When Anxiety Says You're The Exception (Episode 163)

[gentle music] Hey, Drew and Josh.

My name is Alex.

I'm a longtime listener.

I've been struggling with agoraphobia for about 14 years.

I did recover, but we're back in the trenches again.

So, uh, this past March, my dog died, and then in May, my nana died, [smacks lips] and then this past June, three weeks ago, my grandma died.

Um, all friends.

Last ...

Two weeks ago, I had to go to my grandma's funeral, which is an hour away.

I've been doing exposure therapy, and I'm able to drive 20 minutes, so this was a really big jump that I had to take.

Um, I, you know, am working with a therapist, did all the prepping work, but came time to go, and I had a panic attack before leaving my house.

[smacks lips] And then I made it, uh, 30 minutes into the drive, and I had another panic attack that got me stuck at a Wawa for about 30 minutes.

I wanted to turn around and go home.

Uh, had called my mom crying, and I decided that I wasn't gonna turn around and go home, and I was going to go to my grandma's funeral because it was very important to me to go because I did not go visit her due to my anxiety before she passed, and I regret not doing that.

So I missed the entire service, but I still made it, and to give my pop-pop, who's still living, a hug was so worth it, and I would do that all over again just to be able to see him.

Um, so yeah, that was my Did It Anyway.

I did something that was very hard, and although it didn't go perfect, and although I still, you know, I'm struggling, uh, with grief and everything in between.

But I just wanted to say thank you guys for all that you do, and yeah, that's it.

And by the way, you can use my name.

[static]

Good job, Alex.

Superb.

Um, what a brilliant, ag- again, values-driven exposure, uh, and really brave, and it was so lovely to pay respects and commemorate, um, y- losing a loved one.

Also, like, it was such a beautiful exposure as well 'cause sometimes, you know, when, when I encourage people to do exposures, it's like, you know, put a reward at the end of it, you know? Go get yourself an ice cream.

Go and do this.