There’s a 90% chance that each of us is dealing with anxiety, depression, or relationship problems. (Does that surprise you?)
I, personally, have had anxiety issues since I was nine (fourth grade can be stressful!), and I wouldn’t have believed you if you had told me that those very real feelings were OPTIONAL.
As a reminder before I go too much further, LearnDoBecome is about strengthening families. We talk about a variety of topics that help us architect lives of excellence, and we’re not going to post about anxiety, depression, and relationship problems every week. But this is one facet of our lives that can have a HUGE impact on everything else we do, so it’s definitely worth our time and energy.
Today I am presenting you with a simple, direct post that I consider to be an open door.
And if you walk through this open door, my promise is that you will receive some of the best advice on the planet to help you with anxiety, depression, and any challenges you’re having with the people in your life.
I’ll start with a little bit more of my story:
I realized early on that solving the problems in my head dramatically improved the quality of my life. So I read great books like these:
The one on the right was my mom’s favorite. She’d always say things like, “You just do the best you can, and if other people don’t like it, that’s their SDB” (Self-Defeating Behavior).
Those books were awesome. Loved them.
But they didn’t totally solve my problem. I still didn’t know what to do when I woke up feeling desperate or panicked. I thought I just “couldn’t handle” my life. I would ask Eric in quiet moments if he thought something was wrong with me.
Based on the recommendation of my dear friend Candi a couple of months ago, I started reading Dr. David Burns’ books, and I can’t say enough about his work.
These three books have already revolutionized my life:
But it’s not just me who’s seen a difference. For example, more than FIVE MILLION people have read Feeling Good, and they’ve found that about two thirds of the people who read it recover from depression. (That’s a scary-good statistic.)
I’m a work in progress…not “totally there” yet, but the momentum I feel and the hope this has created in me is incredible.
THAT is why I am sharing this today.
Best Way to Get Started?
(1) Listen to the podcast featured on this page.
You’ll get a feel for who Dr. Burns is and why his work is so powerful in helping your relationships.
We’ll dive deep into what stops us from having great relationships, and we’ll discuss empowering ways to make changes…even if the OTHER person seems to be the problem. (Light bulb moments!)
As a note of courtesy, this is not easy or comfortable. But it’s totally worth it.
(2) Listen to this second podcast I recorded for Power of Moms, specifically about anxiety.
Simply click here for the audio. This podcast goes through the step-by-step process that I now use every morning to eliminate anxious feelings. (GREAT process to teach your kids, too!)
(3) Order Dr. Burns’ Books. They are must-haves for every home library.
(4) Leave a comment and let us know what you think…and if you have any further questions.
Do you want to see a sample of my daily mood log? Or is there a specific situation you’re not sure how to handle?
At the end of this podcast, Dr. Burns said that he is more than happy to come back for a future episode.
Do you know what that means?
Essentially it’s this: One of the foremost experts in psychiatry in the WHOLE WORLD–wants to help US…the LearnDoBecome community. This thrills me.
How This Fits With Our Productivity Training
Many of you here in the LearnDoBecome community found us through our work teaching family-centered productivity, and so you might be wondering how this all fits together.
Here’s my take…
If we really want to eliminate the physical and mental clutter from our lives, there are at least two sides of the coin.
Creating a seamless system for papers, projects, emails, ideas, and tasks is life-changing.
But add to that the ability to eliminate feelings of anxiety and depression–and then add to THAT the ability to make our relationships awesome.
It’s pure bliss that I didn’t even know was possible.
Thank you so much!!
David Burns, MD is Adjunct Clinical Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine. He has served as Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School and Chief of Psychiatry at Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia. His best-selling books, Feeling Good, and the Feeling Good Handbook, have sold over five million copies worldwide, and are the books most frequently recommended by therapists for individuals suffering from depression. He offers many resources for therapists and for the general public on his website, feelinggood.com.
What a timely email! I have become aware slowly that I wake up each morning feeling anxious. And I have resolved to change that! I know it harms me in so many ways. I love it that your email on this exact topic landed in my inbox today. I’ve got a busy day, but I’m going to treat myself by listening to this podcast on my lunch break later today.
Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement. I still “wake up” anxious sometimes, but now I know how to get out of it. I hope you get a chance to read his books–especially “When Panic Attacks.” Seriously amazing. Thanks again for being with us!
Good for you to put this info out there for people and kudos for your courage of being so transpartant.
Thank you, Gail. To be honest, this totally terrifies me to talk about all my weaknesses, but having a great community here means more than I can explain. So glad you’re with us!
You’re not alone. It’s nice to get ideas for our family.
I loved your podcast with Dr. Burns. I have two college age daughters who suffer anxiety and relationship problems. I would love to find them COACHES.
My daughters tend to be competitive with one another. They don’t feel like they measure up. The oldest tends to be an overachiever. They younger one feels like her older sister always “one ups’ her. So sad. I hope that they can find their own identity soon.
Competition among siblings would be a GREAT topic to cover in a future podcast. Thanks for sharing this, Marcia! So grateful you’re with us at LearnDoBecome!
Wow, this was perfect timing for me! After a discussion with one of my children last night I realized how much my anxiety was negatively impacting them. I’m hopeful that these books will be able to help me deal better with anxiety/depression issues. Thank you for the resources.
Kim, being self-aware is SUCH a great first step. I can totally relate. Excited for you to check out these books. Seriously life-changing. Wishing you the best!
So, so good! I was able to listen over lunch and I can’t wait to listen to it again this evening. I haven’t heard of Dr. Burns before but what he says makes perfect sense. I plan on ordering his books this month. Thanks so much!
Yay!!! So excited for you, Deb! Please let me know ANY questions you have that you’d like Dr. Burns to cover in a future episode. I really want to bring him back! Enjoy the books!
I haven’t listened to the podcast yet, but I’m planning to. I just wanted to say that I LOVE that you are covering this important topic. I feel like it’s my key downfall and the downfall for so many– because really everything starts with how we think! I’m excited about learning more.
Sarah, I am so happy to hear that. I didn’t know there was a solution…which felt discouraging. But I think you will love this. xoxo
Such good info! Can’t wait to get the book and get started. It’s nice to have some good tools/ideas to help with anxiety and depression.
So happy this will be helpful for you, Chrissy!
I am currently listening to this podcast and before it is even over, I want to thank you for it. My 16 year old son tried to commit suicide on New Years day this year, he was diagnosed with Depression…I never would have known! I did not realize anxiety and depression went hand in hand. ( He was diagnosed OCD with anxiety disorder in 2nd grade.) He has been doing so well, but again mentioned suicide this past week. His counselor has recommended a Psychiatrist, and as a mom, I felt like a failure because I can’t help him myself, that’s my job, right? I am so thankful that there is someone that can help him. I will definitely be getting this book for both my son and I to read. Thank you for being an answer to prayer.
I really enjoyed this this podcast! The email from learndobecome referencing this podcast has been sitting in my inbox for three days now and I decided to listen to it tonight after a very stressful week. After hearing about Dr. Burns talk about anxiety and depression, I’m convinced I need to get Feeling Good asap. Because there are sooo many self help books out there and there is no way to read them all, I don’t think I would have come across this on my own research. I’m very glad to have gotten the recommendations (research done!)Thank you for recording. I would definitely listen to future podcasts with Dr. Burns!
This is amazing that you’ve posted this now. This past week, we’ve discovered that my husband is struggling with clinical bipolar disorder and I have been quickly realizing how to recognize which mood he’s in and have had more sense/empathy when I talk to him about his struggles. I’ve been so mad this week, but I’ve been able to step back realize “that’s the anxiety talking”. I’m very excited for these books, and I hope my husband will be willing to read them with me. Thank you so much for your inspired work!
Jessika, I can’t tell you how PROUD I am of you! You are making serious strides in SO many areas of your life, and I feel privileged to be able to watch what you’re doing! We have a close relative and dear friends with bipolar disorder, and I wish I could just come give you a huge hug! Let me know what you think of the books, and if you have any questions for Dr. Burns in a future podcast, send those in! He’s happy to help! You are doing great. I know it’s hard. Keep it up!! xoxoxo
These podcasts were awesome! I think the books can help me 🙂
How nice of him to share his time and talents with us!
Hi. New to the website, but I love the way you have it organized. I suffer from a chronic anxiety disorder, so simple and ‘real’ is better for me! I’ve learned so much about organizing, ironically, because of my disorder, so I appreciate what you and your husband do. It definitely all ties together. Dr. Burns’ Feeling Good book is my all time favorite because when my brain is overstimulated, his writing is simple and clear. I was so excited to actually hear him talk! He is a favorite author of mine. I’ve always wanted to hear him speak because of how much I enjoy his book. Looking forward to reading more of his books now. Another podcast would be wonderful.
Lisa, I am SO happy to hear that you’ve read Dr. Burns’ books, as well. Seriously, he’s changed my life. We are thrilled to have you with us, and we look forward to serving you!
I have known that I have a lot more to do with change than others around me. It is always good to hear it again.
I would like to hear more about how to push through fear to accomplish goals. I am realizing I do this way too much.
I found you through the work peak summit and was excited to hear David Burns. I have several copies of Feeling Good, one being an updated version. I would love to hear him speak on procrastinating and I have this bad habit of not being busy when I should. Oops,sounds like procrastination. Anyway, I feel overwhelmed by what needs to be done and then don’t do anything. I will read over that subject in the book,however, I would still love to hear him speak about anything. Thank-you
Thanks so much, Laura! I was actually thinking an interview on procrastination would be SUPER interesting to me, as well! So glad you found us here at LearnDoBecome!
What important information to hear. This podcast with Dr. Burns was great! I most especially liked what he said about being able to diagnose a relationship so quickly with the one example of what X had said and what you say in response.
This podcast is so helpful! I can’t wait to buy Dr. Burns books and other recommendations you provide. Has this worked for you? Wish I knew about this last year. Thank you!
Oh my goodness–it TOTALLY works for me. I have 3 of his books and talk about them all the time. 🙂 Enjoy!!!
Would love to hear a podcast on Procrastination!
Thanks for addressing this important subject & offering new resources. I will definitely check into them. One thing I would’ve like to hear, at least briefly, about is the role of medication in anxiety & depression. It’s such a tough decision to know when medication is a good option & necessary.
Thank you, Nikki. We will pass this suggestion along to our team. You can learn more from Dr Burns through some of his books. Those can be found anywhere books are sold. We have some of them listed on our Amazon Favorites list, https://www.amazon.com/shop/learndobecome. Thanks for being with us!
Great question! Dr. Burns has a podcast called “Feeling Good,” and I have heard him say in some episodes that his cognitive therapy works alongside medications, in some cases, but the goal is to help each patient to become as drug-free as possible. “Feeling Good” (the Book) has some excellent chapters about medication toward the end of the book. REALLY helpful information so you can bring up good questions to your medical professionals. Wishing you the best!!
I have not listened yet to the podcast but will. I am not the one with anxiety/severe depression, it is my husband. With a change in meds in Jan. things were better for the panic but now with new med he sleeps most of day and is apathetic and non_communicative. I doubt he would read- he only reads brief newscasts on computer. Before I buy, is there help in these books for the spouse of a depressed person?? I am desperate.
Julianne, our hearts go out to you! Is it possible to reach out to his doctor once again? Of course it takes time to adjust to a new medication but it sounds like this new one might not be working properly. The books we’ve shared may be helpful to you as they will likely help you to understand what is happening in your husband’s mind as well as give you coping skills to help yourself as you work to help your husband. We wish you all the best in your journey to battle the depression that is in your home. Sending love and prayers!!
Just wanted to send a huge hug, Julianne! You are in a hard spot, for sure. It is really difficult when a spouse doesn’t have the desire/ability to make the needed changes. I have two recommendations that may be helpful. (1) Read Feeling Good yourself—the audio version was easier for me to complete, but I got the paperback, too. It’s long, but sooooo good. Once you learn what is in the book, I think it can help you a lot—but also give you specific chapters or ideas you could share with your husband.
(2) Another awesome resource is Henry Cloud’s Boundaries.Me. I am in his $9 a month membership, and he has great video courses to help you learn how to put boundaries in place so you can support your spouse, but still care for your own needs. Your family is in my prayers!!!
Where is the podcast? All I see is a sales pitch.
Hi Pat! So sorry for the confusion. We definitely don’t want this to feel like a sales pitch. If you look at the very top of the post, there is a podcast player button below the photos of me and Dr. Burns. Just hit the play button, and it should only take a moment to load. You can also listen from any podcast app—just search LearnDoBecome Radio. Please let us know if there are any issues with the player on this page, okay? Enjoy the podcast!
Great podcast! Thank you so much for sharing values topics.
I tried to listen to the other podcast about anxiety on Power of Moms but it doesn’t play.
How can I listen to it?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Tatiana! The other podcast is playing for me now (we had a tech glitch, but it’s back up!). Could you please try the player on this link? https://powerofmoms.com/panic-attacks-dr-david-burns/
Hi, April!
It worked! I just finished the amazing podcast! I want to buy all the books and I feel empowered now.
Thank you so much!
All the best