When The News Triggers Anxiety (Episode 126)

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How do you handle anxiety when the news feels overwhelming?
With constant exposure to current events, political tensions, and global crises through social media and traditional news sources, it's no wonder many people with anxiety disorders find themselves struggling.
This week on Disordered we're talking about the complex relationship between news consumption and anxiety, discussing when avoidance might be helpful versus when it could be problematic. You'll hear about the difference between primary anxiety (normal human responses to disturbing events) and secondary anxiety (fear of your own internal experiences).
Key topics covered:
• Why we weren't designed for constant exposure to triggering content
• The nuanced difference between protecting your mental health and avoidance behaviors
• How news consumption can trigger OCD themes and intrusive thoughts
• The importance of metacognitive awareness in making decisions about news consumption
• Compassion fatigue and the reality of having finite emotional resources
• Practical strategies for finding balance in staying informed vs. protecting your wellbeing

Listener highlights:
• A powerful "Did It Anyway" story about overcoming religious scrupulosity OCD
• Another inspiring update about relationship OCD recovery
• A thoughtful question about wedding anxiety and planning major life events while managing panic disorder

Whether you're someone who doom-scrolls for hours or completely avoids the news, this episode offers a balanced, reality-based approach to navigating current events without letting anxiety make the decisions for you. We emphasize that there's no one-size-fits-all answer – it's about developing the awareness to know why you're making the choices you're making.

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Disclaimer: Disordered is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to Disordered does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the hosts or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoeducational purposes. As always, please consult your mental health and/or medical care providers. If you are having a mental health crisis, always reach out immediately for in-person help.