Overthinking & Anxiety Is Ruining You—Here's How to Stop Part 2

Overthinking & Anxiety Is Ruining You—Here's How to Stop Part 2

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey when anxiety and overthinking won’t give them a break? This Brain Warrior’s Way episode zooms in on the kind of mental spirals that keep people stuck in fear, self-doubt, and sometimes reaching for numbing habits. Dr Daniel Amen and Tana Amen keep it practical and honest as they talk through how anxious brains work and what you can actually do about it day to day.

Daniel shares how he once linked one scary thought to another until his mind was “stacking and attacking” him, while Tana opens up about intense fears around losing her daughter, past assault trauma, and how those thoughts left her feeling out of control. A big theme is learning not to believe every stormy thought that passes through your head.

Daniel teaches his “ANTs” concept – automatic negative thoughts – and the idea that “step one is don’t believe every stupid thing you think”. They walk through questioning anxious thoughts using Byron Katie’s four questions and turnarounds, showing how this can crack the grip of catastrophic thinking.

You’ll also hear very concrete tools that suit people in recovery especially well: specific breathing techniques for panic attacks, writing down and challenging thoughts, guided and quiet meditation, EMDR therapy, martial arts for shifting from victim to capable, and even “rage journaling” to clear out buried anger so gratitude actually has space to grow. They round things off with brain-focused supports like supplements, anti-inflammatory food choices, and caring for gut health, all tied back to mood and anxiety.

Throughout, there’s a steady message of hope: anxiety isn’t a life sentence, and training your mind is daily work, just like going to the gym. If anxiety has been feeding your urge to escape or use, this conversation might help you ask: what if it’s the thoughts that are ruining you, not you yourself?