Anxiety & Panic Attacks: What’s Really Going On

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About this week’s episode 

In this episode, we dive into one of the most common yet misunderstood mental health challenges: anxiety and panic attacks. We explore what sets everyday anxiety apart from an anxiety disorder, and how panic attacks fit into the bigger picture of our body’s stress response.

You’ll hear about:

• What anxiety and panic attacks really are – and how to tell the difference
• How common they are (spoiler: nearly 1 in 3 adults will experience anxiety at some point in life)
• Who is most affected, and why are women and young adults at higher risk?
• The relationship between anxiety and panic – and how one can trigger the other
• Five key things to know about both anxiety and panic attacks, from symptoms to treatment
• How to support someone in the moment during an anxiety or panic episode
• The fascinating dive reflex—our body’s natural “calm button” when splashing cold water on the face
• How anxiety is portrayed in Inside Out 2 and why seeing it on screen matters
• The difference between trauma-induced anxiety and a stand-alone anxiety disorder

We wrap up with a reminder: anxiety and panic are not signs of weakness but signals from your body trying to protect you. With the right tools, support, and understanding, it’s possible to find calm even in the storm.