anxiety

We talk with a psychologist and author about how to approach conversations about frightening world events and help children process distressing news they inevitably hear about. With anxiety on the rise in kids, we hear strategies for young people and the adults who take care of them.

Air date: October 1, 2019

On today's show:

• Why We Write about Ourselves is edited by Meredith Maran and features writers like Edwidge Danticat, Anne Lamott, Cheryl Strayed, and Nick Flynn who've dared to take the plunge with a literary memoir.
• Kat Kinsman is senior food and drinks editor for Extra Crispy, a commentator and public speaker on the topics of food and mental health, and author of Hi, Anxiety: Life With a Bad Case of Nerves.
• "The Secret Power of Jury Nullification" from Life of the Law. You can listen to this story again at PRX.org. 

Feeling anxious or worried is part of being human, but for those suffering from an anxiety disorder, even tackling mundane tasks can be debilitating...and isolating. Today, a look at the condition affecting an estimated 25 million Americans, generalized anxiety disorder, and how to manage it.

Plus, mapping DAPL - as clashes between law enforcement and protestors erupt near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, a new map offers new perspective on a long-running dispute.

This week, The Exchange will play the five best shows of 2014, as voted by you. Here's a July program on stress: From major challenges like chronic illness or financial problems to minor annoyances like traffic jams or inconsiderate neighbors, stress affects us all.  For some, it can be overwhelming, while others find ways to cope and even use it to their advantage. In connection with the NPR series on this topic, we’re exploring the latest thinking on stress.

This program was originally broadcast on July 17, 2014.

GUESTS:

Childhood has always had its fears - from monsters under the bed, to sleep-away camp, to schoolyard bullies. But normal jitters, about these and other childhood challenges, become an issue when they interfere with regular activities, from riding the bus to going to bed at night. And this kind of debilitating anxiety seems to be on the rise: now affecting close to 1 in 5  kids.

Childhood has always had its fears - from monsters under the bed, to sleep-away camp, to schoolyard bullies. But normal jitters, about these and other childhood challenges, become an issue when they interfere with regular activities, from riding the bus to going to bed at night. And this kind of debilitating anxiety seems to be on the rise: now affecting close to 1 in 5  kids.

Can't help singing along to your favorite sad songs in the shower, the car, or from the middle of a crowded street?  Looking for something to help you dwell on your latest breakup, or summon your personal demons?  Want to put something on the stereo that will dull your roomate's perversely happy attitude?  Word of Mouth has the playlist for you.