Episode Overview:

In this episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast, hosts Elizabeth McIngvale and special guest, Dr. Ivy Ruths, dive deep into the nuanced and often challenging landscape of childhood anxiety. They draw from personal experiences and clinical insights to discuss the importance of acknowledging and addressing anxiety in both children and parents. The episode emphasizes the necessity to foster resilience and self-efficacy in children while also providing parents with the tools to navigate their own anxieties as they support their kids.

Main Topics Discussed:

1. The rise of anxiety among children and how it affects families.
2. Signs of anxiety in children, including both physical symptoms (like stomachaches) and cognitive distortions (like fear of failure).
3. The pitfalls parents often fall into when managing their children’s anxiety.
4. Strategies for teaching children healthy coping mechanisms and encouraging them to 'do hard things.'
5. The necessity of validating feelings while preparing children for real-world challenges.

Key Insights:

1. It's vital to allow children to experience and work through anxiety to build resilience rather than shielding them from it.
2. Conversations about feelings—both positive and negative—should be normalized within families to help children articulate and manage their emotions.
3. Children are not fragile; they have the capacity to tolerate and learn from discomfort if guided correctly.
4. Each child's experience with anxiety is unique, and parents should adapt their approach accordingly.

Notable Quotes:

1. "We want kids to feel they can do hard things." – Elizabeth McIngvale
2. "It’s okay to feel anxious and still be present with what you're doing." – Dr. Ivy Ruths
3. "When in doubt, seek help. It’s better to seek it too early than too late." – Elizabeth McIngvale

Timestamps for Significant Segments:

1. [00:00:00] – Introduction to Episode
2. [00:01:30] – Discussing the rise of anxiety in children
3. [00:10:00] – Identifying signs of anxiety in children
4. [00:22:00] – Strategies for parents to help their children cope with anxiety
5. [00:40:30] – The importance of open conversations about feelings
6. [01:02:00] – Closing remarks and calls to action

Relevant Resources:

1. Visit the Anxiety Society website:

Miniseries dropping Tuesday, January 20th!

As we embark upon this miniseries, we will delve into the intricacies of navigating anxiety during the Back to School season. This series is meticulously designed to resonate with students, athletes, and families who often confront the heightened pressures that accompany this time of year. We will explore an array of pertinent topics, including parenting styles, procrastination, and the many manifestations of anxiety in students, athletes, and parents. We will address pressures faced in academic and athletic environments, offering insights on how to provide support for independence and confidence. If you find yourself or a loved one grappling with these challenges, you are not alone! Join us to find out more!

In this episode of the Anxiety Society podcast, hosts Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale and Cali Werner welcome listeners back with an open and honest discussion about their personal experiences with anxiety, the complexities of managing it, and the importance of recognizing our controlling behaviors. As both clinicians and relatable voices in the mental health community, they delve into how anxiety manifests in their lives and explore actionable methods for processing anxiety productively.

• Anxiety and Parenthood: Cali shares her experiences navigating anxiety as a new mother of four, emphasizing the need to accept messiness in life.
• Understanding Control: The hosts discuss controlling behaviors that often arise during anxious moments and how these behaviors can be misinterpreted, distinguishing between normal anxious responses and OCD.
• Processing Emotions: They highlight the importance of recognizing and processing emotions rather than avoiding them, marking the difference between productive processing and rumination.
• Productive Processing Techniques: The conversation emphasizes nurturing self-awareness and reflection to manage emotions effectively.
• Seeking Help and Therapy: A nuanced look at the necessity of therapy, its role in symptom management, and how to encourage loved ones to seek help.

• Controlling behaviors may stem from feeling overwhelmed in other areas of life.
• Anxiety waxes and wanes; everyone experiences normalized levels of anxiety in different life stages.
• Processing emotions is essential to understanding one’s thoughts and behaviors, allowing for personal growth.
• Remember that experiencing anxiety doesn't equate to having a mental health disorder, but seeking help is always a positive step.

• “Recognizing the discomfort can lead to healthier responses.” – Cali Werner
• "If you're questioning if you should seek treatment, you probably should." – Cali Werner

• 00:00 - 00:45: Introduction and welcome back.
• 00:46 - 06:10: Personal anxious moments shared by Cali and Elizabeth.
• 06:11 - 13:20: Discussing control, boundaries, and how they relate to anxiety.
• 13:21 - 23:00: Processing emotions and reflection techniques.
• 23:01 - 30:45: The importance of therapy and best practices for encouraging loved ones to seek help.
• 30:46 - 43:00: Listener Q&A segment discussing EMDR, CBT, and the difference between normal and clinical anxiety.
• 43:01 - End: Closing reflections and encouragement to subscribe and engage with the community.

• Podcast Website: anxietysocietypodcast.com
• Instagram: @theanxietysocietypod

If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to the Anxiety Society podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode. Your feedback is crucial—consider leaving us a review to help us reach others who might benefit from our conversations. Join the conversation on social media and stay connected with our community!