Hey everyone, welcome back! I’m Jenna, and today we are diving into a really fun topic. I’m actually going to talk to you about the new character in Inside Out 2. I went yesterday to see it with my six-year-old Eli, and it was so fricking good. As an OCD and anxiety therapist who has been treating these conditions and has personal experience with OCD and anxiety from the past, I was blown away at how accurate and spot-on the depiction of anxiety was. Even as a 34-year-old adult, I could relate to it. So, I want to talk to you about three key takeaways that are super relevant to our journey when it comes to OCD and anxiety.
Here’s a little preview of what we’ll cover:
Before we get started, if you are looking for more in-depth strategies to manage your anxiety and OCD, keep your eyes and ears peeled. In a couple of weeks, I will be talking more about my Seven Day Breakthrough Challenge. It’s packed with actionable steps to help you take control of your life and start to learn new ways of dealing with your anxiety. So, keep an eye out for that.
I’m Jenna Overbaugh, a licensed therapist who’s been working with people who have OCD/anxiety since 2008. I am all about helping you get your life back so OCD and fear no longer keep you feeling so small. Follow along for tons of resources, guidance, and encouragement to do ALL THE HARD THINGS!
Website: www.jennaoverbaughlpc.com (free newsletter + resources)
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Disclaimer: Please note that the information/resources offered on this podcast is not, nor is it intended to be, therapy or a replacement for therapy. It does not constitute a client/therapist relationship.
I’m thrilled to share a guest interview with Denise Rickenbach, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Together, we’re diving into topics (like OCD and perfectionism) that many of you face daily! If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to turn or what might work for you, this episode offers tips, tools, and encouragement to help you on your journey. It’s especially helpful for moms and parents seeking guidance or new strategies to support themselves and their families.
We will cover:
Religious OCD struggles
Dealing with symptoms from childhood
Navigating these challenges as a parent
You can find the full shownotes here: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/ocd-and-perfectionism
💥 Ready to break free from anxiety and intrusive thoughts? Join my Seven-Day Breakthrough Challenge!: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/breakthrough
💪 Ready to conquer OCD/anxiety? Explore The OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint – with or without a therapist: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/blueprint
⚡ Sign up for my FREE Masterclass, Break Free Power Hour, on Taking Control of Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts: https://www.jennaoverbaughlpc.com/power
👏 Unlock your free 40-minute video on “5 Must-Know Strategies for Handling Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts”: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/strategies
🧠 Start your transformation today with the Mental Compulsion Mini Course referenced in this episode: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/mental-compulsions
DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that Jenna is not your therapist. She does not provide you with individualized recommendations or advice. The information provided is intended as educational information only. Jenna cannot tell you what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, or give recommendations based on your unique situations or circumstances. Nothing on this page or Site should be construed as therapeutic recommendation or personalized advice. If you are in need of such services, please consult with a physician or other medical provider right away to determine the best course of action for you. We are not responsible for your use of this page, this website, or the contents within. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU READ OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE AND CONTENT. For more information, please read the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimer. Your continued use of this platform, this page, and the contents within constitutes as your agreement with this agreement.
© 2024 Jenna Overbaugh, LLC, All Rights Reserved
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Now, let’s talk about this new character, Anxiety, in Inside Out 2.
For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, Inside Out is a movie that personifies emotions as characters inside a young girl’s mind. The sequel, released in June 2024, introduces a couple of new characters: Embarrassment, Envy, Ennui (a cool, chill, can’t-be-bothered-by-anything character), and of course, Anxiety. It’s fascinating to see how they depict this complex emotion.
The first takeaway was how they normalized the experience of anxiety. It’s interesting that until Riley, the main character, turns 13, she had fear but not anxiety. Fear is about immediate, actionable threats happening right now, while anxiety is about anticipating and preparing for future events. They depicted this perfectly.
Even my son Eli, who is six, has some anxiety about things, but it’s different from what a 13-year-old or an adult experiences. The movie showed anxiety as a necessary and even helpful emotion, which aligns perfectly with what I talk about in my podcast and digital courses. Anxiety, in and of itself, is not the enemy. It’s a natural response meant to protect us and help us prepare for the future.
However, the problem arises when anxiety becomes excessive and interferes with daily life. In my work, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help manage anxiety. We’re not trying to eliminate anxiety but change our relationship with it. By facing our fears and reducing safety behaviors and avoidance, we learn that anxiety is manageable and not as threatening as it seems.
And while we are on this subject of managing anxiety, I want to take a second to dive deeper into what my digital course, the OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint is all about. It’s more than a course, it truly is a ticket to freedom on the other side of that awful, awful ocean that you feel like you’ve just been treading on forever. No more endless cycles of anxiety and scary thoughts holding you back. No more feeling like you’re tiptoeing around a real life haunted house.
With the OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint, you are finally going to break free from the chains of your mind and be able to step into a life of clarity, freedom and confidence. This course isn’t just about managing your symptoms. I believe that we are not here to just get by. It’s about reclaiming your power, your joy, and your sense of self, and saying saying goodbye to the pain and frustration of living with OCD and anxiety. You’re going to learn how to prevent rituals, prevent mental compulsions, and prevent physical compulsions that are holding you back.
You’re going to learn how to do the hard things, how to expose yourself to what used to be absolutely terrifying, and you’re going to emerge stronger, braver, and more resilient than you could have ever freaking imagined. Join me inside now!
Watching how the main character Riley and the other emotions interact with the Anxiety emotion reminded me of how critical it is to treat ourselves with kindness and self-compassion. The characters learn to understand and accept Anxiety rather than fight it, which is a crucial lesson for all of us.
This ties into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), another strategy I use. ACT teaches us to accept our emotions and commit to actions that align with our values. Instead of battling anxiety, we can acknowledge it and move forward with compassion. We can see its usefulness in some situations without letting it run the show. The movie beautifully illustrated that by being kind to ourselves and allowing the emotion rather than fighting it, we can make a big difference in handling anxiety.
The third takeaway was the beneficial role of moderate anxiety. The movie demonstrates that a certain level of anxiety can be helpful and motivating. It can serve as a motivator, help us prepare for challenges, and keep us alert to potential dangers. This is often overlooked in discussions about anxiety.
Inference-Based CBT (ICBT) is another approach I use to help manage moderate levels of anxiety. By changing our thought patterns and recognizing the positive aspects of anxiety, we can harness it as a tool for growth rather than something to be avoided.
For example, if you have an upcoming presentation, a moderate level of anxiety can push you to prepare, think of new ideas, and stay focused, helping you perform your best. It’s about finding the balance where anxiety motivates you without overwhelming you.
To recap, here are the three takeaways from the new character Anxiety in Inside Out 2:
These takeaways align perfectly with what I discuss with my clients and students. If you’re ready to dive deeper and get hands-on support, keep an eye out for my Seven Day Breakthrough Challenge.
Thank you so much for joining me today! Until next time, stay bold, stay empowered, and keep pushing through. You’ve got this.
👏 Unlock your free 40-minute video on “5 Must-Know Strategies for Handling Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts”: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/strategies
🧠 Start your transformation today with the Mental Compulsion Mini Course referenced in this episode: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/mental-compulsions
💪 Ready to conquer OCD/anxiety? Explore The OCD and Anxiety Recovery Blueprint – with or without a therapist: https://jennaoverbaughlpc.com/blueprint
DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that Jenna is not your therapist. She does not provide you with individualized recommendations or advice. The information provided is intended as educational information only. Jenna cannot tell you what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, or give recommendations based on your unique situations or circumstances. Nothing on this page or Site should be construed as therapeutic recommendation or personalized advice. If you are in need of such services, please consult with a physician or other medical provider right away to determine the best course of action for you. We are not responsible for your use of this page, this website, or the contents within. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU READ OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE AND CONTENT. For more information, please read the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimer. Your continued use of this platform, this page, and the contents within constitutes as your agreement with this agreement.
© 2024 Jenna Overbaugh, LLC, All Rights Reserved
jennaoverbaughlpc.com/terms
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