About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of self-compassion in the context of anxiety recovery and how it can aid in the desensitization process.

Questions about this episode? Want to interact with Drew, Josh, and other members of the Disordered audience? Check out the Disordered Community Space! ⁠https://disordered.fm/community⁠ ------- This week we're discussing the relationship between anxiety and self-compassion. Self-compassion is often dismissed as a way to avoid difficult tasks or "whine" about struggles, but it is actually a functional part of the desensitization process. Drew shares how he originally viewed self-compassion as a weakness that would lead to more avoidance, only to realize that berating himself was not actually an effective motivator. Josh explains how a lack of self-compassion can lead to "re-sensitization" when you turn recovery into a performance you have to perfect. What We Discuss: The "No Self-Compassion" Mistake: Why driving yourself with brute force and criticism often backfires Accepting The Current Version of You: The importance of acknowledging that you are currently afraid or avoidant without berating or rejecting yourself for it. Self-Compassion vs. Coddling: Distinguishing between being kind to yourself while doing hard things and using "kindness&quot…

People in this episode

Hosts: Drew, Josh

Topics covered

• self-compassion
• anxiety recovery
• mental health
• desensitization
• performance in recovery
• validation of experience

Keywords

• anxiety
• self-compassion
• mental health
• recovery
• desensitization
• avoidance
• validation

More episodes of Disordered: Anxiety Help

• Let Me Tell You How I Feel (Episode 153) · April 24, 2026 · 40 min
• Anxiety in the Supermarket or Grocery Store (Episode 152) · April 17, 2026 · 38 min
• Anxiety Disorders and Sneaky Compulsions (Episode 151) · April 10, 2026 · 48 min
• Same Time Next Week - Anxiety Recovery in the "Gaps" (Episode 150) · April 3, 2026 · 44 min
• Failing and Bailing on Anxiety Exposures? (Episode 149) · March 27, 2026 · 36 min
• Rolling Anxiety and Panic (Episode 148) · March 13, 2026 · 36 min

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