April 08, 2025

Stressed, Depressed, Anxious—Summer’s Story of Survival and Self-Love

43 minutes

Welcome back to Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, the award-winning mental health podcast that's not afraid to get real. In this episode, we sit down with Summer, the honest and hilarious host of Stressed, Depressed, and Anxious, to talk about living through anxiety, coping with depression, and what it really means to survive your own mind.

Summer opens up about experiencing her first panic attack at 19, how writing became her emotional escape hatch, and why sometimes the simple act of spite is enough to keep going. From family stigma to workplace burnout, this conversation will hit home for anyone who's ever felt like their mental health story doesn’t “fit the mold.”

We’re proud to be the 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health, the 2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast, and the show that’s crossed over 1 million downloads worldwide.

We want to hear from YOU. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us written feedback or even a voice message here:

👉 https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a 👈

🧠 “The hardest lesson I’ve had to learn is that no one is coming to save you. You have to save yourself.” – Summer

🎧 Meet Our Guest: Summer

Summer is the creator and host of Stressed, Depressed, and Anxious, a podcast that brings mental health conversations out of the shadows and into the real world—with all the mess, honesty, and humor intact.

A self-described survivor and storyteller, Summer was the first in her family to address her mental health struggles head-on. After enduring clinical depression at 17 and navigating anxiety attacks in her early 20s, she found comfort in therapy, journaling, and connecting with others through raw, unfiltered storytelling. Her show is a home for listeners who want more than cookie-cutter advice—to feel understood.

Website: https://www.sdanxious.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdanxious/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stressedepressedanxious/

X: https://twitter.com/sd_anxious

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stresseddepressedanxious

⏱️ Episode Chapters

[00:01:00] – Meet Summer and her mental health journey

[00:05:00] – First anxiety attack and the weight of misdiagnosis

[00:08:30] – When anxiety shows up in everyday moments

[00:11:00] – Coping with chaos through writing and laughter

[00:16:00] – Breaking generational silence on mental health

[00:20:00] – Mental health at work: Toxicity and burnout

[00:26:00] – System failures: What happens when support isn't there

[00:35:00] – What Summer would tell her 5-year-old self

[00:39:00] – The courage to trust and be seen

[00:41:00] – Summer’s comfort rituals and self-care toolkit

✅ Actionable Tips from This Episode

Write a letter you’ll never send—a powerful and private release for stress and anger.

Track your anxiety triggers. Look for repeated moments where anxiety creeps in—especially when leaving isn't an easy option.

Name your emotions. Saying "I'm feeling anxious" can stop your brain from spiraling.

🧠 Takeaways That Hit Hard

Mental health can be invisible, but it’s always real.

Your story doesn’t have to be polished to be powerful.

Empathy begins where silence ends.

🎧 Podcast Shoutout!

Big shout out to Caitlin & Jenny from How to Be a Grownup! These two are a must-listen for moms and adulting humans who need to laugh, cry, and feel heard.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-be-a-grownup-a-humorous-guide-for-moms-with-ck-gk/id1600435714

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/18bYm4GWnS5JKiKcTqRQsT

Website: https://www.ckandgkpodcast.com/episodes

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#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #sdanxious #AnxietySupport #DepressionRecovery #NormalizeTherapy #StressedDepressedAnxious #PodcastForChange #PodcastCommunity #SelfLoveJourney #MentalHealthConversations #TherapyIsCool #HealingInProgress #WomenInPodcasting #MentalHealthMatters #SurvivalStory #RawTalk #StorytellingHeals

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If You Need Support, Reach Out

If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.

United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
Worldwide: Find a Helpline
Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub

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Audio Editing by NJz Audio

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By G-Rex and Dirty Skittles, Bleav

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