Owen O'Kane: Are You Addicted to Anxiety Without Even Realising It?

Saturn Returns with Caggie

Caggie Dunlop

Society & Culture, Mental Health, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness, Education, Personal Journals, Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality

4.8 • 892 Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2025

⏱️ 72 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this powerful episode of Saturn Returns, Caggie welcomes Owen O’Kane, renowned psychotherapist, former NHS clinical lead, and author of Addicted to Anxiety. With dual training in both medicine and psychotherapy, Owen offers a fresh, compassionate, and deeply insightful look into the nature of anxiety - and why so many of us unknowingly become addicted to it. Owen’s journey began in Belfast during the Troubles, where anxiety became a necessary survival mechanism. He later transitioned from palliative care to psychotherapy, bringing a unique blend of medical knowledge and emotional intelligence to his work. His new book challenges the way we think about anxiety, urging us not to fight it, but to understand and rewire it. Topics Covered in This Episode: 🪐 How anxiety becomes habitual—and even addictive 🪐 The link between early conditioning, family systems, and anxious thinking 🪐 The mind's ability to heal and rewire itself 🪐 Practical tools to self-soothe, ground, and manage anxious patterns 🪐 The impact of social media and misinformation on mental health 🪐 Why anxiety isn't something to get rid of—but to live with in harmony 🪐 Embracing courage, risk, and vulnerability to live more freely Whether you struggle with anxiety daily or feel stuck in negative thought loops, this episode is your reminder that you're not broken - just human. Owen’s gentle wisdom and grounded advice will leave you feeling more equipped to face your inner world with clarity, calm, and compassion. — Thank you to our sponsor, Naturalmat, for making this episode possible! Better sleep starts naturally ☁️ Naturalmat’s handcrafted, organic mattresses and bedding are good for you, your family, and the planet. Experience the comfort of sustainable sleep at naturalmat.co.uk, or visit one of their showrooms! If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to follow Saturn Returns for more episodes exploring wellness, spirituality, and personal development. Share this episode with someone who could use a little extra joy in their life, or take a moment to comment and share your thoughts. Your feedback means so much and helps us reach more listeners! Discover more from Saturn Returns: 🪐 Instagram, YouTube and TikTok 🪐 Order the Saturn Returns book: Click here 🪐 Join our community newsletter: Sign up here 🪐 Explore all things Saturn Returns: Visit our website 🪐Follow Caggie on Instagram: @caggiesworld

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before we dive into today's episode, I want to take a moment to talk about something that's
0:07.7	really, really important to me. Sleep. We all know how crucial a good night's rest is,
0:14.5	but have you ever thought about how your sleep environment affects both your health and the planet?
0:20.5	That is where Natural Mat comes in. From the very
0:23.6	beginning, they prioritise sustainability by using certified organic materials like locally sourced
0:30.3	organic wool. Their mattresses and bedding aren't just better for you. They're better for the
0:35.8	environment too. And everything is handmade with care
0:39.1	and craftsmanship in their Devon workshop. So if you want to improve your sleep while making a
0:45.0	positive impact on the planet, I highly recommend visiting natural mat.co.uk. Heading to one of
0:52.3	their showrooms, trust me, switching to a natural, sustainable
0:56.0	sleep setup makes all the difference.
1:08.2	Hello everyone and welcome to Saturn Returns with me, Kagagi Dunlop. This is a podcast that aims to bring clarity during transitional times where there can be confusion and doubt. Today's guest is someone who brings both clinical clarity and compassionate wisdom to the conversation around mental health.
1:29.7	Owen Okane.
1:31.2	A former NHS clinical lead with dual training in medicine and psychotherapy,
1:36.7	Owen has an extraordinary ability to simplify the complex and bring calm to the chaos of the modern mind.
1:44.0	Owen grew up in Belfast during the Troubles,
1:46.2	shaped by conflict, religion and repression,
1:49.3	a deeply formative environment,
1:51.0	especially as a young gay man navigating identity and belonging.
1:56.0	And these early experiences became the root of his lifelong dedication
2:00.0	to understanding human suffering and
2:02.6	more importantly how to move through it. He's the best-selling author of How to Be Your Own
	...

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