Navigating the ‘Fear of Fear’ Cycle of Panic Attacks with Bipolar
About this episode
This episode explores the relationship between panic attacks, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, offering insights and strategies for recovery.
What if the anxiety you're facing isn’t bipolar disorder alone — but the fear of what might happen next? With humor, honesty, and practical insight, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, shares devastatingly real stories — including the panic attack that caused him to quit a job from the parking lot. Along the way, Dr. Nicole explains the critical differences between anxiety, panic attacks, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder, while unpacking why these disorders so commonly occur alongside bipolar disorder. You’ll learn why anxiety can quietly fuel isolation, how avoidance behaviors grow, what treatment actually looks like, and why therapy, coping skills, and medication each play different roles in recovery. Most importantly, this episode asks a powerful question: Can panic attacks and anxiety ever truly go away — or is the goal learning how to fight back? Listeners will learn: why using the correct terminology to describe panic and anxiety is essential for effective treatment why medication is often a temporary fix and not a long-term solution how to understand the “fear of fear” cycle — and begin breaking free from it Whether you’re having trouble leaving the house or…
People in this episode
Host: Gabe Howard
Guest: Dr. Nicole Washington
Topics covered
- panic attacks
- bipolar disorder
- anxiety
- mental health
- treatment
- coping skills
Keywords
- panic attacks
- bipolar disorder
- anxiety
- fear of fear
- treatment
- therapy
- coping skills
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Inside Bipolar
More episodes of Inside Bipolar
- Is it Anxiety, Bipolar, or Both? (And How to Tell the Difference)
- Can I Stop My Bipolar Meds? Cold Turkey vs Tapering
- BONUS: Headlines of Horror: Schizophrenia Portrayals in News Media
- Solo Parenting with Bipolar: Staying Stable as a Single Parent
- Getting to Work with Bipolar: Excel at the Job and Live Better
- Physical Health and Bipolar: How to Live Better and Longer
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