Do you worry?
In this episode, we dive into the topic of worry with Dr. Lillian Nejad, a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in helping people manage anxiety and stress.
We explore the definition of worry, its relationship with anxiety, and common misconceptions about it. Lillian sheds light on the purpose and function of worry, highlighting situations where it can be helpful and when it becomes unproductive.
Join us as we discuss the impact of excessive worry on daily life and relationships, and explore strategies for managing worry effectively.
Key Take Aways
- Worry is the cognitive expression of anxiety, characterised by thoughts that often start with “what if” and focus on anticipating negative outcomes
- Worry can also be centred around past behaviour and regrets, known as rumination, where individuals constantly replay events they wish had gone differently
- While anxiety is a feeling, worry is a thought process triggered by anxiety
- Worry serves a purpose by alerting us to potential problems, allowing us to take preventive measures, solve issues, or be better prepared
- Dysfunctional worry occurs when it fails to lead to problem-solving or resolution, becomes uncontrollable, and significantly impacts daily functioning.
- Excessive worry can affect concentration, sleep patterns, productivity, and overall wellbeing
- Worry can also impact relationships, as anxious energy can be sensed by others, even if not explicitly expressed
- Worry is the cognitive aspect of anxiety, involving thoughts focused on potential negative outcomes.
- Understanding the purpose of worry helps differentiate between productive and unproductive worry.
- Dysfunctional worry hinders problem-solving and resolution, and can have a significant impact on daily functioning.
- Excessive worry affects concentration, sleep, productivity, and relationships.
- Recognising what can and can’t be controlled helps shift focus to actionable steps and reduces worry.
- Developing strategies to manage and regulate worry is essential for overall wellbeing.
We have anxiety for a reason. It’s to help protect us. And so worry as an extension of that means that we have worries to alert us to potential problems so that we have that foresight to be able to prevent those problems or to solve those problems.
About your guest Dr Lillian Nejad
Dr. Lillian Nejad is a clinical psychologist with 25 years experience helping people with anxiety and stress. In addition to her private practice, she has founded ‘Skills for Life’, an online portal for mental health resources and programs that helps people build skills to manage anxiety, stress less and get some rest. Lillian has recently launched the app, Contain Your Brain, to help people worry less and worry better! She is also the author of two books about stress & anxiety and insomnia, she has recorded three collections of mindfulness and relaxation exercises and hosts the podcast, ‘Life Skills for Leaders’ about mental health in the workplace. Lillian is also an Australian Open superfan, sports photographer wannabe & a passionate supporter of the arts.
Connect with Lillian
Websites
www.containyourbrain.com For info and resources to help you with worry
www.drlilliannejad.com Skills for Life programs & resources to help you manage anxiety & stress, and get some rest
Insta
@containyourbrain
@drlilliannejad
Resources:
• Skills for Life: Dr. Lillian Nejad’s online portal for mental health resources and programs – website
• Contain Your Brain: An app designed by Dr. Lillian Nejad to help reduce worry and improve worry management.
Books by Dr. Lillian Nejad can be found here https://www.drlilliannejad.com/books
Life blockers
Treating stress and anxiety
Relaxation techniques
