ARP 369 - A Look At Emotional Freedom Techniques

EFT Tapping, that takes me back a couple of years. Back when there was limited 240x 120 size video on websites. My symptoms were really bad that that time. I tried to make sense of it. I couldn't. Not with a 56k modem. I quickly moved on to other possible help sources.

About a year ago, I saw a EFT Tapping video. I tried it out. It did work for me if I was on the edge of an attack. Not so much if I have a big hella whopper of one, but that might be just me. 

This time, I went looking for answers.

I did find some. Not enough to satisfy folks on the medical evidence-based  side of the fence. 

But in-between the hooey and the functional components is a way of feeling better without risk to the body or the wallet.

This technique has been infused with cognitive therapy, meditation and affirmations. Those things do work. It might not work for everyone. But there are folks that have found relief practicing FTF Tapping.

You couldn't get some of those same people go to a meditation class but they are doing a meditative practice and not know it. That is ok.

So here is the thing. Check out the videos. Read the views at Skeptic's Dictionary & Quackwatch. Read a couple of pages from the EFT manual. 

You might decide that the technique works for you. Or you decide it is a bunch of junk pseudoscience.
Both things can be true. 

It is up to you to decide if you want to add it to your anxiety tool kit.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255.

Or for LGBTQ+ folks, The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Contrary Views of Emotional Freedom Techniques

Skeptic's Dictionary gives a very detailed page about the creators, the practice and the site owners thoughts about the technique. There is also a comments page where folks go deep.

Quackwatch is a website that since 1996 takes a very critical look at claims made regarding questionable health treatments. There is a page on the website that has a few thoughts about EFT. The section on EFT is toward the bottom of the site.

Positive Views of Emotional Freedom Techniques:

The BBC did a video story about the technique, How Tapping Therapy Can Help Calm Your Mind.

The non-profit Kaiser Permanete page on Emotional Freedom Technique

Gary Craig original site was www.emofree.com now re-directs to Palace of Possibilities. 

The EFT International Free Tapping Manual This is a 66-page PDF explaining the concepts of the practice and how to go about it. 

Videos:

Nick Ortner Tapping Techniques on YouTube - please be aware that you will see the tapping techniques but the Ortner family does have goods and services for sale.

EFT Tapping for Anxiety

Ten Minute Tapping Meditation for Anxiety, Stress and Worry

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 368 - Don't Be Grist for the Mill

It has been a few days and some of us are struggling hard. I want to give just a few ideas on how to deal with Class A, what the heck is this kind of pain is this? 

For this space in time, find a moment to just be. For some of us, disassociation is not a bad thing. I don't recommend it for a day-to-day experience but if it gets you to the store and back, score.

For others, you might have a crying jag or two. It is okay. I understand. 

When you are ready, we will start again and work our way to better health. In the meantime, don't be ground down. 

Don't give your time and attention it to the assholes. Keep it moving in a positive direction.

Monitor your news flow. I'd suggest you go cold turkey on it, but that is just me.

Stay with the basics, eat, bathe and find your internal safe place.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 367 Postpartum Support for Moms and Parents

Seems like everybody is catching a little hell. We need to do something about that. Chip at that rock. For folks that are going through Postpartum Depression, there are resources that can help you get through the challenges of having this disorder.

This is a short episode that list two or three resources, depending on how you count them on contacting assistance. If I find more, I'll add them to the resource lists or create another episode.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Postpartum Support International has a helpline, a provider directory and community to assist folks with the condition.

PSI also has a page for Queer/Trans parents experiencing postpartum depression.  

The site also has an app that provides access to information, the helplines and the a community that truly understands the problems of folks that experience PPD or miscarriage.

PSI App via the Apple Store

PSI App via the Google Play Store

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). This is a  24/7, free, confidential hotline is for pregnant women and new moms. Counselors speak both English and Spanish. TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262.

The U.S. Office of Women's Health has a PDF Guide to Identifying Support for Postpartum Depression.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 366 - Postpartum Support for Dads

With attacks on mom and non-mothers, it is easy to forget there are dads that might need assistance too. Giving birth can be a challenging experience. 

There are anxiety conditions that can occur because of pregnancy. In this very short episode, I have a resource from Postpartum Support International (PSI) that might be helpful to the fellas that are finding themselves on the Anxiety Road.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Postpartum Support International (PSI) has a page specifically for dads needing assistance with anxiety or depression generated by pregnancy or birth of a child.

There is also a telephone helpline in English and Spanish 800-944-4773, or you can text help to the same number. The helpline is available from 8am to 11pm Eastern time.

PSI also has an app that can help parents access help and support as well as a community that understands issues related to the condition. You can find it at the Apple or Google Play App Stores.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 365 - A Look At The Book You Will Get Through This

There are a lot of books about anxiety, stress and related conditions. There is junk, AI junk, books that don't work for you and the ones that can change your life.

The book You Will Get Through This; A Mental Health Tool Kit may or may not work for you. 

But you won't know until you first know about it and read a sample chapter. The book is written by two psychologists and a licensed professional counselor.

The style is clear and they get to the point with good suggestions. 


If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

You Will Get Through This; A Mental Health Tool Kit—Help for Depression, Anxiety, Grief, and More

by Julie Radico, Nicole Helverson, Charity O’Reilly published by The Experiment Publishing. 

You can read the table of contents, introduction and a sample chapter that I found on the book page at Kobo.com 

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 364 - Anxiety Books Primer

In this episode, I want to do a dive into what you should know before buying a book on anxiety support or treatment. Depending on how and where you get that book, there could be a certain amount of misrepresentation. 

The topics in this episode include Private Label Release/White Label books, personal narratives and self-help/support and workbooks. One of my goals for 2025 is find current books that help specific populations. 

The music for this week's show is from Logan at www.musicformakers.com. I mispronounced the name of the website and had to take it out.

Wee bit of housekeeping. 

I am a real person. This is a 95% human generated podcast. I do use search engines. Many of them now have embed AI features. I write my own scripts and use an image editor that to my knowledge, doesn't use AI (yet). I use a company called Auphonic that does have AI sound cleaning features. 

Long time listeners know I need all the help I can get in regard to sound quality.

I need to say all of that because there is now technology that an AI generated audio show hosted by two non-human AI voices. That podcast can be created and uploaded in about 20ish minutes. 

There are humans that subscribe to that service. Mainly for income generation. More podcasts, more access to advertiser money. 

For those of you new here, I do not accept ads, affiliate deals or influencer perks. I don’t do interviews for free or for profit. Not saying I’ll never do it but I haven’t in 8 years so yeah, that is a thing.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Descriptive Personal Narrative Resource: Scott Stossel's My Age of Anxiety

Self Help, Support & Workbooks: 

You Will Get Through This: A Mental Health Tool Kit―Help for Depression, Anxiety, Grief, and More by Julie Radico PsyD, Charity O’Reilly LPC, Nicole Helverson PsyD

Combo Personal Narrative & Self-Help/Support: 

From Stuck to Unstuck: Break Free from the OCD & Anxiety Loop Using the Triple-A Response® and Take Back Control of Your Life by Matthew Codde LCSW. There is a website with information about the book. There is also a podcast that talks about mental health issues.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 362 - Boomers, Anxiety and Alcohol

Update: it is actually episode 363 but I goofed. Humanity is assured. 

A quick pebble in the road on those in the population that know what a party line is, not to be confused with the groove line and the collective horrors of swallowing Cod Liver Oil.

Anxiety does not have an age limit or time out feature. Age doesn't necessarily protect you from having an anxiety condition. 

This is just a brief look at some of the things you should consider if you are take a swig to deal with your symptoms.

P.S, really not a good idea.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has a facts information page about aging and alcohol.

The (UK) Royal College of Psychiatrists on Alcohol, Mental Health and the Brain

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Mental Health in Canada page on Alcohol Use in Older Adults

And from the U.S. Veterans Health Library, Unhealthy Alcohol and Drug Use and Mental Health, this has the breakdown on how much an adult can drink in a day. 

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.