Why does your anxiety feel so strong, so persistent, and so much bigger than the things happening in your life?

In today’s episode, Jessica breaks down the real reason anxiety feels overwhelming — and it’s not because you’re dramatic, broken, or “overreacting.”

Episode Summary

You’ll learn how anxiety’s one job — protecting you from supposed threats — explains overthinking, spiraling, tension, and those moments where your mind jumps to the worst-case scenario instantly.

Jessica shares personal examples straight from her week (“spending too much money,” “looking stupid,” “forgetting to pay my bills,” “hitting a pedestrian in the dark,” and more) to show how anxiety reacts to anything it perceives as dangerous, whether it’s logical or not.

This episode will help you understand your anxiety more clearly, reduce the shame and self-blame you’ve been carrying, and start relating to your anxiety with compassion instead of fear.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• Why anxiety feels so intense and persistent for so many people
• What anxiety thinks its “job” is — and why that makes it react so strongly
• How your biology, modern life, and learned messages shape your anxiety
• Why anxious threats don’t have to be real to feel real in your body
• How to start identifying what your anxiety is trying to protect you from
• The key mindset shift that immediately softens self-blame and confusion

Key Quotes

“There is a perfectly good reason anxiety is doing this — and it makes complete sense. Anxiety thinks it’s protecting you.”

“What is the threat anxiety sees? What is this anxiety trying to protect me from?”

“This isn’t you. This isn’t who you are as a person. It’s not your fault. You’re not making this happen — this is a process happening in you.”

Main Takeaway

Your anxiety feels so intense because it’s doing the only job it knows how to do: spot potential threats and keep you safe.

The problem is that anxiety reacts to imagined, exaggerated, or future-based threats just as strongly as real ones.

When you understand this, anxiety becomes less mysterious, less shame-inducing, and less overwhelming — and you can finally work with it instead of fighting yourself.

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for anyone who:

• Feels like their anxiety is “too much” or “doesn’t match the situation”
• Blames themselves for not being “logical” enough when anxious
• Wants to understand why their anxiety feels big and persistent
• Has been searching for answers that feel validating instead of dismissive
• Wants a grounded, compassionate explanation for what’s happening inside them

Connect with Jessica Richards

Instagram: @jessica_richards_counseling

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Enjoyed the Episode?

If this episode helped you feel seen, understood, or less alone, it would mean so much if you followed the show and left a review. It helps others who struggle with anxiety find this kind of support too.

*Disclaimer* This show is for information and inspiration. It is not professional mental health counseling or medical advice. If you're struggling, please reach out to a mental health or medical professional.

Topics Covered in This Episode

• why anxiety is so intense
• anxiety protection response
• anxious overthinking
• threat response system
• nervous system anxiety
• chronic anxiety patterns
• why anxiety spirals
• anxiety feels disproportionate