Stoicism, Anxiety, and and Marcus Aurelius ... Gone Wrong? | EP 333

Send in a question or comment via text. If you're struggling with panic disorder, health anxiety, OCD, GAD, or other anxiety issues you've may have encountered online content that references Stoicism, warrior philosophy, and Marcus Aurelius. The message: master your emotions, be tough, control your fear through discipline and suffering. But that's not what Marcus Aurelius was actually writing about. In this episode, I dig into what Marcus actually wrote in his Meditations—his personal diary that accidentally survived 2,500 years. When you read his actual words, you see a man repeatedly struggling with the same issues: getting out of bed, dealing with difficult people, managing anger. The repetition isn't proof of mastery. It's evidence of practice. For people with anxiety disorders, the modern misinterpretation of Stoicism can be harmful. Panic disorder, OCD, health anxiety, and GAD are all fueled by attempts to control internal experiences. The therapeutic approaches that work—acceptance and commitment therapy, exposure therapy, mindfulness—work because they teach psychological flexibility, not control. Real courage isn't "I don't feel fear." Real courage is "I feel afraid AND I'm doing this anyway." Topics covered: - What Marcus Aurelius actually wrote (specific passages from Meditations) - Why the "warrior approach" doesn't work for anxiety disorders - The masculine shame trap that keeps men stuck - What Stoicism really teaches about control - Why flexibility beats toughness in anxiety recovery Resources mentioned: The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Modern Library translation) --- The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is here --- For full show notes on this episode: https://theanxioustruth.com/333 Support The Anxious Truth: If you find the podcast helpful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee. Other ways to support my work like buying a book or signing up for a low cost workshop can be found on my website . None of this is never required, but always appreciated! Interested in doing therapy with me? For more information on working with me directly to overcome your anxiety, follow this link . Disclaimer : The Anxious Truth is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Listening to The Anxious Truth does not create a therapeutic relationship between you and the host or guests of the podcast. Information here is provided for psychoeducational purposes. As always, when you have questions about your own well-being, please consult your mental health and/or medical care providers. If you are having a mental health crisis, always reach out immediately for in-person help.