"What are you afraid of? Is it innate, or did someone introduce that fear and anxiety to you?" 
Join us on an enlightening, diving deep into anxiety disorders with Ken Loftus.

 "We've all experienced it," Ken began, "That sudden jolt of fear when you see a spider, or a puppy, or someone different from you. But where does it come from? 

 Evolutionary psychology tells us it's all about survival. Our brains have been wired over millions of years to detect threats - but how accurately?" He delved into the butterfly effect and how our early experiences might shape specific phobias. "Our irrational fears, like believing something's too hot without touching or fearing someone from a different culture, stem from our primal need to survive," he explained. 

"Our senses are our primary tools. Yet, while we rely on them to navigate our world, they also shape our worldviews, sometimes inaccurately." 

 Ken painted a vivid picture. "Imagine seeing a spider. For some, it triggers childhood memories, core beliefs, and even revives age-old evolutionary fears. But is this nature or nurture? 
Are we echoing sentiments from 2.5 million years ago?" He continued, "imagine an adult freaking out about a puppy. The immediate reaction is embarrassment. That spirals into thoughts like, 'I shouldn't feel this way,' which cascades into 'I'm worthless.' Such spirals are dangerous." With clarity, he described the mind's complex operations. "Your brain," he began, sketching a big circle on a whiteboard, "is continuously calculating. A smaller circle within represents our consciousness. When the optic nerve perceives a threat, like a dog, the brain reacts in nanoseconds." 

 Using socratic questioning, he encouraged the audience to challenge their fears. "When was the last time someone you knew was harmed by a dog? Or by a spider?" He concluded, "Our fears, no matter how irrational they seem, have a basis. Understanding that basis, whether it's evolutionary or learned, is the key to addressing it." The episode will leave you with a newfound understanding of fears and a toolkit to navigate them, emphasizing awareness, questioning, and self-compassion. 

Socratic questioning is a method used to encourage deep thinking and self-reflection. Here are some Socratic questions you can use to understand a fear or anxiety you might be facing:
1.Defining the Fear/Anxiety
•What exactly am I afraid of or anxious about?
•Can I describe the specific situations or triggers that bring on this fear or anxiety?
•When did I first notice this fear or anxiety?

2.Understanding the Basis
•Why do I feel this way?
•Are there past experiences that might have contributed to this feeling?
•What beliefs or thoughts are underpinning this fear or anxiety?

3.Testing Reality
•What evidence do I have that supports this fear or anxiety?
•Conversely, what evidence do I have that contradicts or challenges it?
•Has there ever been a time when I faced this fear or anxiety and it didn't come to fruition?

4.Understanding Impact
•How does this fear or anxiety affect my daily life, decisions, or relationships?
•What might happen if I didn't have this fear or anxiety?
•Are there benefits to holding onto this fear or anxiety? If so, what are they?

5.Assessing Coping Mechanisms
•How have I coped with this fear or anxiety in the past?
•Which coping strategies have been effective, and which haven't?
•Are there healthier ways I could manage or confront this fear or anxiety?

6.Looking at Alternative Perspectives
•How would someone else view this situation?
•What would I tell a friend who h

Support the show

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com