https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

Anxiety is normal. In fact, anxiety is “a perfectly normal, natural, [and] not actually dangerous” behavioral response according to Dr. Colleen Cullinan. It is the body’s response when we feel scared, threatened, or stressed, which happens to all people. The primary care’s job is to not allow that anxiety to interfere in a person’s daily life, not to take it away completely. The former is achievable; the latter is impossible.  

Let’s listen to Dr. Cullinan and learn how to manage anxiety better!

[00:01 - 08:53] Opening Segment

• Welcoming today's guest, Dr. Colleen Cullinan
• Her path to clinical psychology
• Hear her wake-up call

[08:54 - 20:53] Normalizing Being Anxious  

• Mental healthcare and physical healthcare are the same
• Dr. Cullinan explains
• The role of primary care in a child’s mental healthcare 
• It’s normal for people to be anxious 
• Listen to Dr. Cullinan 

[20:54 - 35:17] Managing Anxiety 

• How to manage anxiety and other negative emotions 
• What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at its core? 
• We would not want anxiety to disappear
• Dr. Cullinan tells us why

[35:18 - 48:59] Accessing Available Resources 

• The most challenging part of managing anxiety
• The resources you can access right now 
• Links below
• Why partnerships are important in primary care 

[49:00 - 52:43] Closing Segment

• Finals takeaways
• Primary care and parent-patient trust are key components of integrated behavioral health
• Normalize anxiety 
• Brain, body, and behavior: one activates the next
• Grounding strategies “to manage anxiety
• “Feelings are not facts
• The rules of emotions 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy at its core 
• How to start a conversation with patients 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Whether we like it or not, primary care is the de-facto mental healthcare system in the country, especially for kids.” - Dr. Colleen Cullinan

“Anxiety is designed to protect us. It’s an essential feature of who we are as humans. It’s an evolutionary function.” - Dr. Colleen Cullinan

Resources Mentioned:

• KidsHealth
• Book: Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child
• Book: The Thriving Adolescent
• Pediatric Meltdown episode: Mental Health Advocacy: A Conversation with AAP President Lee Beer‪s
• Facts For Families Guide

Email [email protected] to connect with Dr. Cullinan and know more about her space here.

If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me at LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter or email me at [email protected]. To learn more about me visit https://www.medicalbhs.com/

LOVE WHAT YOU HEARD? Leave us a 5-star review so we can continue to provide you with great content. Share this episode and help people know more about children’s health and well-being.