www.BeTreatedWell.com
FAQ: Anxiety
Questions about Anxiety:
What is Anxiety and how is it different than fear?
Why do I feel like I do when I am anxious?
What about the things I think when I am anxious?
How can I cope with my anxiety?
What are some things I may be doing that aren't helping?
Is there effective treatment for anxiety?
What is Anxiety and how is it different than fear?
Anxiety is an emotion that all humans experience. Anxiety is the clinical term for the cluster of physical
sensations associated with fear. Fear is a normal response to danger that is essential for survival in all
animals. However, too little or too much fear can have long-lasting negative consequences.
The purest and simplest expression of fear is the startle response which can be seen in infants. The startle
response and the body’s reaction to fear are perfectly normal and don’t need to be learned. Through learning,
the feeling of fear becomes associated with experiences. In this way anxiety comes to affect feelings, thoughts
and behaviors.
Why do I feel like I do when I am anxious?
The physical sensations of anxiety originate in the central nervous system. These sensations are all the result
of the body automatically readying itself for fight or flight (escape): muscles contract; breathing becomes
shallow; and senses become more acute. Most people aren’t aware of the muscle tension, shallow breathing
and hyper-vigilance that is part of our animal nature.
Complaints about anxiety symptoms usually identify secondary symptoms: muscle tension can lead to
trembling, shaking, and overall fatigue; shallow breathing can lead to feeling a choking or smothering sensation;
lack of oxygen to the brain can result in feeling dizzy, faint, lightheaded; and hyper-vigilance can cause insomnia
or disrupted sleep. Physical symptoms of nausea and chills or hot flashes can also be the secondary result of
the body reacting to anxiety.
What about the things I think when I am anxious?
Just as there are predictable or normal sensations associated with anxiety, there are predictable or typical
irrational beliefs about the symptoms. These irrational beliefs include: “I am going to lose control”; “I am going
to have a heart attack”; “I am going to go crazy”; and “I am going to die”.
Thinking logically and rationally is one step to managing anxiety. Knowing that the physical sensations and the
extreme thoughts are normal can help with recovery from anxiety.
How can I cope with my anxiety?
The skills for coping with anxiety are numerous, but must be personalized based on each person's symptoms.
Behavioral therapy is focused on attempts to counter the physical symptoms that are common when anxious:
practicing: relaxation and deep breathing and aerobic exercise or yoga; are ways to help the body return to a
non-anxious state.
Cognitive therapy is focused on attempts to change the thoughts that are common when anxious: questioning
and challenging automatic thoughts and visualization or self-hypnosis are techniques to help the mind return to
a non-anxious state. Many people find talking to a friend or writing in a journal helps them think more clearly
and/or get their mind off their anxiety.
What are some things I may be doing that aren't helping?
Facing fears and learning to tolerate anxiety is no easy task, and as a result many people avoid anxiety
provoking situations. Others may use drugs or alcohol as a way of self medicating. These coping skills may
bring short-term relief but no long-term solution and only reinforce the anxiety and the belief that these
behaviors are necessary. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Likewise, giving in to the idea "I am going crazy" or
"I can't control my breathing" will only sustain or worsen one’s anxiety.
Is there effective treatment for anxiety?
There is help available when anxiety becomes troubling. An evaluation by a trained professional will assess your
experience of anxiety and plan the optimal treatment approach for you. A combination of cognitive and
behavioral therapies will probably be recommended. Your treatment might also include therapy that involves
talking about your past as it relates to your anxiety and addressing any health conditions or personal
circumstances that may be impacting your symptoms.
FAQ: Anxiety
Questions about Anxiety:
What is Anxiety and how is it different than fear?
Why do I feel like I do when I am anxious?
What about the things I think when I am anxious?
How can I cope with my anxiety?
What are some things I may be doing that aren't helping?
Is there effective treatment for anxiety?
What is Anxiety and how is it different than fear?
Anxiety is an emotion that all humans experience. Anxiety is the clinical term for the cluster of physical
sensations associated with fear. Fear is a normal response to danger that is essential for survival in all
animals. However, too little or too much fear can have long-lasting negative consequences.
The purest and simplest expression of fear is the startle response which can be seen in infants. The startle
response and the body’s reaction to fear are perfectly normal and don’t need to be learned. Through learning,
the feeling of fear becomes associated with experiences. In this way anxiety comes to affect feelings, thoughts
and behaviors.
Why do I feel like I do when I am anxious?
The physical sensations of anxiety originate in the central nervous system. These sensations are all the result
of the body automatically readying itself for fight or flight (escape): muscles contract; breathing becomes
shallow; and senses become more acute. Most people aren’t aware of the muscle tension, shallow breathing
and hyper-vigilance that is part of our animal nature.
Complaints about anxiety symptoms usually identify secondary symptoms: muscle tension can lead to
trembling, shaking, and overall fatigue; shallow breathing can lead to feeling a choking or smothering sensation;
lack of oxygen to the brain can result in feeling dizzy, faint, lightheaded; and hyper-vigilance can cause insomnia
or disrupted sleep. Physical symptoms of nausea and chills or hot flashes can also be the secondary result of
the body reacting to anxiety.
What about the things I think when I am anxious?
Just as there are predictable or normal sensations associated with anxiety, there are predictable or typical
irrational beliefs about the symptoms. These irrational beliefs include: “I am going to lose control”; “I am going
to have a heart attack”; “I am going to go crazy”; and “I am going to die”.
Thinking logically and rationally is one step to managing anxiety. Knowing that the physical sensations and the
extreme thoughts are normal can help with recovery from anxiety.
How can I cope with my anxiety?
The skills for coping with anxiety are numerous, but must be personalized based on each person's symptoms.
Behavioral therapy is focused on attempts to counter the physical symptoms that are common when anxious:
practicing: relaxation and deep breathing and aerobic exercise or yoga; are ways to help the body return to a
non-anxious state.
Cognitive therapy is focused on attempts to change the thoughts that are common when anxious: questioning
and challenging automatic thoughts and visualization or self-hypnosis are techniques to help the mind return to
a non-anxious state. Many people find talking to a friend or writing in a journal helps them think more clearly
and/or get their mind off their anxiety.
What are some things I may be doing that aren't helping?
Facing fears and learning to tolerate anxiety is no easy task, and as a result many people avoid anxiety
provoking situations. Others may use drugs or alcohol as a way of self medicating. These coping skills may
bring short-term relief but no long-term solution and only reinforce the anxiety and the belief that these
behaviors are necessary. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Likewise, giving in to the idea "I am going crazy" or
"I can't control my breathing" will only sustain or worsen one’s anxiety.
Is there effective treatment for anxiety?
There is help available when anxiety becomes troubling. An evaluation by a trained professional will assess your
experience of anxiety and plan the optimal treatment approach for you. A combination of cognitive and
behavioral therapies will probably be recommended. Your treatment might also include therapy that involves
talking about your past as it relates to your anxiety and addressing any health conditions or personal
circumstances that may be impacting your symptoms.
Antonia Caretto, Ph.D., PLLC
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www.BeTreatedWell.com
phone: 248.553.9053
phone: 248.553.9053