I'm excited to share that I've been given permission to release yet another exclusive interview from last summer's Thrive Summit that was previously only available to the MS Gym membership. The topic of discussion is ANXIETY which can become a very real component of living with an unpredictable disease.
From identifying the differences between dealing with true anxiety or just being an overthinker, to the techniques and therapies used to treat anxiety, Dr. Miriam Franco breaks it all down for us in a way that makes it easier to digest. Whether you are currently dealing with anxiety or not, there's a lot to be learned in this episode.
EPISODE NOTES:
What makes having anxiety different from being a worrier or overthinker?
The human survival response and fear
Why zebras don't get ulcers
Over-anticipation of the future
Is anxiety caused by MS or is it a result of living with MS?
Mourning temporary losses
Not knowing where to go for help
Building a "team" of professionals to assist
You DO get to choose your response
When to know it's time to seek professional help
Interrupting the circuit of stress
The confusion around relapses
Relapses vs. pseudo relapses
Effective stress reduction
Fear of being prescribed drugs for anxiety and depression
Distinguishing between fatigue and depression
What is neuronal reserve?
MS fatigue is not the same as normal fatigue
The value of rest to offset fatigue and sustaining neuronal reserve
What is guided imagery?
The difference between guided imagery and meditation
Lowering injection and MRI anxiety
Becoming a mental ally with your MS medication
The ImageryWork app
Claustrophobia and MRI
Coping with anxiety in bite-sized steps

LINKS:
Dr. Miriam Franco
ImageryWork App
The MS Gym
Brooke Slick