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OCD isn't Obvious · Pete Vs Anxiety!!!!!

• peter: but Pete: went to doing like pre-recordings. Well, Keith, we're at the part of the interview where I'm gonna ask you those two questions. All right, Amanda Landes: that I had been kind of like since head for a while about about writing the story because Mia Mason: you are not the only one that experiences thoughts, Pete "mental Health Champ": Well, Dr. Erica, before we start wrapping up, I'm going to ask you Peter: Welcome into another exciting episode of Pete for Exotic. Before we get started today, guys, let's give a shout out to my good partners over at PsychPal. there's a link in the description of this episode. You guys can click it, get a seven-day free trial. And if you like it, 20% off because I'm such a nice guy. Enter Pete at checkout to get that. With that being said, my guest today is an artist, actress, author, and mental health advocate who uses storytelling illustration to create compassion and connection around anxiety and OCD. Through her creative work, she blends emotional honesty and advocacy to help others feel understood and supported. Please welcome in the author and illustrator of the book, Worries Whispers, the one the only, Mia Mason. Mia, welcome in. How are you doing? Mia Mason: I'm good. Thank you so much for having me. Peter: Well, it's a pleasure having you here. so Mia, why don't you tell everybody a little more about yourself? Give them a little more feel for you know, because that's a lot of titles there in that beginning there, man. You're doing a lot of things. Mia Mason: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, totally. yeah, I'm Mia. just kinda what you said, I'm the author and illustrator, worries, whispers. really when it comes down to it, I'm I'm an artist. Like that's really like what I love to do and like a very fundamental part of like who I am. and yeah, I think all of those kind of titles kinda always come back to to art and helping people which is and advocating, which is like my my two biggest passions in life. So Peter: So so what brought on the passion to be an advocate? I mean, I know you deal with OCD and anxiety, which O C D is an interesting one because we haven't had a lot of people on the show. I think we've only had one other person on and he he's a psychologist himself. and he deals with other people that help with C D. So, you know, plea like what what started it? Was it just the fact that what you were dealing with and you just like had that feeling you don't want people to feel lonely? Mia Mason: Yeah, no, totally. So what's interesting so I've had O C D my whole life. I Peter: Mm-hmm. Mia Mason: just didn't know that I had O C D. So I was actually only diagnosed with O C D about three years ago or so. but it's something that I've experienced far before that. Peter: So so Mia, let me ask you this though really quick. What is it like? You know, give people a perspective what OCD is like for you because everybody experiences these things differently. Like anxiety will be different for you too. And you could you could also follow with that one too. But I I I think OCD is a really interesting one of the two because a lot of people don't really meet many people out of or don't realize people have it. Mia Mason: Yeah, no, totally. So that's what I was gonna say too, is like I I myself didn't even know like what I was experiencing had a name and that like so many other people experienced this and it's not a super uncommon thing for people to go undiagnosed for most of their life. but basically let me I'm just gonna kind of tell you like kind of what OCD is. Peter: Mm-hmm. Mia Mason: so basically OCD is like a psychiatric condition that causes worries and upsetting thoughts that create a lot of like uncertainty and doubt for the person. And then the person kind of does something and attempts to make that uncertainty and doubt go away. So Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: that's like the more kind of like academic answer. How I like to kind of explain it is it kind of feels like you're going about your day and then somebody kind of throws this device at you that has a countdown clock on it that's like five seconds until the end of the world, and you are solely responsible for figuring out how to stop that clock or like something catastrophic is going to happen. Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: so it's like very urgent, very real, even if it's not always. like even if you are kind of aware that it sounds illogical. So like for me, and OCD is like also it's we can get into that, but like it's it's very it it has a lot of subtypes. Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: So for me, how I really experience it is something called morality O C D. So I'm very concerned with the idea of being like a good person. So Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: I don't wanna like cause harm to anybody. I don't want to do anything that would hurt someone's feelings or anything like that. so what's interesting about that is like OCD tends to attach and like attack your values. So for me, like something I very much value is being kind and and like trying to help others. So it's like it's kind of telling me like you're not doing that and like you have done something really very wrong. but yeah, I that's kind of like so so I I'll get very nervous about like for example like doing this podcast would be a very big one. I I also don't or I I do now I'm good. I don't love being recorded and Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: speaking because it's very much like you could go back and point to like, you said something wrong. So I'm very proud of myself for being here and doing these podcasts and everything. So that's kind of like a a cool thing. So thank you. Peter: Listen, you're doing great. Don't worry. You're doing just fine. Mia Mason: thank you. So, anyways, I can kind of get like in my head about stuff. like, I said something wrong and it it hurt this person's like feelings. or like so what does that mean about me? Like, why did I do that? Why did I say that? And then you get kind of stuck in this cycle of like worrying questions. Peter: Is is that where your anxiety comes in a little bit too? Because mine's like that. It'll take something and it'll just go to start spinning it and running with it and keep going in a circle continuously. I kind of feel like that's where yours plays in a little bit too. Mia Mason: Yeah, definitely. definitely. Yeah. Peter: Yeah, that's what it's like. You know, it's like I said, 'cause it's interesting when you when you people listen to anxiety, it's like, okay, cool. So how's it for you? Because I you know, you always wonder how other people it affects other people, because it's interesting to hear what other people say, how it does it for them. Because you know, with a lot of things like BPD and and bipolar, all these other things affect people different ways. And when that when I started the show, it was like we were exploring a lot of that too. Anytime I had somebody that's something I didn't understand, I was like, Hey, listen, would you come on here and explain to people what it's like to have these things? You know, and it's it's always interesting because then you start realizing that, you know, it manifests in different people, different ways, like when it shows up. Like for you and I, we may have similarities, but you have O C D as well. So yours just kind of looks like it just takes it and runs with it for you. You know, as for me, I got I have anxiety and depression. So my anxiety feeds into my depression. You know, it's like an endless continuous loop of hell for me sometimes in my head, you know, and and things like that as well. And and you know, it's It's great though when you get people like yourself, especially OCD, because you don't get a lot of people to talk about it a lot. You know, that one's really not a common one shows up. Tourette's. I only haven't had anybody on this show yet that's had Tourette's syndrome. What I did on my side project, though, and that was an interesting one too, to find out the things that you find out about a lot of what people think that what it's like, it's really not, you know, like all the weird mannerisms people have. Like he was telling us no, that's only like a small percentage of people that do have the little outbursts and you know, stuff like that. And then we got TV, of course, who has that show with a kid. You know what I mean? It's like, mm, yeah. It it's scary though, because once you're out there putting things out there on the internet, especially with your book, you know, it Mia Mason: Remember. Peter: had to be nerve wracking once you put it out there because then those those doubts came out, huh? Mia Mason: yeah, so this is like kinda like the craziest thing I've done in such a good way. Like I it's something I I love art, like I was saying before, I love like doing things to help others. It and that this the book combines my my two things I I love, which of course means like O C D's really gonna come for that. So yeah, it was I mean, it it's been it's been a very like cool journey. Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: It's yeah. So it it was a very difficult thing. It was probably like the biggest kind of challenge that I've I've had in like even just like writing it and and doing it, like I'd say the biggest challenge is actually releasing it and like putting it out there. Peter: I bet. You were on n pins and needles in that one, girl. You were like, I should I do it? I shouldn't. I shouldn't. Keep going back and Mia Mason: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Peter: forth like Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of thing. You're just saying back and forth. Mia Mason: yeah. And then I'm so happy I did it and I've honestly been met with so much like positivity and and great feedback Peter: Well, it's awesome though. Mia Mason: from it, yeah. Peter: So what brought about the book though? I mean, like, you know, writing Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: a book itself is a process. Well, you Mia Mason: yeah. Peter: know, for you to go that far and you're illustrating it yourself. So that's really cool. So you get to do both. You're writing this and and Mia Mason: Mm. Wow. Peter: you're adding your own artwork in there as you go. Mia Mason: Mm-hmm. Yeah. So basically, like I was saying before, I've kind of always had O C D. I just didn't know it. But when I graduated college, like the years kind of after that, I went through like a really, really difficult time. where I was probably experiencing what I now know is like OCD at one of the most like intense kind of periods of time I was or kind of like flares, I guess, or Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: it was a it was a very intense time for OCD. It was really taking over my life. and then with the help of my mom and dad, they were kind of like, hey, I think you probably need to like see somebody. And I was like, I agree. so I went to a therapist who was not an anxiety specialist at first, but led me to one. Which there's a chapter in my book called Finally an Anxiety Specialist, which I didn't even know existed before all of this. And a lot of people don't, but they specialize or can specialize in like OCD treatment. because Peter: Mm-hmm. Mia Mason: OCD is kind of requires its own type of treatment that's a little different than like regular anxiety kind of stuff. Peter: Yeah, for sure. Mia Mason: yes, but basically. Started seeing this therapist who's an anxiety specialist. And I was in therapy, kind of like learning these concepts. And then it was me and my therapist both kind of discovered the best way I learn is through drawing. So, like as therapy homework, I was kind of drawing out the concepts that I was learning in therapy. Peter: That's really cool. Mia Mason: Yeah. And then I was bringing them back and being like, Okay, this is what I got. And like, and then again as really my therapist who's kind of like encouraging me, like, hey, this is something really cool. I think it would be awesome if you did if you put it together in some kind of like visual like way, like a book or something, so that you could, you know, help other people. And I was like, This is a horrifying kind of idea, like something I wanted to know. Yeah. Yeah. Peter: Yes. Yes. I c I can feel that's where that was leading to. Like me is like, God help me. No, I can't do that. Mia Mason: No, so like not only just like writing the whole thing and like doing all the drawings, but then I was like, You're telling me I'm gonna put something out that kind of can lead back and point to me potentially, even if there's nothing actually in there saying I'm bad or did something wrong, like I'm gonna put that out and like let people kind of like see see me, but it's like th that's ultimately what I really wanted to do and I did, which was really cool. But it was yeah. Peter: Yeah, you did. And congratulations, man. It it sounded like it was a it was a mental struggle getting there. Mia Mason: Thank you so much. Yeah. It was I mean, it was cool though too, 'cause it honestly i I didn't really mean for this to kind of be the case, but I kind of like wrote this book and and developed it like in like conjunction and like through like my entire like process with like O C D like treatment, which was really interesting. And and like the book is it's not like completely like autobiograph like autobiography. It's but it is based on my like very real experience with O C D and anxiety. and doing like all the O C D treatment and stuff. So thank you. Peter: Yeah, I think it's pretty cool though that you put it out there though. I mean because other other people will know that they're not alone, like, you know, especially with O C D like I said, like a lot of people you don't even know may have it, you know, and it's or they don't know Mia Mason: No, they they don't. Yeah. Peter: they have it either. Mia Mason: I yeah, I didn't know. and it's it's not widely talked about, but not even it it's the way it's portrayed in media is very stereotypical. Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: and it's used very casually in conversation, like, I'm organized, so I'm like so O C D. but that's not at all like the case of what O C D actually is. Or how it like shows up. And a lot of the time, a reason people struggle to kind of like share what they're going through is the thoughts and images that your brain creates that it's not up to you are very like taboo or upsetting or Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: make you sound like something's wrong. Like I used to be very afraid that I hit somebody with my car and didn't remember. which is like funny now, sort of. Like, but like it's like obviously I would know, Peter: What? What? god, no. Mia Mason: like, right, and I know like for me at least per per this is my personal like experience, like I know like there's no way I could have hit a biker with my car. Like I do know this without like it being like somehow visible, but in my brain I'm like, but what if? like it that is what happened. Peter: Yeah. Yeah. Mia Mason: which I call kind of like that that's my ghost trying to scare me or that's my O C D trying to scare me. And the ghost pops up in the book quite a bit. So Yeah. I call my ghost. Peter: Yeah. that that's interesting though. You call it your ghost though because Mia Mason: Yeah. So it's just they're trying to scare me all the time. But the Yeah Peter: Yeah. I I like that though. It's a very good analogy for it though. I mean it's basically what it sums it up. It's the end is scaring you. But that that's really cool though. I think that's hilarious. you think you hit somebody? Well like, wait a minute, hold up, girl. What? Mia Mason: Yeah, but I was like broken up about it. Well, that's what I'm saying though too. It's like you kind of say that out loud and people are kinda like, What are you talking about? and like they Peter: Yeah, but they don't understand w your side of the coin. Mia Mason: don't understand that like I I understand that it doesn't make sense, but I still feel like what if that did happen? Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: and It's very distressing and it it doesn't have it can be like I think you can have like O C D theme about like anything, honestly. But like, yeah, it it that all kind of for me is like morality, like did I do the wrong thing? Like did I do something to like hurt Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: somebody? it's not all like just contamination, which is a very real like OCD subtype. But I think in media it's portrayed more as like organized, like kind of like clean freak more than it is like debilitating like worry and like obsession and then followed by like these compulsions Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: that are really disruptive to your life. Peter: Yeah, no, I get that. So Mia, let me ask you a question though, though. For friends, though, do you have to explain them sometimes? Like people that you meet that don't understand your O C D like, hey, listen, I may say something offhand but understand that that this is just some things I do sometimes. And do do you end up explaining it to a lot of people like what it is that you're going through so they can better understand it, you know? Mia Mason: That's a really great question. So what's interesting for me is so when I released this book probably like well, right from where when we're recording, like like six months ago or so. Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: and up until then I actually had not shared with anybody that I had O C D except for my immediate family and my best friend. so it's interesting and and now everybody knows 'cause of the the book. And is very like supportive and and wonderful, which is something else I think was a really cool like experience because I was very nervous Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: of like that kind of like stigma for it. But as far as like actually explaining to like my friends, I don't really explain to them like like let's say like I meet like a new friend or whatever and they don't know, like I I don't really like all like be like, hey, this is what is happening like right now because I might need to start again if that's okay. Okay, sorry. I was like, Peter: No, go ahead. You're good. You're good. Mia Mason: I might Okay, so let me go back to Peter: Okay, don't worry. Listen, so you were saying that you that you when you meet new people, you don't explain it to them just because. Mia Mason: I I don't Peter: Is it is it more of a fear thing that you don't want people to look at you kind of weird based on the stigmas they hear about O C D? Mia Mason: Not really. It's not that I don't like I will share that with people that I know and like am comfortable with. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't necessarily always share all the details right away of like exactly like what Peter: okay. Mia Mason: I'm nervous about or what like, you know, when I get kind of like anxious, but what would I just because it's like I I don't I don't need everybody to know that exact kind of thing because also it's like a lot of my stuff is like in social like situations. So I don't Peter: Amy. Mia Mason: want them to be like, you're okay, you're okay. Because kind of getting like that reassurance is actually harmful to Peter: Mm-hmm. Mia Mason: like me because essentially what happens is like you're in a You can't control like worries that like pop into your head, right? That like happen to you. But what you can do is you can kind of control the response that you have to them. So like I used to like a compulsion I used to do was reassurance seeking. So I would go like I'd have a conversation with my friends just you know normal whatever and then I go to like my mom and be like, hey, I said this, like do you think this sounds bad? And then she would be like, No, it sound you're fine, you're great, don't worry, which is like what any normal person would like say, like to try to like kind of like help their friend or you know, kid or whatever, like kind of like feel better. But really what that is doing is it was creating like a a cycle of like I need to ask people. to make sure I didn't say something wrong. So really what it did is it like fueled this kind of like need to go tell somebody and like go check. Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: So when it it basically eliminating like the compulsion or reducing the compulsion is kind of what like breaks that like cycle of like asking and worrying. And it it doesn't make it go away. But you don't get as like trapped in that very like intense cycle of, I said something, I need to go ask to make that Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: like a leave. So instead of like it dropping off like that, now you're gonna kind of ride it and let it like dissipate like itself. but I do share with people like kind of what I just said, like. And s if I, you know, if I'm having like a hard time and you can see I'm having like a hard time, like I might say like this is me, my I say this to my mom, say this to my my best friend, I'm like, I'm doing a really good job right now. Like, so they kinda know, like, okay, she's worried about something, but we're just gonna let her go along her life and we're like, we're supporting you, but we're not like reassuring you. Makes sense. So Peter: Yeah. Yeah, it makes perfect sense. Mia Mason: Yeah, so like that's kind of I guess that I would share. So it's that I don't share it with people that I have like Peter: But you don't want them to mis misunderstand what you're saying to you. I I get what you're saying in a sense you get Yeah. Mia Mason: Yeah, I just yeah. I it's usually like people I'm like closer with or like I'll like Yeah, I'll definitely like like like than that, but Peter: You have to make it to the inner circle essentially to know that all that's it makes sense. Yeah, no. Yeah. Mia Mason: and I'm not saying it you you shouldn't tell people, like you should absolutely tell or who have whatever you feel like good with, but most of the time that I've told people it's like I'm met with so much kindness and Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: like compassion and y like respect and if you're like just as like advice if you're ever not met with that by somebody you kind of know that's not probably a person you want to be around. Peter: Exactly. Mia Mason: but yeah, so I I guess I I do, yeah. But just kind of Yeah, it's not like my if Peter: Yeah, but it's the way you go about it though, you know. I I I can understand that. Mia Mason: you're just like, Hi, I'm Mia, I this is all my like, you know, whatever. But Yeah. Peter: Right. Just like just give like a dating profile. Like, hey, I'm Mia. I do O C D and you know, yeah. 'Cause you don't know how people are gonna take that or what they're gonna do with that. I mean, it makes sense though, you know. Does it does it Mia Mason: No. No. Peter: make dating hard though? I mean, 'cause you get in certain situations and and I'm sure it gets awkward for times, you know. Mia Mason: yeah, that's it yeah, I I s I struggle with that, just in general. Like just in general, yeah, which yeah, I think you know Yeah. Peter: Yeah. Just like in general. We all do, trust me. You're not the only one. It's it's rough out there, okay? Depending on what age range you fall into, it's it's not a fun place to be, man. There's stories for days of people I've met when it was in a dating scene, and it's just like you just yeah, wow, the power of a conversation doesn't go far anymore. Like you some of these Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: people you can't even have it with. And I'm like, Yeah, I can only imagine what it's like for you because let me tell you, for me, it was just like, wow. Yeah, I'd rather be single at this point than deal with any of these people because, you know, what of like they engage with you and then then don't hold a conversation and you're like, okay, this'll be an interesting time, like, you know, but yeah. Mia Mason: Yeah. Definitely. But yeah, it's I I I'm pretty proud of myself though. I've been I've been actually trying to go on dates and stuff and and do more of that kind of thing, which used to just like not be an option for me just 'cause I was so nervous about like saying or doing something crazy. Peter: Yeah. You're gonna say it do something, eventually some's gonna think it's crazy. It at this point, like listen, I've done like four hundred plus interviews. Let me tell you, I at this point Mia Mason: Hmm. Peter: I'm gonna say what I'm gonna say. You know, somebody gonna get offended. Okay, Mia Mason: And Peter: sorry, don't know what to tell you. Don't listen. Mia Mason: And that's kind of like where I'm at. Like not that I don't care, like as I definitely do care. unfortunately, like a little too much. Peter: She says unfortunately. Mia Mason: Yeah, just like a little too much. But kind of what I do now is like I if if and this and kind of let me take a second. Okay. Peter: You got it. Mia Mason: Back to what I was saying about Peter: You're good. Mia Mason: like kind of what I still talk and obviously to like people and still like do stuff and I still will come back from a conversation and kind of get hit with that worry, which is like what I call like my my ghost trying to scare me. But kinda now what I know is like when that theme kind of shows up, that I just kind of remind myself, like, okay, this is OCD and it's trying to scare me. And now I'm gonna kind of accept that feeling of worry. and I'm not gonna try to stop it and I'm not gonna I don't need to do anything to solve it right now. but I'm just gonna accept that it's there and now I'm gonna go do something else. and for me that just kind of means anything like you kind of value or makes your world bigger. And it's not that I'm doing that in attempt to make that anxiety go away. It's I'm gonna go do something that I value while I'm worried, and kind of ride it out that worry, like Peter: Yeah. Mia Mason: while I'm doing something that's meaningful to me and makes my life bigger. Cause I used to be in a in a place where like I would genuinely be like in a ball, like like just not being able to do anything. and kind of like through lots of therapy, of course like and everything, I've kind of come to a place where I'm like, okay, I'm gonna not I'm gonna go do something like that I can like I do a lot of like art when I'm like kinda in that, like so I'll like make something and be like, okay, now at least I have something like I can show like I made this, like I did this, like this brings like joy to my life and value. Peter: What kind of what kind of art do you do? Anything you focus on, like nature or or do you do like any anything particular that you like to draw? Or is it just kinda all right, just go with the flow of the moment and see what you feel? 'Cause you know, every artist has their own different way they do things. Mia Mason: No, totally. I I really like to I I kinda go with the flow like a lot, which is really nice for me because like there's not a lot of aspects in my life that I just kinda let myself I'm like working on, but like then I just let myself kind of like do what's gonna happen. Like you know, like so I do like that a lot about art. So I do kinda like to just kind of see what happens and where it takes me. But Honestly them I I really like to draw things related to or that express like anxiety, OCD, Peter: Mm-hmm. Mia Mason: like kind of more like complex things. And then also like drawings that kind of show like what your world can look like when you don't just have anxiety or OCD like as your whole world. so I really do like that. I've like gotten into that quite a bit. And then I also like to draw like just like fun like stuff. I love to like doodle like not doodle but like like little tiny like dots like all in like one kind of section or like stars and like another Peter: Mm. Mia Mason: or make like patterns and like cool stuff. But yeah, I love abstract. I guess is kind of my my favorite when I'm not like doing like the kind of graphic novel kind of stuff. Peter: Well, I see I like the graphic novel things too. I had an artist, I had actually somebody on recently. She's a British cartoonist named Gemma Corell. She Yeah, she she was really cool though. Gemma's book is Mia Mason: I listened to the episode. Yeah. Peter: really great. Anxiety Land was really interesting piece that she had done. so if you haven't read it yet or checked it out, you definitely check it out because it's really cool. Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: Cause she illustrated the whole book and like it depicts like how anxiety is for her and things like that too. But it was it was cool when she came to me about it. Her people came to me or talking to me about it. I was like, yeah, I'll check it out. Why not? And then they sent me a copy of the book ahead of time. I was looking through it and I was like, this is really cool how she Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: set it up, you know. So I I haven't had a chance to check yours out, but I will definitely check it out. Because I think it's really interesting when you say graphic novel, because I think that's an interesting way to look at things. Because I also hosted for the season finale, the guys from Calamity Comics, Elliot and Alicia Madden came on. They both had this comic book, and it's about what happens behind closed doors. Like, which if you really got into someone's head, What is it people deal with that you may not even know? So the centers around a character that, you know, in the first time in comic book history, that you had to put a disclaimer in the beginning of this comic book because it the graphic nature of what you're about to get into. And it's never been done before to this point, which was so interesting. When I met Elliot and I had met on a panel before we were talking about this, so I invited the two of them to come and we talked about the book and he had done different covers for it. So I'll have to forward you the copy of it because you can see it online. Because I have a digital copy of it. Elliot told me I he's already out anyways, but it's really cool to see. But there's different different pictures of the covers too that you know Alicia did hers and then they sent it out to some other people and just said, Hey, listen, run with this and see what you come up with, what you think of this story, and then put a cover to it. And I always thought it was really cool because I'm a big comic book guy, anime guy, things like that. I love all that kind of stuff. So graphic novels always draw to me and things like that too, just because I like the setup of how it goes. So I thought it was interesting. But when Gemma came to me, Her episode and I, we were when we were talking though, it was really interesting to see how she portrayed everything. Because it was Mia Mason: Mm-hmm. Peter: really cool because somebody's giving you a picture for it. Because you know, everybody learns in a different way. Some people can read things, some people are visual learners, you know. And I I felt like, you know, giving people that don't understand what we deal with on a daily basis sometimes a better idea to give visualization to what it is is really cool. So when you're I was reading your profile and it said illustrator, I'm like, this is really cool because I wonder what you do. But then you said you take off and run with it. Which I think is really interesting because for people that don't understand, some people understand the pictures better and they can get a better visualization from what's the thoughts that are going on your head. So that's really cool to see though that you've added that into the book and things like that. Because it people can see it as they go through, they get a better eye visualization of what it is. Do you do you post a lot of your stuff online too? Some of the RPCs you do? Mia Mason: Yeah. I do post online on like Peter: Nice. Mia Mason: Instagram mostly. I do have TikTok as well, that I do stuff on too. Posts of like that. It's also like Peter: You ever you ever think about going live and doing something live with people and just showing Mia Mason: I haven't, but I probably should, honestly. that would be a fun thing to do and try. yeah, that that'd be a cool thing to do. Peter: There's a lot of mental health advocates on TikTok that you that'll have to get you connected with some people on there for sure, that Mia Mason: Yep. Well. Peter: I've met because I'm on TikTok as well. I'm on everything. I'm gonna be honest, I'm on every single thing possible, dude. I spend majority of my time on TikTok, Instagram, and that's pretty much it. It's Facebook, I'm kind of there, Ernest. It's a little bit X, not really. That's a scary place to be, you know, but I spent a lot of my time in Instagram and TikTok, but TikTok more because I interact with a lot more people. Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: as I go and I've met a lot of people that are advocates as well and things like that too. So, you know, I'll have to look you up for sure and connect with you on there and get you linked up with some other people too because it'd be really cool to see because I've met there's a lady on Instagram. I don't remember what her name is. I'll have to look it up for you and send you a c it's well now I've got your Instagram. I'll shoot it over to you. But she does sculptures of different like mental health disorders and things and what it would be like and they're really cool pieces 'cause she sculpts them by hand. And then the end pieces are so really, really fascinating because it's like it's so cool to see how people depict it, you know. So it it was really cool though, because I was like, man, this is really neat to see, though. And then when OCD came up in yours, I was like, yeah, we gotta have her. Because like I said, not a lot of people talk about this. I've had one person and I've done like four or plus interviews of this show Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: and I've yet to run into many people that have it, you know? And it's always great to get your perspective. And then the fact you have your book out, and then we can get some more people to go check out the book. And you said you were getting positive views. What kind of things are people saying? Like, are the other people that have OCD that are reaching out? Mia Mason: yeah, definitely other people who have O C D. like a lot of people who don't have it too, which is really cool. I I tell this story a lot, but it it's it's something that I find very meaningful. Like honestly, like probably the coolest thing that kind of came out of this book for me personally. it's w when I shared it with my family for the first time. they were like, We we know what O C D is, we know you experience it and we support you and they are so supportive and and wonderful. Peter: That's awesome. Mia Mason: which is great. But the kind of they were like n now we we feel what you feel, which was very cool. Like, Yeah. I know, yeah. Peter: Well, hats off to them though, because a lot of people don't have that support system like that. And, you know, that's that's the whole point behind the show is creating that space for people to get support like that. And I don't know a lot of these people that come in. Hello, these people I've just met today. A lot of people that come in and, you know, and I I still do the same way. I listen to everything they have to say because it's like it's hard when people don't get what you deal with. But they, you know, my parents are really supportive of what I do, but I don't know if they really understand a lot of the things they struggle with sometimes, you know. But it's it's like, you know, they support what you're doing, which is really cool because like, you know. We have these great things called phones, but we don't use them for good things like understanding the other side of the coin. You know, especially Mia Mason: Mm-hmm. Peter: when you get into relationships with people that have certain things like BPD and some of these other really extreme ones, like, you know, they don't spend the time to look into see what what it is that people like yourself are dealing with and understand better, like, okay, this is how I can better support this person or you know, stuff like that too. Because, you know, we want to sit there and be negative versus going being helpful to somebody because you know it costs zero to be kind to everybody. But you know, we forget that being human at the end of the day is what we all are. And, you know, just showing a little bit of compassion to some people is all they need. Like you may not understand what people go through or even ask you, like, hey, Mia, what is it like? You know? And that you better explain it to them. Like, hey, listen, these are the things you could do to be supportive to people that I have these kind of things. You know, and and that's the kind of stuff I I'd like to see if you not haven't done them already. There's stuff like that. Just let people know. Hey, listen, I I this is what it's like. This is how you can better help people. You know, coming from a person that hasn't, you know, I think it comes a little stronger because it's like, you know, listen, I deal with this, but this is what it's like, you know, because BPD, borderline personality, sorry, for everybody that may get that one mixed up with you know, bipolar and all that stuff. you know, that one's a one I was I was involved with somebody that had it and she they was always demonized. But it's like, why? Because you don't take time to understand what these individuals are dealing with or understand like how they react to certain things. You know, I was lucky enough though during the first second scene of the show, I actually had an an expert in BPD come on. She was on the show and she's one of my one of my one of the people I've been soughting after for the longest time. For her to be sitting in the studio with me, I I'm gonna tell I fangirled that whole episode. I'm not gonna lie to you. You just watched me just completely fangirl. But you know, it was so cool because I that was the first person I reached out to when I found out this girl had it. I was like, hey, listen, I'm talking to somebody. what is the what's some things I need to know like now? Like I should know ahead of time. And she had a free community I could join. So I joined her community to go get some advice and things and just you know just be better supportive in general, just in case you know it didn't happen like that. We were just friends. Hey, how can I support her better? Because you know, people that go through that are like their emotions aren't like a major side scroll, you know, and people don't understand that they always demonize. whoa, so horrible deal. But was it really, or is it the fact that you didn't take time to learn more about the individuals, you know, what they're dealing with, or be supportive to them or say, Hey, listen, what can I do to support you better? Yes, you know what? I was on a group panel with a group of experts. I being the only guy, not an expert, asked that did any of you ask them how to help them? They all looked at me like, no, we never even thought of that. Mia Mason: Mm-hmm. Peter: How is the one simple thing to do? Just ask the individual, hey, listen, what can I do to help you in this moment? How is that so far over all your heads? All those PhDs and all those wonderful things on the wall, and you can't think of the one thing you should have done, is just say, hey, listen, what can I do better to help you in that situation? Mia Mason: Yeah, totally. It's Peter: Well, Mia, we're we're at that part of the show. You already know what's coming up. Okay. So we're at the part of the show where I asked those two questions and then you already know what they are. And I am interested to hear this first one. Okay. So Mia, my question to you is if your mental health had a song, what would you say your song would be? Mia Mason: that's a great question. Jews. honestly Peter: You can do as as many songs as you need to. Mia Mason: I I don't really I do listen to lyrics of songs, but I honestly listen to more of like the vibe, the energy of them. Peter: Tone of it. Mm-hmm. Mia Mason: so I think I'm gonna say I love this band, Wet Leg. they're really cool. Peter: Mm-hmm. I know exactly that it is. Mia Mason: Yeah, yeah. it's kind of more like something I listen to when I'm kind of like in a moment, like kind of like my do something else kind of thing. so I don't really know if it like represents my mental health in like a literal way, but for me it's like a way, Peter: Doesn't have to. That's a song. Mia Mason: yeah, that I I really I feel not better, but like I it's something I can turn to like when I feel like like stress like that. Peter: You know, and that's the reason I asked that question of people, because music is a very big part of my life too. I listen to music all the time, constantly singing now. Lyric-wise, I listen to a lot of them too. in a lot of times it's just the tone of the music and the the pace of the song and explain a lot of it. Like my answers were my anxiety is su for artificial suicide by bad omens, and then my depression song was Leave a Light on Talk Out of the Dark by Papa Roach, and then a different kind of pain by cold as well. both fell in that depression kind of category a little bit to describe it to people that never experienced these things. You know, it's just the slow pace or the fast pace. You and and it doesn't have to the lyrics don't have to do it 'cause you know, artificial suicide. Obviously the lyrics to that song is not what that means. That's not what Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: I'm saying in those. But you know what mean? Like it's it's great Mia Mason: Mm-hmm. Peter: because music's an easy way to describe it to people 'cause you can give them a sense of the tone of what you're listening. Like the pace of the music, the you know, the the tone of the music I was coming off, the Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: the forcefulness of the lyrics and things like that, you know. and and everything like that as well. So you know so like if you had to give O C D a song, what would you say would best fit though, in your opinion? Would it be like something Mia Mason: okay. Peter: chaotic, maybe? I'm thinking something in the punk rock category, honestly. Mia Mason: Yeah, yeah. Probably something like high energy, but not necessarily good like chaotic energy. Kinda like I don't know. Almost like a like a like a Screamo kind of like thing, like where Peter: Me is really thinking of this one. Yeah. Mia Mason: it's just like very like overstimulating kind of feeling. yeah. Peter: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I know. I think it's perfect. Think I think it's playing the perfect. Yeah, I get you. I'm following you, trust me. I'm a music guy. We I've had a few guests on, a few artists come on. Actually, I've like Mia Mason: Yeah. Peter: I've had several artists come on. There's you want an interesting one, BPD. Lucy Nora from Haunter has BPD. Didn't even know until I interviewed her. She she came on the show and was talking to us and she was telling us all about it and then mentioned it. And then I asked her what her what her view was of it. You know, and we've had other bands on, like Lives Lost is a big mental health band. And things like that too. I go I don't really generalize in any categories. It's just if I feel like they're fitting the vibe, I I ask them to come. And a lot of them have said yes. And it's been pretty cool to get their perspectives on things. this season we did have an artist come on. we're gonna have another one because the intro to the show is gonna be different this time. The one that you hear currently is my buddy Note. He was on season two. He came on the show and it was and it he was over ecstatic. Like I thought he was fangrowing a little bit. He was pretty cool to meet though. Real nice guy. and he kind of fits in that category a little bit. So, you know, one last time is the actual official song of season three. season four is going to be another artist. He's a Christian rapper. I haven't decided the song yet. I need to because with season four coming around the corner, I really need to get my my shit together. But you know, as Mia City earlier, I sent her the wrong time the email. I had her panicking for a minute. You know, I'll get my life together eventually. But you know, anyways, with that being said, we're on to the final question. Okay, you ready for this one? Mia Mason: Yes. Peter: If you could break the stigma about mental health, okay, what would you say that one thing would be? And you can choose any topic you want. Mia Mason: If I do mind repeating now one more time, sorry. Peter: Can you br can you break the stigma of about mental health? Like what what's something you want people to stop believing? You can use O C D as an example if you want, or what anything else you hear people that you know just want people to stop believing, you know? Mia Mason: Yeah. I think this is probably more like OCD specific, but probably falls a l in a lot of different categories. Peter: Mm-hmm. Mia Mason: you are not the only one that experiences thoughts, feelings, like worries that are very upsetting and distressing and and you might feel like you're the only person that experiences that. But there are so many other people in the world that experience that exact same thing you do. it's just really hard, I think, to take that kind of step into sharing those really scary thoughts, especially with like a professional, can be very intimidating. but honestly, w when you go into those kind of like meetings or situation you're you're you're really met with like a lot of a lot of kindness and like understanding and if you see an anxiety specialist they're probably gonna be like yeah we've heard that before like that's not new like I know it feels it feels like very strange and and odd but they they've heard a lot of but yeah I guess really the messages is like you're not alone you're not you're not the only person even though it it really feels like that Peter: Well, Mia, thank you so much for coming and hanging out today. You did fantastic. Mia Mason: That was Peter: you you were great, guys. I loved having you. Before we wrap Mia Mason: I think Peter: up this episode, do you wanna literally know where to find you? Obviously the book's available on Amazon. Guys, I will include all her links into the bio so you guys can go check her out and show her some love. And let's know you heard her here on the show. Mia Mason: Yeah, you can find me on Instagram and TikTok. It's worries underscore whispers. and then the book is on Amazon. Worries Whispers. It's an apostrophe s on worries, because worry is the name of my ghost. So that's yeah, that's my thank you, thank you. Peter: That's pretty cool. I like that. Awesome. And guys, with that being said, we're going to wrap up this episode of Pete Fritz Anxiety. You guys want to find me on Pete Fritz Anxiety? I'm an X all the way down to TikTok. I'm on Spotify all the way down to Pandora Radio. And as always, say it costs nothing. Absolutely nothing to be kind to somebody. One kind act you could do could save someone's life hell you can make their day. I'm Pete Fritz Anxiety. Sign off saying, Don't ask how your day is today. Say hey, how's your mental health?