
Show Notes
In this episode, I sit down with Danielle to talk about our personal struggles with anxiety. We both grew up with some pretty tough stuff – my dad had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and Danielle was raised in an alcoholic home.
We dive deep into how that trauma can really mess with your mental health. But the good news is, there's a way out. It's all about understanding where your anxiety comes from and being kind to yourself.
Danielle shares how she healed from panic attacks and agoraphobia by connecting with her inner child and practicing self-compassion.
So if you're dealing with anxiety, this episode is for you. Let's break down those walls and find some healing together.
Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.
PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
______________________________
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
02:08 - Early Signs of Anxiety
04:21 - Dissociation Experiences
05:30 - The Development of Agoraphobia
06:12 - Therapy and Medication Attempts
08:56 - Anxiety Disorder Clinic Experience
09:57 - Television Appearances
11:05 - Genetic Study Participation
12:15 - Recognition of Childhood Trauma
13:05 - Importance of Connection
14:51 - Understanding the Root Causes
18:13 - Safety and Grounding
20:44 - Realization of Stored Trauma
22:11 - Compassion for Self
24:21 - Meditation as a Game Change
25:26 - Being Present in the Moment
26:31 - Traveling with Anxiety
27:35 - Welcoming Emotions
29:55 - Reassuring the Inner Child
32:53 - Transforming Fear into Empowerment
35:32 - The Role of Resilience
41:37 - Honoring Trauma
44:32 - Understanding Avoidance
45:23 - Finding Safety in the Moment
47:10 - Body Intelligence vs. Mental Intelligence
48:13 - Transformative Life Changes
48:43 - Wasting Time in Anxiety
52:00 - Regrets of Living in Alarm
More from Anxiety Rx
What if worrying is just your mind’s way of trying to stop you from worrying? In this episode, I pull apart the myth that positive thinking can cure anxiety. The alarm in the body and the worries in the mind feed each other in a loop that never ends. Childhood separation leaves a mark when you aren’t seen, heard, or protected, and that’s where the alarm takes root. Growing up with a father who had schizophrenia, I learned to escape into worry as my coping strategy. The real healing began when I turned toward the younger version of myself and felt what I’d spent years running from.
What if the real scam isn’t the robocall, but the idea that your worth is measured in dollars? In this episode, the lie that money can replace human connection takes center stage. A medical system built on billing codes pushed me to trade care for speed, and that disconnection fueled my own anxiety. Scams, ads, and constant grabs for attention keep the nervous system on high alert. The “monetization fairy” gets called out for what it is, and simple practices bring us back to intrinsic value and genuine human connection.
What if being “too sensitive” isn’t a flaw but the hidden root of your anxiety?
Ever pushed yourself to eat clean and work out, hoping it would calm your anxiety, only to feel even worse? Here’s why it happens…
What if burnout isn’t failure, but your body’s protective shutdown? In this episode, I open up about burning out as a doctor and why it went far beyond just being tired. Burnout showed up as a split between my mind pushing forward and the younger part of me saying, “I can’t do this anymore.” The mask of “Dr. Russell Kennedy” gave me income, status, and validation, but it also crushed my sense of self.