The Panic Pod: Anxiety Help

Episode 7: Instant Gratification

Ella poses the question to Josh: What if you’ve followed all of your therapists advice, read all the books, tried all the techniques and still feel anxious? Josh explains the concept of “testing” and how sometimes we have to let go of trying so hard to ‘get better’ in order to find relief for our anxiety.

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Avoidance in the context of panic can prevent us from growing out of our overthinking habits. Ella has a fear of word documents and isn’t afraid to share. Josh and Ella discuss what their anxiety-coping ‘patronus charm’ might be.

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Content Warning: We do discuss the moment-to-moment sensations of a panic attack in this episode, so if this is sensitive for you please make an educated decision before you listen.

“What If…?” is a common intrusive thought for those experiencing chronic anxiety. It is frequently experienced alongside a sense of dread or doom. In this episode, Josh provides us with tools to recognise when one’s fears are irrational, and how to remind yourself that panic is not danger.

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If you’re about to have a panic attack on a train, who would you rather be travelling with? The friend who calmly observes what’s happening and reassures you that the outcome will be okay? Or the friend who is embarrassed by you and tries to stop you so you don’t cause a scene? In this episode, Ella’s voice doubles up as a sat nav, Josh explains the term “exposure” and how it applies to overcoming the body’s response to anxiety triggers, and generational perspectives on anxiety still demonstrate why it’s never too late to seek help for your anxiety. 

Do you want to get in touch with us? We'd love to hear from you at [email protected]

Many of the people Josh sees ask, "Where does anxiety come from?". In fact, when Josh and Ella first met, Ella asked the same question. Is it something you develop? Can you "give" someone anxiety? Why does it seemingly appear out of nowhere? Using a metaphor to describe the threshold of anxiety, we can better manage our relationships with fear and anxiety.

Josh asks Ella “What is Anxiety?” and boy, is it ever a loaded question. Josh explains the what anxiety is from an emotional perspective as well as giving insight into what different parts of the brain are being activated for the “fight or flight” response. This is a longer episode, because the question takes some considerable time to answer.

Content Note: While we do joke around a lot, we also discuss our experiences with panic attacks and anxiety and at times describe details which listeners may find unsettling. Please be mindful of this as you listen.

Josh is the author of best-selling book, Anxiety: Panicking about Panic, and the follow-up, Anxiety: Practical about Panic. He is a fully qualified Psychotherapist with a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Keele University and he also runs a private counselling practice based in Manchester called The Panic Room. Joshua spends his career helping others overcome anxiety and panic, by working with people directly in his practice, or writing self-help books on the topic.

Ella Jean is a Canadian singer and producer living in the UK. She is in a band called UGLY based in London and an alternative comedy troupe called A.C.I.D! based in Leeds. She first met Josh in 2016 before releasing her first mixtape Facetious Emo Niece and performing 25 hour-long improvised cabaret performances at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018. Ella has a degree in linguistics and spends her career producing songs and podcasts.

Ella asks Josh about his background and the reasons for starting the podcast. Josh is unprepared for Ella to open up about her experience with panic attacks. Josh gives an overview of different types of anxiety and what a panic attack is. Ella clarifies her role in that this podcast is not a free therapy session. Josh has a big head, but only in a literal sense.

Content Note: While we do joke around a lot, we also discuss our experiences with panic attacks and anxiety and at times describe details which listeners may find unsettling. Please be mindful of this as you listen.

Josh is the author of best-selling book, Anxiety: Panicking about Panic, and the follow-up, Anxiety: Practical about Panic. He is a fully qualified Psychotherapist with a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Keele University and he also runs a private counselling practice based in Manchester called The Panic Room. Joshua spends his career helping others overcome anxiety and panic, by working with people directly in his practice, or writing self-help books on the topic.

Ella Jean is a Canadian singer and producer living in the UK. She is in a band called UGLY based in London and an alternative comedy troupe called A.C.I.D! based in Leeds. She first met Josh in 2016 before releasing her first mixtape Facetious Emo Niece and performing 25 hour-long improvised cabaret performances at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018. Ella has a degree in linguistics and spends her career producing songs and podcasts.