What's normal anxiety -- and what's an anxiety disorder? | Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter | TED

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Published 2021-07-01
Everyone gets anxious at times, but how can you tell when it crosses the line and needs attention? Dr. Jen Gunter shares the science behind your brain's threat-detection system, what makes it malfunction and the most effective ways of treating it.

Think you know how your body works? Think again! Dr. Jen Gunter is here to shake up everything you thought you knew -- from how much water you need to drink to how often you need to poop and everything in between. This TED original series will tell you the truth about what's really going on inside you.

Want to hear more from Dr. Jen Gunter? Follow Body Stuff on Apple Podcasts: link.chtbl.com/BodyStuffYT

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All Comments (21)
  • @zara2941
    I feel like after covid and all the self isolation, our social anxiety has increased. Like I was a lot more confident two or three years ago than I am now
  • @Blahdramagaming
    This video about anxiety is giving me anxiety about my anxiety. Update-20,000 likes! That’s insane.
  • @jazzy9983
    I wish that people who don’t have anxiety would understand that anxiety is a physical feeling, like your heart and stomach compress and it literally is the worst feeling and the more you think about it the more intense it feels
  • @realest_
    I had horrible social anxiety and I had no idea it was anxiety until I realised it was taking over my life. I am no longer suffering from it, and I believe the main reason is that I faked it until I made it, and I pushed myself out of my comfort zone no matter how scary it was. I remember crying in the gym changing room because I was too scared to work out around others, but I pushed myself. I also remember forcing myself to attend my university lectures, make new friends, make phone calls (despite my sweaty palms and extensive planning before the call) etc.
  • @mutantbrain92
    My favorite part of anxiety is when there is literally no reason to be anxious but your body is tense and your heart is racing all day. Ever since I've been on anxiety medication, it's been life changing.
  • Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure out everything all at once. Breathe.You're strong. You got this . Take it day by day.
  • @samsamiii509
    Anxiety disorder is the hardest and saddest mental illness to deal with. Almost always I’m anxious
  • @kitfrias3469
    "Severe anxiety is NOT a moral or personal failing - it's a health problem" Thank you as always Dr Jen 💕
  • I got teary eyed watching this... I ticked all the boxes when she mentioned the symptoms and I feel like my pain is being validated -that it is real and I'm not alone. I hope we all get better
  • Psychedelic's definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source here.
  • When my anxiety kicks in, I always feel a pain in my stomach. That feeling when you did a plank or a sit up, the feeling is close to that. I hate anxiety and its physiological effects
  • @serenitybeauty
    I’ve had anxiety eversince I can remember. I always thought it was shyness because I’m Asian and I usually get shy around people, until it wasn’t. I’ve went through a lot of traumatic events and abuse. Since mental health is taboo in the Philippines, it was never addressed. Until I got here in the US, I was blessed to have a very loving and supportive husband who stood by me through my darkest days. Last year my depression and anxiety got so bad that I was suicidal almost everyday. I started taking medication, it helped but it wasn’t the best for me. Then early this year I started therapy and my life changed tremendously, I started to feel normal again, happy again, I can feel sunshine again. I also started walking every morning, like really early where it’s still dark and so peaceful that it helps me with calming my brain and emotions. I would never want anyone to experience anxiety or depression, it’s like being alive but feeling dead inside… My advice to anyone suffering is you can get help, you don’t have to suffer alone. Therapy is amazing and getting sun every single morning works wonders🥰♥️
  • I'm a veteran, was actually addicted to alcohol and cigarettes. I suffered severe anxiety and mental disorder. Got diagnosed with cptsd. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.
  • "Anxiety is anxiety about anxiety. That feeling is anxiety. Just a feeling." These words were spoken to me during a panic attack and it's forever since changed anxieties affect on me.
  • @fishelegs
    Finally, someone who isn’t telling me to just get over all the anxiety I get daily and isn’t telling me i shouldn’t even have anxiety meds bc it’s not a problem
  • I just want to encourage people. I was diagnosed with a combination of anxiety and depression many years ago. I went on medication, we tinkered with the dosage and combination, I did talk therapy, then I got introduced into shrooms it worked on myself, and while I would say everything perfect, I have a good life, one which I'm grateful for.
  • One thing I love about these types of videos regarding feelings of mental health is that the comments section is a community of people who all feel the same feeling and who go around supporting and resonating with others in the comments. No anger, no politics, no arguments, no assumptions -- just people being a community. That's a beautiful thing that we don't have enough of in this world. Take care of each other, we are all we've got ♥️
  • Mental health is really important. We need to take care of it...it's the power house of the body.
  • @user-yx2vi9ud4k
    I have diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder. I’ve been extremely anxious almost as a constant since I was about nine or ten; diagnosed at twelve. I cannot tell you how validated this video makes me feel. Many people don’t make any effort to realize how draining anxiety can be in your day to day life. Even after getting on medication, it can still get overwhelming some days. Thank you for making this video.