Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the U.S.. With estimates of around 40 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with anxiety disorders yearly, it’s quickly becoming a national crisis.Lori Gottlieb, psychotherapist, New York Times bestselling author, columnist, and author of the new book Maybe You Should Talk To Someone joined me on the mbgpodcast to discuss anxiety as well as the biggest misconceptions about therapy and what it’s like to be both a therapist—and a patient. There are so many things that cause people anxiety including relationship troubles, financial burdens, and uncertainty. But Gottlieb believes one of the most significant culprits of anxiety is loneliness. “It’s so rare that people will sit in the same room together and have a conversation unmediated by screens, pings, or beeps, and just listen to each other and hear each other,” she says. If you’re thinking that sounds a lot like your social interactions; she says you’re not alone in that feeling.Gottlieb’s been both the therapist and the patient. In this eye-opening conversation, she reminds us that someone else is probably facing similar challenges and sharing our concerns with someone we trust may be life-changing.To contact Colleen or Jason with comments, questions, or speaker ideas, please email podcast@mindbodygreen.com. For all sponsorship inquiries, please email sales@mindbodygreen.com. Want to join our podcast email newsletter? Sign up here!This episode is supported by Nature’s Way, a leader for 50 years in herbal remedies. Visit naturesway.com to learn more and don’t miss our Ask Me Anything about supplements during the episode.