Anxiety Management Glossary

A clinical condition where anxiety is persistent, disproportionate to the situation, and significantly interferes with daily functioning. Includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobias.

A cognitive distortion where a person imagines the worst possible outcome and treats it as likely or inevitable, often through a chain of escalating fears.

A structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that addresses the interconnection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to treat anxiety, depression, and other conditions.

A habitual error in thinking that distorts perception of reality and typically reinforces negative emotional states like anxiety or depression.

The body's automatic physiological reaction to perceived danger, triggered by the sympathetic nervous system, producing rapid heart rate, sweating, and heightened alertness.

A sensory-based strategy that redirects attention from anxious thoughts to the present physical environment, interrupting thought spirals.

The natural process by which the brain's anxiety response decreases after repeated, prolonged exposure to a feared stimulus that turns out not to be dangerous.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for 'rest and digest' functions, including slowing heart rate and promoting calm after a stress response.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body for action in response to perceived threats.

A structured CBT worksheet for documenting and analyzing automatic thoughts, examining evidence, and developing balanced alternatives.