Anxiety disorders are on the rise today, and the world we live in doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. According to the World Health Organization, anxiety has increased by 25% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, psychiatrist and author Ellen Vora joins us to discuss the main message of her new book, “The Anatomy of Anxiety.” We discuss generalized anxiety disorder, how to deal with anxiety as a woman, different factors that contribute to mental health, lifestyle changes vs anxiety medication, and more. If you or someone you care about struggles with anxiety symptoms, make sure to check out Ellen’s book.

Ellen Vora, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. She is the author of the bestselling book “The Anatomy of Anxiety”. She takes a functional medicine approach to mental health—considering the whole person and addressing imbalance at the root. Dr. Vora received her B.A. from Yale University and her M.D. from Columbia University. 

Discussed in this episode:

• Dr. Ellen Vora’s work as a psychiatrist 
• Understanding false anxiety and real anxiety, and how to know the difference
• Genetic vs psycho-spiritual influences on mental health 
• Getting clear on lifestyle changes for anxiety 
• Medication as a bridge out of mental suffering, not a quick-fix solution
• Women’s hormonal effects on anxiety and experiencing valid emotions
• Crafting an environment and community that feels good to you

“True anxiety is actually what’s right with us when we are able to viscerally connect to what’s wrong around us. It’s not something to pathologize — it’s something to slow down and heed its guidance.” - Ellen Vora

Related to this episode:

• Get Ellen Vora’s Book: The Anatomy of Anxiety
• Website: www.ellenvora.com 
• Follow Ellen Vora on Instagram: @ellenvoraMD
• Mentioned Episode: Ovulation is Critical for Women’s Health | Dr. Jerilynn Prior

• Resources and episodes on Mental Health

• Recommended Books on Mental Health

If you're passionate about advancing women's health, there are many ways you can support the Fempower Health Podcast. Here's how:

1. Subscribe and Listen: Tune in to new episodes every Tuesday by subscribing to the Fempower Health Podcast on iTunes or Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. Your regular listenership is invaluable!
2. Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover our podcast.
3. Share with Others: Spread the word by sharing episodes with friends, family, or anyone interested in women's health. Every share helps!
4. Engage with Our Community: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for the latest updates and engaging content.
5. Stay Informed: Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive the latest announcements, news, and research directly in your inbox.
6. Reach Out: We love hearing from you! Reach out for inquiries, outreach, or even to share your questions and topics of interest.

Together, let's build a stronger community dedicated to women's health. Your support is crucial in this journey!

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

**Contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**