In this week’s episode, we take a deep dive into anxiety—something that affects nearly 20% of the population and twice as many women as men. We chat about the different ways anxiety can show up in your life, the underlying causes, and the tools you can use to cope. Whether it’s hormonal fluctuations, past trauma, or just the demands of our fast-paced culture, anxiety can hit us all, but there’s hope for healing and thriving.

We also share our own experiences with anxiety (yep, even therapists feel it!) and discuss effective approaches like EMDR, exposure response prevention, and mindfulness. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of anxiety and practical tips to help you or someone you care about take control. 

Episode Highlights:
[00:00] - Reflecting on our personal experiences with anxiety.
[02:56] - How anxiety manifests differently in women, from Type A tendencies to the effects of hormonal shifts.
[07:18] - Exploring the “volcano metaphor” for anxiety and the hidden cultural, genetic, and environmental layers that contribute.
[14:05] - Common triggers for anxiety, from childhood experiences to significant life events, and their impact on mental health.
[21:27] - The role of fear and how it connects to anxiety, plus how to push through when it matters most.
[28:49] - Simple yet powerful coping strategies like exercise, mindfulness, and being in nature.
[39:36] - The importance of exposure therapy and facing fears gradually to build resilience.
[45:20] - Why medication is a valuable option for managing clinical anxiety and overcoming stigma around it.
[53:16] - Lifestyle strategies like diet, sleep, and relaxation techniques to ease everyday anxiety.
[1:01:56] - Recommended books and resources for learning more about anxiety and effective treatments.

Resources:

Recommended reading:

• The Anatomy of Anxiety by Dr. Ellen Vora
• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
• More book recommendations are listed on our website!

For more on this topic visit our website insightsfromthecouch.org If you have questions please email us at [email protected] we would love to hear from you!

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