In this podcast episode, DARE coach Michelle Cavanaugh was joined by Barry McDonagh, the creator of DARE, wherein they discussed the prevalent issue of anxiety and its impact on individuals. They recalled a recent call they had with a health insurance consultant who revealed that anxiety disorders have become the number one concern for people across various demographics. The statistics showed that a staggering $77 billion was spent on mental health disorders in 2020, with anxiety disorder being the most prominent.

Michelle and Barry then answered a question submitted by a member of the DARE community about encouraging a panic attack to worsen when the fear of dying is present. They emphasize the importance of running towards the fear instead of trying to prevent it, explaining that panic attacks are often fueled by the fight against fear itself. By understanding that it is not the content of the thoughts that matter but rather the reaction to them, individuals can begin to diminish the power of anxiety and regain control over their lives.

They also spoke about being aware of our own crutches and the role they play. Throughout this episode, Michelle and Barry provided practical advice and encouraged listeners to implement the discussed strategies to develop their inner confidence and ultimately overcome anxiety.

We hope you find this podcast episode helpful.

Learn more about DARE here: www.dareresponse.com