Is it Anxiety, Bipolar, or Both? (And How to Tell the Difference)

Is it Anxiety, Bipolar, or Both? (And How to Tell the Difference)

From Inside Bipolar by Gabe Howard & Dr. Nicole Washington

May 18, 2026 · 48 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the distinction between anxiety and bipolar disorder, exploring their overlap and providing coping strategies.

It is a common misconception that anxiety is just part of the package when you live with bipolar disorder. While anxiety can certainly be a symptom of a mood episode, for many people, it is its own distinct, comorbid diagnosis. In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar and anxiety) and Dr. Nicole Washington get real about the overlap between bipolar disorder and anxiety. Dr. Nicole explains the clinical difference between being a "worrier" and having a pathology, while Gabe shares personal stories of suffering from – and overcoming – anxiety. Listeners Will Learn: How to tell if your anxiety is a symptom of mania/depression or its own disorder. Why anxiety ruminations feel like an endless scroll of negative thoughts. Dr. Nicole’s genius (and socially acceptable) tactic for escaping an anxiety-inducing situation. How to avoid the suffering Olympics when it comes to bipolar and anxiety Whether you’re dealing with anxiety related to emails from your boss or you’re afraid to leave the house, we’re sharing practical, real-world strategies to help you pull back instead of pushing through. Listen Now! "My best anxiety coping skill, unfortunately, still involves me having that…

People in this episode

Host: Gabe Howard

Guest: Dr. Nicole Washington

Topics covered

  • bipolar disorder
  • anxiety
  • mental health
  • comorbidity
  • coping strategies

Keywords

  • anxiety
  • bipolar disorder
  • mental health
  • coping skills
  • comorbidity

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