Anxiety Matters

By Bonnie Zucker & Bonnie ZuckerSociety & Culture Science Health & Fitness Mental Health

Anxiety Matters episodes

October 29 Are You Spending Your Time On What Matters Most? How To Align Your Time With Your Values
Following last week's episode with Dr. Pinto, BE and BW discuss how a focus on productivity can distract us from small sources of joy, and share examples from everyday life.
They explore a values exercise that compares what matters to us with how we spend our time, and discuss ways to make room for enjoyable activities.
They also consider how pie charts can help us see the range of factors that contribute to difficult outcomes, including those involving anxiety or OCD.
HIGHLIGHTS:
2:16 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
10:28 Aligning Your Time With What You Value
14:59 Reconnecting With What’s Around You
20:52 Breaking Routine and Exploring Something New
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
28 min
October 22 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): When Perfectionism, Indecisiveness & Procrastination Go Too Far with Dr. Anthony Pinto
The Bonnies speak with Dr. Anthony Pinto, senior director of the Northwell Health OCD Center and a clinical and research authority on obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). They discuss his self-help workbook, which offers practical exercises for people with OCPD and may also be useful to people who relate to some of its traits, such as perfectionism, rigidity, and difficulty delegating.
Dr. Pinto explains how OCPD is identified through persistent, pervasive traits that cause problems in a person’s life, and review its diagnostic criteria and related difficulties, including procrastination and decision-making. They also discuss how OCPD differs from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD involves unwanted, fear-based thoughts and compulsions, while OCPD traits are generally experienced as part of a person’s way of thinking and behaving.
Dr. Pinto goes on to discuss possible influences on OCPD, including heredity and aspects of a person’s environment, and consider how its traits may be helpful in some settings while causing stress or difficulties in relationships and other parts of life. He emphasizes that OCPD is treatable and that treatment can preserve a person’s strengths while addressing areas where they feel stuck.
They cover treatment approaches that include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, emotion regulation, and behavioral experiments. These can help people tolerate uncertainty, adjust their effort to a task’s importance, and make more room for relationships, leisure, and other valued areas. They also discuss how perfectionism can contribute to procrastination, preserving an ideal, and prolonged decision-making.
HIGHLIGHTS:
5:08 Meet Dr. Anthony Pinto
10:16 What Makes a Personality Disorder?
18:05 OCPD Traits and Diagnostic Criteria
24:09 How OCPD Develops
26:52 OCPD Versus OCD
31:47 When OCPD Traits Help—and Hurt
35:16 Treatment: Values, Flexibility, and “Good Enough”
46:15 Procrastination and the Perfect Ideal
52:35 Research, Resources, and Closing Remarks
connect with Dr. Pinto
website: https://www.ocpd.org/new-york-ocpd-directory/anthony-pinto-phd
resources
The Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder Workbook is the first self-help book by experts in OCPD to offer practical and accessible CBT skills for managing the maladaptive behaviors of OCPD. The book is published by New Harbinger and is available in both hard copy and e-book. Here’s the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Obsessive-Compulsive-Personality-Disorder-Workbook-Relationships_and/dp/1648486487
Drs Pinto and Wheaton will be offering a full day course on Friday, January 29, 2027. The virtual CME course will be hosted by McLean Hospital. https://mclean.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=1009&IsExhibitor=false
The Northwell Health OCD Center is an outpatient specialty program for OCD and OCPD. The program offers individual and group therapy as well as medication management. Most forms of government and commercial insurance are accepted. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Center - Zucker Hillside Hospital | Northwell Health
The website of the OCPD Foundation (www.ocpd.org) continues to be updated with new content for individuals and families affected by OCPD. The site hosts the POPS, a self-report questionnaire for OCPD traits and severity, a message board, as well as helpful links for articles, podcast/media interviews, and other education about OCPD. There’s even a link for a free online support group that meets twice per month. The site also includes tailored content for clinicians, including training resources on treating OCPD.
Dr. Pinto is collaborating with a researcher at VCU (Dr. Haynos) who was recently funded by NIMH to study decision making in OCPD (study flyer is attached). Recruitment is underway so please spread the word to your patients. The study is also recruiting for patients with OCD as well as those with anorexia nervosa. A great opportunity to support much needed research in OCPD! The study involves interviews that are done virtually and then a brain scan in Virginia. Compensation provided and travel costs covered.
Here is a description of the study:
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder Decision-Making Study
The REPEAT Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University is currently recruiting adult participants who have symptoms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD; e.g., need for order, control, perfection) and healthy adults without a history of OCPD for a research study.
The goal of the study is to understand if decision-making and its underlying brain function differs between individuals in these different groups. Participants in this study complete 3 study visits over the course of the year. The visits will involve questionnaires and interviews about participants’ mental health and health behaviors (e.g., eating habits), height and blind weight measurement, a brief medical screening with vitals, and blood draw (for some participants), and computer tasks completed during an fMRI brain scan.
Additionally, on 2 occasions between visits, participants will complete online surveys on their smartphone for 2 weeks. Participants will receive up to $500 for completing this study (plus potential bonuses for task and survey performance).
Some aspects of the study can be conducted remotely and reimbursement may be available for some travel costs. For more information, please contact the REPEAT Lab at 804-828-2658 or [email protected], or click here.

CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
56 min
October 15 Can Thinking Something Make It Happen: OCD, Anxiety & The Myth of Powerful Thoughts
In this episode Bonnie and Bonnie discuss anxiety and OCD through the lens of superstition, rituals, and fearful thoughts. They talk about beliefs around lucky objects, knocking on wood, prayers, intrusive thoughts, and the fear that thinking about something bad can make it happen.
They also address manifestation, health anxiety, and why they see real health-supporting behaviors as different from anxiety-driven attempts to prevent harm.
HIGHLIGHTS:
5:11 Anxiety’s Magical Thinking
12:32 Manifesting and Worry Loops
18:25 Health, Habits, and Control
20:05 The Secret’s Pitfalls
22:22 Lucky Objects Exposed
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
26 min
October 08 Pick the Easy Wins: A Simple Fix for Stress & Overwhelm
BZE and BZW speak about anxiety and stress through the lens of physical health, including research on how to relate to future heart issues. They focus on the behaviors that often go along with anxiety, such as poor diet, smoking, drinking, low physical activity, poor sleep, limited social support, and less consistent medical care.
The two also discuss practical ways to reduce stress by changing what is manageable, including improving sleep, increasing exercise, and strengthening social support. A major theme is how small unfinished tasks can build up over time, and encourage writing them down, organizing them, and handling the most stressful item first.
They further explore how perfectionism, avoidance, and poor organization can make tasks harder to complete. The Bonnies close out by discussing how to break larger projects into smaller steps and how self-compassion and small actions can help when exercise or relaxation goals feel difficult to maintain.
HIGHLIGHTS:
3:36 Behavior Drives Heart Risk
6:37 Stress From Small Tasks
12:18 Perfectionism Blocks Progress
16:01 Rebuilding After Burnout
20:32 Move Your Body Now
23:49 Behaviors Over Anxiety
mentioned in episode
WomenHeart: https://www.womenheart.org
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
25 min
October 01 Anxiety Medication, Side-Effects & Finding the Right Fit with Psychiatrist Dr. Kirsten Thompson
The Bonnies speak with Dr. Kirsten Thompson about treating anxiety and the importance of finding a therapist or psychiatrist who feels like a good fit, including meeting with more than one provider if needed. They discuss when medication may be worth considering, how to start slowly for people with health anxiety, and common options such as SSRIs, buspirone, supplements, benzodiazepines, and propranolol.
They also cover the role of therapy and lifestyle changes, the benefits and risks of different medications, and how propranolol can help with performance anxiety. They wrap up by discussing social media, stigma, and Dr. Thompson’s telehealth practice, which provides medication management and collaborative care for patients in California.
HIGHLIGHTS:
3:39 Meet Dr. Kirsten Thompson
5:43 When Medication Makes Sense
10:26 Ashwagandha and Supplements
14:28 Medication Feels Like Failure
16:38 SSRIs for Anxiety
21:45 Managing Side Effects
26:19 Benzos and Safety Risks
35:47 Propranolol for Performance
38:50 Social Media and Misinformation
43:58 Remedy Psychiatry Overview
connect with Dr. Kirsten Thompson
website: https://remedypsychiatry.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/remedypsychiatry
FB: https://www.facebook.com/remedypsych
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
47 min
September 24 When the News Becomes Your Fear: Why Anxiety Makes Rare Events Feel Personal
The Bonnies talk about how rare and frightening news stories can trigger anxiety and OCD, especially around postpartum mental health. They discuss postpartum psychosis, intrusive thoughts, and how anxiety can make people misread normal thoughts or fears as signs of danger.
They also look at similar patterns with topics like suicide or serious illness, and how repeated news and social media exposure can make rare events feel more likely. They close by stressing the value of psycho-education and realistic probabilities, especially for pregnant and postpartum people.
HIGHLIGHTS:
0:49 Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts
4:45 OCD and Suicide Fears
8:04 Threat Bias in Anxiety
10:48 Teaching Realistic Probabilities
14:48 COVID and Catastrophic Thinking
16:23 Managing Uncertainty
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
20 min
September 17 More Than Clutter: Understanding & Treating Hoarding Disorder with Guest Dr. David Tolin
The Bonnies talk about hoarding with Dr. David Tolin, a clinician and researcher who has worked extensively in this area. They begin by distinguishing hoarding disorder from ordinary messiness or collecting, and note that hoarding is characterized by difficulty discarding items, strong attachment to possessions, and often excessive acquisition.
They talk about how hoarding develops over time, including early onset in childhood or adolescence, and how stress or major life changes can make symptoms worse. Also, genetic factors and the idea that hoarding can run in families, while still requiring attention to behavior and environment.
They then focus on treatment. Dr. Tolin explains that hoarding is not the same as OCD, even though it has often been grouped with obsessive compulsive disorders. He describes current treatment approaches that emphasize decision-making training, problem-solving, distress tolerance, cognitive questioning, and motivational interviewing rather than simply forcing the person to throw things away.
They also discuss the importance of insight and motivation, since many people with hoarding disorder do not initially see themselves as having a problem and how clinicians can use Socratic questions to help people examine what their possessions mean to them and whether keeping them fits their values.
Finally, they address family concerns, childhood hoarding behaviors, and the limits of medication research noting that there are no randomized controlled trials of medication for hoarding disorder, though some open trials have suggested possible benefit from certain medications.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1:05 Clutter Versus Hoarding
4:21 The Fire Changed Everything
7:44 Meet Dr. David Tolin
8:38 Hoarding Is Not OCD
11:24 Defining Hoarding Disorder
15:32 Trauma, Stress, and Risk
18:56 Rethinking Treatment Goals
21:26 Therapy for Hoarding
27:47 Time, Values, and Insight
35:06 Health Hazards and Questions
36:21 A Severe Hoarding Case
39:26 Medication Evidence
41:38 Pediatric Hoarding Concerns
45:23 Insight and Self-Referral
connect with Dr. David Tolin
website: https://drtolin.com
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
48 min
September 10 Feeling Understood: The Key to Lowering Stress & Improving Relationships
In this episode, the BZW and BZE talk about how feeling understood in relationships can affect stress, well-being, and even physical symptoms. They discuss how anxiety is often misunderstood by partners and family members, and how advice or pressure can sometimes leave people feeling invalidated.
They also focus on validation as a practical response, including finding the kernel of truth in what someone is feeling and saying things like “that makes sense” or “I can see this is hard for you.” They explain the difference between offering solutions and offering support, and suggest asking whether someone wants advice, validation, or something else.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1:36 Feeling Seen, Feeling Stressed
3:54 When Loved Ones Miss It
5:45 Fixing Versus Validating
8:44 Why Validation Works
12:13 Find the Kernel of Truth
14:22 The Need to Feel Known
16:30 Practical Takeaways for Partners
mentioned in episode
How to Know a Person (book): https://a.co/d/04qD6vzj
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
20 min
September 03 Avoiding the Doctor or Going Too Much: How to Manage Health Anxiety
In this episode, the Bonnies talk about doctor anxiety and how it can lead people to avoid appointments or feel intense worry before routine tests and screenings. They discuss the value of recommended preventive care, the importance of trusting relationships with doctors, and the role of therapy when health fears become difficult to manage.
They also look at the balance between appropriate screening and excessive testing, including how more scans or wearable devices can sometimes increase stress.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1:33 Vet Fears, Doctor Fears
2:40 Screening Protects Health
5:45 Facing Mammogram Anxiety
7:12 Trusting Doctors, Timing Tests
10:22 Full-Body Scan Dilemma
14:12 Too Many Tests
14:57 Wearables and Anxiety
mentioned in episode
Less Medicine More Health by Dr. H. Gilbert Welch: https://a.co/d/01SYYhru
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
18 min
August 27 Medication Matters: What Every Parent Should Know About Psychiatric Medication for Kids & Teens with Guest Dr. Ethan Hockheiser
The Bonnies talk with Dr. Ethan Hochheiser, a board-certified psychiatrist in general and child & adolescent psychiatry, about when medication may be appropriate for children and teens with anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, and related concerns.
They discuss how therapy is often tried first, but medication may be considered sooner when symptoms are severe, functioning is impaired, or treatment is not helping enough.
They review common SSRI side effects in children, including nausea, diarrhea, headaches, temporary activation, and possible weight gain, as well as less common risks such as suicidal thoughts and mania in those with a predisposition.
They also discuss how SSRIs may work, the role of monitoring and family history, and the goal of improving symptoms and tapering medication after sustained remission.
The episode closes with discussion of OCD, premenstrual dysphoric symptoms, and ADHD, including how SSRIs can help OCD and PMDD and how ADHD often responds well to medication.
HIGHLIGHTS:
4:17 Meet Dr. Ethan Hochheiser
9:04 When Medication Makes Sense
15:12 SSRI Risks and Side Effects
19:48 What Medications Mean for the Brain
23:17 OCD, Exposure, and SSRIs
27:06 Treating Premenstrual Symptoms
28:14 How SSRIs Work
31:12 Stopping Medication Safely
32:43 Are We Over-diagnosing ADHD?
36:48 ADHD Treatment Advantages
connect with Dr. Hochheiser
website: https://www.ethanhochheisermd.com
CONNECT WITH THE BONNIE ZUCKERS:
Bonnie Zucker Ph.D.(west)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerphd.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://bonnie-zucker-ph-d.kit.com/d44b57fcdf
Books by Bonnie West: https://a.co/d/04aNJFDZ
Bonnie Zucker Psy.D. (east)
website: https://www.bonniezuckerandassociates.com
Books by Bonnie East: https://shorturl.at/MxvRZ
The content of Anxiety Matters Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mental health or medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional mental health or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call emergency services or a local crisis line.
42 min

About Anxiety Matters

From the publisher's feed

What are the odds of two psychologists, both named Bonnie Zucker, and both specializing in anxiety and cognitive-behavioral therapy, finding each other across the country? When they met, their connection was instant and electric.