Anxiety Connection

Our Anxiety Connection is where anxious people can come together for a sense of connection, understanding, and to get information on what causes anxiety and how to manage it. Host Wendy Leeds, a three-time cancer survivor and psychotherapist, shares her personal story of life-long anxiety, how she’s dealt with cancer, and found her way through her fear. As an experienced therapist, she shares the latest research, explores ways anxiety impacts our lives and offers simple, effective tools and techniques that you can use to ease your anxiety.

Our Anxiety Connection: Past, Present, and Future | Ep #65 08/13/2024

Why Therapy is Worth the Effort: Interview with Lucille Fisher | Ep #64 07/16/2024

Why Therapy is Worth the Effort: Interview with Lucille Fisher | Ep #64 Have you ever considered going to therapy but hesitated because you didn’t know what to expect? Join us as Lucille Fisher and I explore what it’s really like to go to therapy. We discuss why it’s important to find the right therapist and what you can expect from the therapeutic process – the challenges, the changes, and the potential life-changing benefits. SHOW NOTES My Friend Lucille Fisher is a wife, mother, grandmother, and business owner. Her company, Sage and Savvy Marketing, specializes in helping businesses and non-profits grow through savvy social media marketing and customer-focused website development. Contact: LinkedIn: WENDY’S RESOURCES RELATED TO EPISODE 64: WATCH: I have a module in my mini-course about how to decide whether or not professional help is right for you: How to Know if Therapy Is Right for You (Module 9 of 10) DOWNLOAD: I’ve prepared a checklist of criteria to help you in your decision along with a set of questions to ask in order to assess a therapist: When and How to Get Help.pdf READ: Chapter 10 of my book is about how to assess a therapist to make sure they are a good fit – including the questions to ask a therapist. The book is: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free LISTEN: Episode 53 of Anxiety Connection breaks down the stigma of seeking help for our mental health in today’s culture: Should I Go to Therapy? 8 Reasons to See a Therapist OTHER RESOURCES RELATED TO EPISODE 64: 1. What is Dysregulation? According to the Cleveland Clinic, “emotional dysregulation is a mental health symptom that involves trouble controlling your emotions and how you act on those feelings. To those around you, your emotions and reactions will seem out of proportion compared to what you’re reacting to… You can think about emotional regulation like volume control for your feelings. When you use the volume control for a device, you can keep it from being too loud. With emotional dysregulation, your brain can’t regulate emotion signals. In effect, your volume control doesn’t work like it should, making your emotions “louder” and harder to manage.” Cleveland Clinic, Emotional Dysregulation. Last reviewed. June 6, 2023. 2. To read more about how trauma affects the body I recommend: The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk. Look up: van der Kolk, Bessel. (2015). The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books. New York, New York. 3. To learn more about the vagus nerve and how it affects anxiety here are two resources The Polyvagal Theory by Stephen W. Porges. Look up: Porges, Stephen. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W W Norton & Co. New York, New York. And Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg. Look up: Rosenberg, Stanley.2017) Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism. North Atlantic Books. Berkely, California. 4. My favorite book on the therapeutic process is: The Gift of Therapy by Irvin D. Yalom. Look up: Yalom, Irvin, D. (2009) The Gift of Therapy: Reflections on being a Therapist. Harper Perennial. New York, New York. MORE RESOURCES FROM WENDY: PODCAST: Anxiety Connection, hosted by Wendy Leeds QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It BOOK: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community: EMAIL: My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so: FACEBOOK: INSTAGRAM: I have a lot of anxiety and panic-related videos on my YouTube page: YOUTUBE: © 2020 - 2024 Wendy Leeds /episode/index/show/anxietyconnection/id/32142567

Mapping Your Healing Journey | Ep #63 06/11/2024

Change Your Focus to Change Your Future | Ep #62 05/07/2024

The Cost of Anxiety: The Price We Pay for Being Anxious | Ep #61 04/02/2024

Anxiety Is an Inside Job | Ep #60 03/05/2024

Looking Up When Things Get You Down | Ep #59 02/06/2024

No Two Brains Are the Same (Your Anxiety Is Unique) | Ep #58 01/09/2024

The Holidays Don't Have to Be Stressful: 6 Gifts for the Season of Giving | Ep #57 12/12/2023

One Bulb at a Time: Understanding the Roots of Our Anxiety | Ep #56 11/14/2023

Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It | Ep #55 10/17/2023

Triggers and Glimmers: Where to Find Hope | Ep #54 09/19/2023

Should I Go to Therapy? 8 Reasons to See a Therapist | Ep #53 05/09/2023

The Power of Planning: The 4 Steps to Getting Unstuck | Ep #52 04/11/2023

Procrastination: 4 Simple Steps to Reduce Its Power Over You | Ep #51 03/14/2023

Getting to the Heart of Valentine’s Day | Ep #50 02/14/2023

Choose to Bloom: Even on Winter's Darkest Days | Ep #49 12/13/2022

Choose to Bloom: Even on Winter's Darkest Days | Ep #49 Do the short, cold days of winter leave you feeling exhausted and “blah?” Are you feeling paralyzed with sadness? If so, you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D. Please join me as I share my story of how a tiny surprise reminded me how to find light and color on even the “blah” days. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Subscribe to follow my progress on the new book: SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON: If you’re suffering or feeling overwhelmed by your fears, one of the most powerful things you can do is to reach out to a qualified, licensed mental health professional. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. And working with a good therapist can help you feel better almost immediately. According to a study by David Sack, MD, published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology “88 percent of therapy goers reported improvements after just one session.” If you’re not sure where to start, please talk to your health care provider. Also, here are three reputable websites that you can use to connect with a therapist in your area: American Psychological Association: Psychology Today: Anxiety and Depression Association of America: IMPORTANT: If you’re in crisis, especially if you are thinking of harming yourself or anyone else – please call for help NOW! CALL or TEXT 988 The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a U.S.-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It is founded and run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. ONLINE: OR CALL: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. MORE ANXIETY-RELATED RESOURCES: BOOK: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini-course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling. WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community. My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so. EMAIL: FACEBOOK: INSTAGRAM: © 2022 Wendy Leeds /episode/index/show/anxietyconnection/id/25282710

Dealing with Holiday Stress and Anxiety | Ep #48 11/15/2022

Dealing with Holiday Stress and Anxiety | Ep #48 If you’re dreading the holiday season this year, you’re not alone. The holidays are tough for so many of us. If you’re already feeling anxious and worried about how you’re going to get through the next few weeks, please join me in making 5 powerful commitments to help you meet the challenges ahead with a sense of peace and calm. LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Chapter 51 of my book is about how to manage difficult relationships that bring you stress & anxiety: Calm & Sense: A Woman's Guide to Living Anxiety-Free. More info here: SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON: If you’re suffering or feeling overwhelmed by your fears, one of the most powerful things you can do is to reach out to a qualified, licensed mental health professional. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. And working with a good therapist can help you feel better almost immediately. According to a study by David Sack, MD, published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology “88 percent of therapy goers reported improvements after just one session.” If you’re not sure where to start, please talk to your health care provider. Also, here are three reputable websites that you can use to connect with a therapist in your area: American Psychological Association: Psychology Today: Anxiety and Depression Association of America: IMPORTANT: If you’re thinking of harming yourself or anyone else please call for help NOW! Call 911 or the Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Visit: MORE ANXIETY-RELATED RESOURCES: QUIZ: Find Out the Cost of Your Anxiety DOWNLOAD: Four Techniques to "Panic-Proof" Your Life MINI-COURSE: Why You're Anxious & What to Do About It or use the coupon code “SUBSCRIBER” to get 40% off the mini-course. And if the cost is a burden to you in any way, just ask – I’ll grant you lifetime access for free. No catch. I just want to be helpful to anyone who’s struggling. WAYS TO CONNECT: I respond to every message I get, so please do reach out. I send infrequent emails and I love to get replies from the community. My Facebook page is active; Instagram less so. EMAIL: FACEBOOK: INSTAGRAM: /episode/index/show/anxietyconnection/id/24982476