Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark vs. GAD: A Mental Health Warrior’s Self-Help Story of Triumph
- Bruce Schutter
- Aug 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 21
It started like most days downtown — me debating whether I needed another diet soda or just a moment of silence. Mid-thought, a cheerful (and very twitchy) voice cut through:
“Bruce! It’s you! Oh no — do I look okay? Should I have worn the other shirt? I was going to journal first but I got excited and — never mind! I have something to tell you!”
It was Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark, one of Marvin the “Mental Health Warrior” Cat’s crew.
I grinned. “Andy, my fellow GAD survivor. What’s the occasion?”
His eyes lit up. “I’m a Mental Health Warrior now — like Marvin. Like YOU. And it’s changing everything!”
From Spinning to Standing Strong
Andy launched into his news like he’d been holding it in since breakfast — which he probably had, because he was worried he overcooked the oatmeal… and maybe under-cleaned the spoon.
“I used to feel like my anxiety was running the whole show, Bruce. Every day was just a giant spiral of ‘what ifs.’
But then I read your story — how you spent 20 years battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. How you hit rock bottom and tried to end your life. And how, in the middle of that darkness, you discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Then you created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge! So people like me can finally take charge of our emotions, triumph over challenges, and build the life we really want.
Well… becoming a Warrior? That didn’t just change me. It gave me hope. It gave me tools. It gave me strength.”
Warrior Solution
“I realized,” Andy continued, adjusting his glasses, “that GAD isn’t the enemy. It’s a challenge I can meet with the Warrior approach — and triumph over, one day at a time. I no longer feel alone in a battle I didn’t choose.
When I picked up your book I Triumphed over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior, it has the warrior blueprint. Not just for surviving — but for actually living like a Warrior. Every page showed me how to face life on my terms.”
I nodded. “Exactly. SELF-HELP doesn’t mean doing it all alone — it means building the mindset and tools to take charge of your emotions, move forward with strength and lean on your support tribe when you need backup.”
“YES!” Andy said, nearly knocking over a display of eco-friendly to-go lids. “That’s why I fill my Warrior toolbelt daily. Because when anxiety flares up — and it does — I want to be ready.
Matter of fact, let me give you three examples of how I triumphed last week!”
Example 1: Finances and Future Panic
"Last week," Andy said, "I checked my bank account, and my brain went full DEFCON 1: 'You’re broke. You’ll never retire. You probably shouldn’t even buy spinach.'"
"Classic GAD," I said. "Right? So I pulled out my Warrior tool: Financial Facts vs Fear. I sat down, made a list of what I knew was true versus what my brain was spinning.
Turns out, I’m not broke — I just paid a couple of bills early. I am managing my expenses. That restored me to calm place, where I am in charge. So yes, I bought the spinach."
Our Turn:
I’ve been there too. One time I checked my bank account late at night, saw a smaller balance than I expected, and my brain instantly jumped to: “That’s it. You’re failing again. You’ll never get ahead.”
But when I stopped, took a breath, and pulled out my Warrior tool — separating facts from fear — the truth came out. The “disaster” was just a couple of automatic bills clearing early. My income was still steady. My expenses were still under control. The fear was louder than the facts.
That pause was everything. Instead of spiraling, I regained perspective, reminded myself I was in charge, and made one small adjustment the next day to feel even more secure. The storm in my head passed, and calm returned.
💥 Financial Doom Spiral: Dodged like a Boss!
Example 2: The Project Perfection Panic
"Then there was the presentation I had to give," Andy said, eyes wide. "I spent hours tweaking the font size — because what if the audience hates Arial? What if my data isn’t ‘insightful’ enough?"
"Been there," I nodded.
"So I used my mindset of ‘Progress, Not Perfection’ to snap out of it. I reminded myself that Warrior action beats anxious paralysis. I hit send. Gave the talk. It wasn’t flawless—but I didn’t run, and I got it done. And guess what? People actually liked it. Big Win!"
Our Turn:
I’ve wrestled with that same perfection panic. I remember spending hours reworking a presentation slide — shifting bullet points, swapping fonts, obsessing over whether the shade of blue looked “professional enough.” Underneath it all? Fear. Fear of being judged, of not being good enough.
Finally, I pulled out my Warrior mindset: Progress Not Perfection. I hit send, even though it wasn’t “perfect.”
And you know what? The world didn’t end. The talk went fine, people found value in it, and I walked away reminded that forward motion beats anxious paralysis every time.
🎯 Trade the endless loop of “not good enough” for one solid step forward.
Example 3: Anxiety for No Reason (a.k.a. Tuesday)
Andy’s ears twitched. “Okay, this one was just last night. I was sitting on the couch—nothing happened—and BAM. My brain goes, ‘You’re failing at life.’ No trigger. Just... a full-body dread wave out of nowhere!” 🎭
“The GAD sneak attack,” I said.
“Exactly! I wanted to cancel plans, snap at my roommate, maybe even stress-clean the ceiling fan. But instead, I grabbed my Mental Health Warrior Challenge Coin and did a 3-Minute Warrior Reset — deep breathing, grounding and reminding myself I’m in charge. Not GAD.”
Our Turn:
I know that random, wave-of-dread feeling too. I’ve had nights where nothing happened—and yet my mind screamed, You’re worthless. You’re behind. You’ll never catch up.
But that’s when Warrior tools save the day. I’ve used my coin as a physical anchor, pairing it with slow breathing until the panic loses its grip. Other times, I’ll move — push-ups, a quick walk, even chopping vegetables. Movement plus mindfulness shifts the story in my head from helpless to in charge!
⚔️ Anxiety may arrive uninvited, but it doesn’t get the final say. Reset. Refocus. Revel in being in charge again.
The Power of Self-Help
Andy leaned in. "Bruce, I know I’ll always have GAD. I’ll probably always overthink at least three things before breakfast. But the difference now? I’m equipped."
He paused, then added, “The Warrior mindset doesn’t promise life will be easy — it promises I’ll be ready. And with the power of a SELF-HELP approach, I don’t have to wait for help to arrive… because I am the help!”
I smiled. "That’s it right there. Self-help isn’t a backup plan. It’s the main strategy. Because challenges will always come — but we can train ourselves to respond, NOT react."
"And when I respond as a Warrior," Andy said, adjusting his satchel full of coping tools, "my anxiety loses its grip. I make the move. I choose the action. I come out stronger." 🛡️
Wrap Up
As we walked out of the coffee shop, Andy turned to me and grinned. "Marvin’s gonna love that I shared all this. He’s making me log it in our Mental Health Warrior Wins group chat."
"Tell him I said Hi — and that you’re crushing it!" I said, slipping a copy of my book, I Triumphed Over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior, into his satchel.
"This is the blueprint that started it all. Keep using it when the whispers get loud."
Andy’s eyes widened. "Thanks, Bruce. This… this makes me feel ready for whatever’s next."
We fist-bumped. Well, paw-bumped.
And as we headed off in opposite directions — we both walked taller. Because anxiety might still whisper in our ears, but today? We’re Warriors. And thanks to the power of a SELF-HELP approach, we’re equipped, empowered and ready to rise — every single day!
Bruce Schutter
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