<p>In this episode, Josh and Drew discuss a common hurdle in anxiety recovery: the desire to &quot;win&quot; against your anxiety. For many, especially those with perfectionist tendencies, anxiety is viewed as an adversary that has taken something away. This leads to a constant, habitual checking to see if the anxiety is gone, which inadvertently keeps you stuck in a cycle of monitoring and frustration.</p><p>---</p><p>Want to talk about this episode with us and interact with others that are sharing your experience?</p><p><a href="https://disordered.fm/community" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://disordered.fm/community</a></p><p>---</p><p>We look at why defining recovery as a &quot;win&quot; can be counterproductive.</p><ul><li><p><strong>The Lack of Closure:</strong> Unlike a sports match, there is no final bell or celebration when you recover. Recovery often just peters out until you realize you haven&#39;t thought about how you feel in weeks.</p></li><li><p><strong>Examination Compulsions:</strong> When you are hell-bent on winning, you might find yourself checking how you feel 50 times a day. Because anxiety involves a doubt response, even a &quot;good&quot; check is often met with more doubt, leading to increased frustration.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Perfectionist Hurdle:</strong> Perfectionists often want to get recovery &quot;exactly right,&quot; looking for a certificate or absolute proof that the battle is over.</p></li></ul><p>We explore the idea that true progress isn&#39;t measured by the absence of symptoms, but by your willingness to experience them.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Surrender vs. Resistance:</strong> While &quot;winning&quot; implies a fight, recovery is found in surrender—not to the anxiety, but to the reality of the moment.</p></li><li><p><strong>Functional Impact:</strong> We discuss measuring success by how much you are living your life, regardless of how you feel. If an adrenaline spike used to stop you for a week and now it only stops you for an hour, that is progress.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Paradox of Recovery:</strong> You know you are winning when you stop asking if you are winning.</p></li></ul><p>We share inspiring stories from our community members who practiced these principles.</p><ul><li><p><strong>The 5K Race:</strong> A listener shares how she completed a 5K and set a personal best despite dealing with stomach cramps and the urge to stop.</p></li><li><p><strong>The London Trip:</strong> A community member discusses traveling to London and using the tube while experiencing high anxiety and physical sensations, choosing to lean into the discomfort to attend an important event.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Wedding Day:</strong> A past caller shares her experience of getting married while navigating Relationship OCD (ROCD), proving that you can have a beautiful, meaningful day even when your internal experience is difficult.</p></li></ul><p>Ultimately, the win isn&#39;t when the anxiety leaves; the win is when it doesn&#39;t matter that it&#39;s there.</p><p>---</p><p>The <a href="https://disordered.fm/bluebook">Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety</a> is now available. If you&#39;re struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.</p><p>---</p><p>Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can&#39;t stop or control? <a href="https://learn.theanxioustruth.com/worry-and-rumination-explained">Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.</p><p>-----</p><p>Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? <a href="https://disordered.fm/">Send us an email or leave a voicemail on our website.</a></p>