184: Stop Running From Anxiety - How to Tell Normal Stress from Unhealthy Anxiety and Find Peace Over Panic
We spend so much energy trying to silence anxiety. But what if it isn’t an enemy to defeat—what if it’s a signal to understand?
This week, Dr. Alison talks with Dr. Bethany Teachman, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Virginia and director of the PACT Lab, about what healthy anxiety looks like, why it’s actually useful, and how to stop letting it run your life.
Dr. Teachman explains how to know when anxiety is becoming a problem and shares practical ways to calm anxious thoughts, build resilience, and approach your fears with curiosity instead of control. She says,
“Anxiety is uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous, when you stop treating it like a threat, it loses its power over you.”
You'll learn:
The difference between healthy anxiety and unhealthy anxiety
How to recognize when your threat response doesn’t match the situation
Why trying to “get rid” of anxiety often makes it worse
How reframing challenges as opportunities builds resilience
Why doom-scrolling keeps us trapped in fear
Check out more free resources on anxiety:
TYDE (Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment) — A University of Virginia initiative co-directed by Dr. Teachman focused on youth, technology, and mental health.
MindTrails — A suite of digital and mobile interventions designed to help people manage anxiety and increase access to care, including.
If you liked this episode, you’ll love:
Episode 129: Understanding Your Anxiety
Episode 54: Can I Pray My Anxiety Away?
📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here
💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.
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