pride and culture, raising not just awareness but true understanding of autism, whilst advocating for autistic people's rights and identity.
Sara holds a Media & Culture honors degree and was Sabbatical Women's & Diversity Officer at Lancaster University. A self-employed photographer for many years with noted creative projects like Admiring Autism. Her achievements include speaking at the Crown Prosecution Service, Civil Service, The Autism Shows & with leading recruiters to discuss autistic inclusion in the workplace
Current projects include working with
• Nuffield Health to bring Neurodivergent awareness to the gym
•Panel speaker for the disability Exposition in 2023
•appearing at the Peoples History Museum exhibition on Disability Activism

Neurodivergence ft. Sara, The Agony Autie

Summer is here and it's the time of year when many people and families are heading of on their annual vacation.
For those struggling with disordered anxiety, what 'should' be a nice relaxing time away with loved ones can feel like a panic-stricken week full of challenges.
This topic has been requested by my audience and so this week, I'm joined by one of my favorites, Drew Linsalata.
We discuss the various struggles anxiety sufferers face when going on holiday, our own experiences with holiday anxiety, and some practical advice for managing those trips away.
Enjoy this week's episode!

Holiday/Vacation Anxiety ft. Drew Linsalata

Today, you have the pleasure of listening to my northern accent for 30 minutes. There is no special guest this week but I am covering an incredibly important topic.
Many anxiety sufferers also experience depression.
But what I want to bring to your attention today is the difference between experiencing depression and having a fear of depression.
As anxiety sufferers, our minds are skilled at ruminating and stewing over those 'what if' thoughts.
Depression often becomes a source of worry and then only goes on to contribute to the anxiety we are already trying to manage.
Listen in on today's episode to help distinguish between the two and approach depression from a different perspective, allowing depression and anxiety to feel more manageable.

Depression Vs. Fear of Depression

Talking about poo, is taboo. Yet, it is very common for anxiety sufferers to experience symptoms of IBS.
Today we are joined by Dr Sula Windgassen as we talk about all things irritable bowel syndrome. We cover everything from the basics of IBS, how it is interlinked with anxiety, and how to identify symptoms. Although it can often be an embarrassing topic for many, it is one that needs to be addressed. Without further knowledge and understanding of how our anxiety may affect our stomach and bowels, it may only contribute to greater stress and panic.


Dr Sula Windgassen's background and mission:
I am a Health Psychologist, Chartered Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and EMDR Therapist. I am accredited by the Health & Care Professional Council (HCPC), British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP). I am also a mindfulness practitioner, with certificates from Bangor University & Breathworks.
​
My specialism is using evidence-based psychological approaches for people with persistent physical symptoms and chronic illnesses. My work with clients can focus on the improvement of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, bowel symptoms and urinary urgency, in addition to improved overall wellbeing.


You can find Dr Sula on Instagram @the_health_psychologist_


Enjoy!

Episode 9: Health Anxiety

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