Welcome back. This is Savvy Psychologist. I'm Dr. Ellen Hendrickson and I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

This week, worry makes us miserable and uncomfortable, but many warriors claim it keeps them prepared and safe from harm.

And in a way, it does, but not in the way you'd think.

So is it possible to stop worrying?

And what if worry is part of who you are?

Because you know you're a worrier if you live by Mad-Eyed's

exhortation for constant vigilance,

or if you identify with the heroes of Disney's

oddly recurring theme of anxious fish,

like Flounder from the Little Mermaid,

or Marlin from Finding Nemo.

Or if you relate to Fear from Inside Out. But that one's almost too easy.

Anyway, regardless of which warrior you relate to, you are in good company. One-third of Americans will struggle with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.

That's over a hundred million people.

Now, for something so common, worry is somewhat of an enigma, because sometimes worry can seem like the good guy.

We credit it with helping us to get motivated, to stay on top of things,

and we have a plan B and C and D ready to go. Indeed for those of us

wired to worry anxiety is familiar and oddly reassuring. But more often anxiety is the bad guy. We can't turn off our brain. We lie

awake long after it's time to wind down, get stuck on our heads when we should be

in the moment, and overthink everything from our career path

to whether or not we should pay 30 cents extra for an organic onion.

Now, Worry is also exhausting.

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