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Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball

DIG IN: Understanding Anxiety with Owen O'Kane

6/1/202635 min

Zoe and Jo have a fascinating conversation with therapist and former NHS Mental Health Lead Owen O’Kane. Owen suggests that by working with our anxiety rather than against it we can often see better results. He offers lots of tips and advice about how we can change our relationship with anxiety, and reassures us that we are not alone in dealing with it.

Owen’s book Addicted To Anxiety is Out Now.

As Owen says in the interview, if you feel you need support, do reach out to your GP. More information can be foun...

Clips

Anxiety Cure? 'Frankly, It's Bullshit'
Porn for the Brain
Being Present Without Fixing
Don't Demonize Medication
Walk Toward the Discomfort
Using Anxiety as Performance Fuel

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Jo Whiley· Host0:00

    Coming up on Dig It.

  2. Owen O'Kane· Guest0:01

    When an anxious thought comes along, they are the most tantalizing thoughts. I joked about it once and I said, "It's kinda almost like porn for the brain" [laughs] I started to have panic attacks. I think it was from grief.

  3. Jo Whiley· Host0:13

    Yeah.

  4. Owen O'Kane· Guest0:14

    And then I started to have crippling [laughs] anxiety to the point where I was struggling to work.

  5. Jo Whiley· Host0:19

    I would really, really welcome a conversation about how we help our children. When they are having anxiety, and it's genuinely stuff they've gotta tackle that you have no control over, I honestly find myself lost for words quite often.

  6. Owen O'Kane· Guest0:31

    Let's be honest, let's lay our cards on the table. If you're having a hard time at the minute, trust me, you are not on your own.

  7. Jo Whiley· Host0:36

    Honestly, Eoin, I have to say, I- I actually feel quite emotional listening to you today. Honestly, I think that's gonna be one of my favorite episodes. All of that right after this.

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