logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
24m 26s

Your Anxiety Is Not Special (This Is Goo...

Drew Linsalata
About this episode

Send in a question or comment via text.

This week we're looking at why the anxious fear that bothers you most is NOT special - and why that's actually good news for your recovery.

After receiving countless messages asking me to address specific fears (passing out, heart attacks, going insane), I've noticed a pattern: everyone thinks their particular anxiety is unique, more dangerous, or requires special treatment.

Here's the reality: while your fear feels incredibly real and disturbing, all anxiety disorders follow similar patterns. Your anxiety isn't special because:

  • Everyone with anxiety believes their fear is "the worst one"
  • All anxiety disorders use the same mechanisms to keep you stuck
  • The same recovery principles apply regardless of your specific fear

What makes anxiety "irrational" isn't that these fears are impossible - many feared events do happen in real life. It's how the fear is applied: persistently, disproportionately, and in ways that disrupt your daily functioning.

Recognizing that your anxiety isn't special is empowering. It means you can learn from others who've recovered and apply proven principles instead of searching for specialized techniques for your "unique" situation.

You don't have to fully believe this yet - just consider the possibility. That small opening is your first step toward recovery.

For full show notes on this episode:

https://theanxioustruth.com/312

Support The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. Other ways to support my work like buying a book or signing up for a low cost workshop can be found on my website. None of this is never required, but always appreciated!

Interested in doing therapy with me? For more information on working with me directly to overcome your anxiety, follow this link.

Disclaimer: The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the host or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoeducational purposes. As always, when you have questions about your own well-being, 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.

Up next
Sep 24
How To Calm Your Anxious Feelings | Ep 326
Send in a question or comment via text.If you're struggling with anxiety and searching for ways of calming your feelings, this episode is for you.I break down why the most popular strategies for calming your feelings - like using logic to talk yourself out of anxiety, trying to r ... Show More
30m 53s
Sep 10
Anxiety Recovery: Feeling Good About Feeling Bad? | Ep 325
Send in a question or comment via text.There's whole industry built around helping people feel good about feeling bad, and while validation has its place, this endless cycle of anxiety content might actually be keeping you stuck. In this episode, we explore how consuming validati ... Show More
35m 6s
Aug 27
Anxiety Recovery: Mindset, Belief, and Motivation? | EP 324
Send in a question or comment via text.If you're struggling with anxiety disorders and constantly being told you need a positive mindset, stronger beliefs, and better motivation to recover, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down why these three concepts are tragically misunde ... Show More
30m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 26
325. 4 ways I deal with anxiety in my 20s
We all get anxious at times, but what we forget in those moments is that anxiety is just there to protect us, it's trying to do its job, and the more we lean in and play along, the more we start to feel in control again. In today's episode, we break down the four ways I've made m ... Show More
30m 10s
Feb 2025
The Anxiety Thinking Trap: The Hidden Reasons You’re Still Anxious
Use the code Heart30 to get 30% off the Number 1 Health Anxiety Recovery Program Today. Click Here.  Podcast description:  In this episode of The Anxiety Guy Podcast, we uncover the hidden thinking traps that keeps many stuck in the cycle of anxiety—our deeply ingrained needs. Co ... Show More
18m 51s
Mar 2025
5 Life-Changing Steps to Shift Your Health Anxiety Now
You don't have to struggle with health anxiety forever. Click here to start your true and lasting recovery today. Podcast description: Struggling with health anxiety? In this episode, I’ll walk you through 5 life-changing steps to shift your mindset, regain control, and break fre ... Show More
22m 3s
Mar 2023
What Kind Of Anxiety Do I Have? (Episode 002)
Drew and Josh take a whistle-stop tour of some of the most common forms of anxiety disorder. The guys take time to explain the difference between regular anxiety that all humans experience, and disordered anxiety which becomes a major life-impacting mental health issue. In this e ... Show More
40m 43s
Feb 2025
Revealing the Surprising Nature of Anxiety Symptoms
Break free from fear today! Get step-by-step guidance, clear subconscious blocks, and reclaim your peace. Click here to start healing!: The Inner CIrcle Program. Podcast description:  Your anxiety symptoms might not be what you think they are. In this episode, we’re diving deep i ... Show More
15m 10s
Sep 16
The Anxiety Equation (Part 1)
Ever wonder why anxiety shows up and feels so overwhelming? In this episode, Amanda kicks off a mini-series by re-introducing a game-changing formula that makes sense of it all, what she calls, “The Anxiety Equation”. Once you see anxiety as a math problem, you realize you have t ... Show More
9m 55s
Mar 2025
Why Is My Anxiety Worse in the Morning? Here’s What You Need to Know
Struggling with health anxiety? isn't it time you started healing it at the root? Click here to get started. Podcast description:  Do you wake up feeling instantly anxious, like your mind and body are already in overdrive before the day even begins? In this episode, we dive deep ... Show More
12m 18s
Jul 2023
Anxiety and Depersonalization / Derealization (Ep. 020)
Depersonalization and Derealization - AKA "DP/DR" This week Drew and Josh get into the nuts and bolts of this most common anxiety and stress response. This is the sense that you're not real, that you're detached from yourself, or that the world around you suddenly feels u ... Show More
38m 18s
Apr 2025
5 Subtle Moments That Keep You Stuck in Anxiety (Or Set You Free)
Stop Managing Symptoms and Start The Healing Process Today. Click here. Podcast description: In this episode, I’ll guide you through 5 often-overlooked moments in your day that can either feed your anxiety or lead you toward deep healing. From the first steps out of bed to how yo ... Show More
16m 11s
Mar 2023
How We Got Better (Episode 003)
Join Josh and Drew as they share their own experiences of anxiety recovery and what it means to get better when you're struggling with an anxiety disorder. Common themes in this episode include: Eliminating avoidance Choosing to willfully tolerate anxiety and the sensations/t ... Show More
34m 1s