Episode description

Can Approaching Anxiety Like a Habit Lead to Novel Treatments?

In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and Alexandra Roy explore how anxiety, a growing mental health epidemic, may be approached through the lens of habit formation. This groundbreaking review delves into worry-driven habit loops, the mechanics of reinforcement learning, and how mindfulness-based training offers a promising, scalable solution. Highlighting the potential of digital therapeutics like the "Unwinding Anxiety" app, the discussion examines how awareness, curiosity, and non-reactivity can disrupt anxiety cycles, offering both mechanistic insights and practical strategies for lasting relief. Learn how a shift from traditional approaches to habit-focused interventions could redefine anxiety treatment.

Full Reference:
Brewer, J. A., & Roy, A. (2021). Can approaching anxiety like a habit lead to novel treatments? American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276211008144

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