"Temping Fate" In Anxiety Recovery? (Episode 140)
Have you ever felt anxious about admitting you're doing better? Like saying "I'm okay" out loud might somehow jinx your progress or tempt fate?
In this episode, Drew and Josh explore that uncomfortable feeling when someone asks "How are you doing?" and you're caught between wanting to acknowledge improvement and being afraid that talking about it will make everything fall apart again.
What we discuss:
- Why the question "How are you?" can feel triggering when you're recovering from an anxiety disorder
- The superstition around "tempting fate" and what's really happening beneath it
- How different contexts change what we mean by "doing okay" (spoiler: anxiety can be present while you're still doing okay)
- The authenticity trap - feeling like you're lying either way
- Why "I'm doing okay at the moment" might be the most honest answer you can give
- How this fear shows up in OCD, health anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia
- The difference between attention-driven fear and superstitious fear
- Why letting go of control can feel like tempting fate (and why that's exactly the practice)
Featured segments:
- Community "Did It Anyway" stories highlighting real progress without promising outcomes
- Discussion of how exposures work when they feel risky or reckless
- Practical suggestions for navigating social questions about your wellbeing
This episode may be helpful for anyone struggling with the fear of acknowledging improvement, or who finds themselves avoiding conversations about their anxiety recovery.
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The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.
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Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners? The Disordered app is nearing release! Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information..
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Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out Worry and Rumination Explained, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.
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Disordered Roundtable is coming! Think of it as "Disordered Live", a way for members of our audience to spend time with us in an intimate virtual setting (attendance is limited) to engage in real time sharing and discussion on specific anxiety disorder and recovery topics. To be notified when new Disordered Roundtable sessions are scheduled, sign up for our email list using the form on this page.
