Sanity x ABCT: What to do about Worry with Dr Robert Leahy (Episode 2)

In this second episode, renowned cognitive-behavioral therapy expert Dr. Bob Leahy discusses worry, its evolutionary basis, and when it becomes a problem, and effective techniques for managing it. He explains how cognitive distortions and biases can contribute to worry and provides strategies for addressing both thought content and thought processes. We delve into the concepts of overestimating negative outcomes, human biases, and the impact of excessive worry on individuals. Dr. Leahy discusses techniques such as mindfulness, acceptance, cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation and more. The concept of developing a 'toolbox' of diverse techniques and maintaining flexibility and curiosity in therapy is emphasized, with the aim of equipping clinicians to meet the unique needs of each patient.
00:24 Introduction and Recap of Previous Episode
00:30 Understanding the Nature of Worry
01:28 Techniques for Managing Excessive Worry
01:48 The Concept of Worry Time
05:33 How to Handle Unproductive Worry
06:51 The Role of Acceptance in Managing Worry
08:48 The Impact of Worry on Job Security
14:51 The Role of Medication in Managing Worry
19:34 The Importance of Living a Full Life Despite Worry
24:46 The Connection Between Worry and Avoidance
27:06 Understanding Human Resilience to Trauma
28:15 The Power of Fun and Pleasure in Handling Difficulties
29:14 The Human Ability to Recognize and Discriminate
30:00 The Importance of Threat Detection in Survival
31:29 The Role of Mindfulness and Meditation in Handling Worry
31:42 The Impact of Our Focus on Our Emotions
32:14 Understanding Human Evolution and Its Impact on Our Behavior
33:06 The Goal of Worry Management
33:33 The Power of Acceptance and Mindful Detachment
34:56 The Importance of Specificity in Mindfulness
38:51 The Role of Flexibility in Therapy Techniques
40:11 The Value of Integrating Different Therapeutic Approaches
45:45 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Therapy

[@frankcarlos23]

Great conversation.

[@giannan5467]

I found this podcast through my “Psychology for Exceptional Children and Youth” class. I listened to, “What to do about Worry” on KZbin. The guest in this podcast was Dr. Robert Leahy. He and Dr. Duncan spoke about worry. Mainly, they focused on what it is, why it is a problem, and the evolutionary reason for worry. One of the most memorable parts of the episode is the fact that you cannot suppress your thoughts and worries. Instead, you can make an “appointment” with your thoughts to then learn to cope. I thought this was memorable because of how it was worded, allowing people to think of their thoughts as something to reflect on and address. I believe this podcast could help with my work because it's something that can be tested with research, for example, someone being taught skills to cope with worry versus those who haven’t and seeing if the worrying thoughts had decreased. This episode can be a great teaching tool as everyone worries. Coping with this worry can lead to a decrease in stress and pressure during everyday life.