DR. WADSWORTH AND MERRICK..MANAGING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS IN RECOVERY

This unique episode combines a young man's personal story of recovery from a lifetime of negative thinking and subsequent Alcohol Use Disorder with a Clinical Psychologist whose clinical expertise lies in treatment of anxiety disorders. Merrick suffered from perfectionism and obsessive negative, self-attacking thought spirals his whole life. He was a slave to unrelenting negative thoughts. He began to drink in an attempt to quiet the critical voices in his head, but they worsened as the drinking escalated to out of control levels. Merrick describes his journey of recovery and how sobriety has given him tools to manage the negative thinking. Dr. Lauren Wadsworth, a clinical expert in Anxiety Disorders and their treatment, offers insight into negative thinking. She comments on common thinking traps like black and white thinking, fortune telling and mind reading. Dr. Wadsworth offers suggestions on the following: What are these negative thoughts and where do they come from? How do I challenge my negative thoughts? How do I create distance/take a break from the critical voices in my head? How do I manage feelings of shame/ not feeling good enough? How do I break free from a negativity spiral? Dr. Wadsworth describes her favorite CBT strategies to help people manage their negative thinking effectively. She comments on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in working with anxiety. Both she and Merrick discuss the power of Mindfulness and living in the moment. They also share their thoughts on the power of fellowship (connection) and meditation. Dr. Wadsworth offers some helpful resources and explains how to find a CBT trained expert and Merrick shares his rehab and halfway house information.