Is This Anxiety or Is My Brain Just Freaking Out
This Complex Life · Marie Vakakis
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Show Notes
Anxiety can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially when your brain reacts faster than you can make sense of it. In this episode, I talk with Dr Jodi Richardson about the difference between everyday stress, overwhelming worry and anxiety that needs more support.
We explore why anxiety shows up in the body, why discomfort often feels unsafe and how childhood patterns can affect the way we manage emotions as adults. Jodi shares practical, compassionate ways to understand your anxiety and feel more grounded when your mind starts spiralling.
In this episode we cover:
• The difference between stress, overwhelm and anxiety
• Why anxiety activates the stress response
• How childhood emotional patterns shape anxiety
• Why discomfort often feels dangerous
• What helps when anxiety feels big
• How to support someone with anxiety without fixing
• When to seek professional help
Your brain is not broken. It is responding to something that feels uncertain or overwhelming, and you can support it in ways that actually work.
Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
https://drjodirichardson.com.au/
Resources:
📕Daily Stoic
Connected Teens
https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/
Connect with Marie
https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/
Submit a question to the Podcast
https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6
Mentioned in this episode:
Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset https://marievakakis.com.au/relationship-new-year-reset-2026/