<p>Questions about this episode? Want to interact with Drew, Josh, and other members of the Disordered audience? Check out the Disordered Community Space!</p><p><a href="https://disordered.fm/community">⁠https://disordered.fm/community⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p>-------</p><p><br></p><p>This week we&#39;re discussing the relationship between anxiety and self-compassion. Self-compassion is often dismissed as a way to avoid difficult tasks or &quot;whine&quot; about struggles, but it is actually a functional part of the desensitization process.</p><p><br></p><p>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 &quot;re-sensitization&quot; when you turn recovery into a performance you have to perfect.</p><p><br></p><p>What We Discuss:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>The &quot;No Self-Compassion&quot; Mistake: Why driving yourself with brute force and criticism often backfires</li><li>Accepting The Current Version of You: The importance of acknowledging that you are currently afraid or avoidant without berating or rejecting yourself for it.</li><li>Self-Compassion vs. Coddling: Distinguishing between being kind to yourself while doing hard things and using &quot;kindness&quot; as an excuse to stay on the sofa.</li><li>Navigating Misunderstanding: How to handle friends or family who do not understand anxiety disorders and the importance of validating your own experience instead of waiting for them to do it.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Recovery requires the flexibility to be afraid and move forward simultaneously. Using self-compassion means letting the scared version of yourself into the experiential classroom so you can actually learn the lessons found in acceptance, tolerance, surrender, floating, and exposure!</p><p><br></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>Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners?  The Disordered app is nearing release! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.disordered.fm/">Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information.</a>.</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>