Are You Letting Worry Control Your Life? Here's How to Break Free from Anxiety | Ep. 058

MindHack Podcast

In this episode of the MindHack Podcast, we take a deep dive into the mechanics of anxiety with Dr. David Carbonell, an expert psychologist and the author of The Worry Trick. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by worry, as if your anxious thoughts were controlling your life? Dr. Carbonell explains how anxiety cleverly manipulates your mind into expecting the worst, trapping you in a cycle of fear and avoidance. Through our discussion, he reveals the psychological tricks that keep you stuck and shares proven strategies to help you break free. With a focus on practical advice, Dr. Carbonell introduces powerful tools like exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques that can help you confront and outsmart your worries, allowing you to regain control over your thoughts and your life.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic anxiety or occasional bouts of worry, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable steps to help you overcome these challenges. Dr. Carbonell’s approach is both compassionate and effective, making complex psychological concepts easy to understand and apply. By the end of this episode, you’ll not only understand why you worry but also have a clear plan for how to tackle it. Tune in to learn how you can stop letting anxiety dictate your life and start living with more peace, confidence, and clarity.
About this Guest

Dr. David Carbonell is a distinguished clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience, specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Renowned for his compassionate and practical approach, Dr. Carbonell combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help individuals overcome chronic worry and regain control of their lives. As the author of the highly regarded book The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It, he has provided invaluable insights and strategies to countless readers, empowering them to manage their anxiety more effectively. In addition to his writing, Dr. Carbonell has dedicated his career to clinical work, guiding many through their personal struggles with anxiety, and offering workshops and online resources to reach a broader audience. His ability to demystify complex psychological concepts and his commitment to improving mental health have made him a trusted authority in the field of anxiety treatment.
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The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It by Dr. David Carbonell
Other books here
People & Other Mentions
Oprah Winfrey
Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Stoicism
David Barlow
Agoraphobia
The Sopranos
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. About David (00:00:30)

3. Dr. Carbonell's Journey into Anxiety Disorders (00:01:40)

4. Understanding Anxiety and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (00:03:38)

5. Exposure Therapy Explained (00:04:51)

6. White Bear, Pink Elephant (00:08:43)

7. Fear of Flying: A Case Study (00:11:22)

8. The Worry Trick and Chronic Anxiety (00:20:07)

9. The Rule of Opposites for Anxiety (00:32:01)

10. The Myth of Picturing the Audience Naked (00:37:33)

11. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Phobias (00:38:07)

12. Effective Anxiety Mitigation Techniques (00:39:51)

13. Personal Stories of Overcoming Anxiety (00:47:41)

14. The Rise of Anxiety Awareness (00:53:15)

15. The Future of Anxiety Treatment (00:55:55)

16. Resources, where to look and Final Thoughts (00:58:28)