The Liz Moody Podcast

The Real Reason You're Anxious—That No One Is Talking About

12 snips
Mar 18, 2026
Guest
Owen O'Kane
Owen O'Kane, psychotherapist and former NHS mental health lead who has spent decades treating anxiety and trauma, explains why anxiety clings to us. He explores how worry becomes addictive, the hidden beliefs that keep it alive, sudden adult onset, and why welcoming rather than fighting anxious parts can shift your relationship with worry.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Anxiety Usually Comes From Learned Patterns

  • Chronic anxiety rarely stems from a single cause; it's often learned within family, culture, or religion where vigilance is rewarded.
  • Owen contrasts this with secondary causes like hormones, neurodiversity, lifestyle, or withdrawal.
ADVICE

Bring Your Anxious Self Along For The Ride

  • Welcome and reassure your anxious part instead of fighting it by explaining the plan and bringing it along.
  • Owen describes telling his anxious self before a talk: I will look after you, come with me, and transform the energy into playfulness.
ADVICE

Drop The Rope And Allow The Sensation

  • Drop the rope: actively surrender to the anxiety instead of resisting so physiological arousal reduces without added struggle.
  • Owen says allowing symptoms to be heard often reduces their intensity almost immediately.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app