Anxiety

Fear and its associated reactions (freeze, flight, fight) can be useful responses to a dangerous or threatening situation. However, clients suffering from anxiety disorders experience these reactions too strongly, too often, or in inappropriate situations - and they can be distressing and exhausting. Psychology Tools can help you with CBT for anxiety - our anxiety worksheets are designed to help clients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), health anxiety (hypochondriasis), panic disorder, phobias, and social anxiety. Read more

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100 of 218 resources

"Should" Statements

The “Should” Statements information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more e ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/should-statements

Information handouts

A Guide To Emotions (Psychology Tools For Living Well)

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help your clients to live happier and more fulfilling lives. Psychology Tools for Living Well is a self-help course ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/a-guide-to-emotions-psychology-tools-for-living-well

Books & Chapters

ABC Model

ABC is an acronym for Antecedents, Behavior, Consequences. It is used as a tool for the assessment and formulation of problem behaviors and is useful ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/abc-model

Worksheets

Am I Experiencing Death Anxiety?

Am I Experiencing Death Anxiety? is an indicative screening tool, designed to help clients self-assess whether their experiences might warrant further ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-death-anxiety

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by problematic worry. Am I Experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder? is an indicative ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Health Anxiety?

Health anxiety (also referred to as illness anxiety disorder and hypochondriasis) is a condition characterized by a preoccupation with, or fear about, ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-health-anxiety

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent fear or anxiety concerning social or performance situations that is out of proportion to the ac ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-social-anxiety

Exercises

Anxiety - Self-Monitoring Record

Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anxiety-self-monitoring-record

Worksheets

Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record (Archived)

NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the even ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anxiety-self-monitoring-record-archived

Archived

Approach Instead Of Avoiding (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses avoi ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/approach-instead-of-avoiding-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

Arbitrary Inference

The Arbitrary Inference information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more effec ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/arbitrary-inference

Information handouts

Assertive Communication

Communicating and acting assertively is an interpersonal skill that helps people to maintain healthy relationships, resolve interpersonal conflict, an ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-communication

Information handouts

Assertive Responses

Being able to communicate assertively is an essential skill for developing and maintaining healthy relationships and positive self-esteem. Individuals ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-responses

Exercises

Attention Training Experiment

Self-focused attention can make people less likely to see their social performance in a positive light, and contributes to the maintenance of social a ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/attention-training-experiment

Exercises

Attention Training Practice Record

When people struggle to control the focus of their attention, they find it much harder to interrupt cycles of worry, rumination, and other forms of se ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/attention-training-practice-record

Exercises

Audio Collection: Psychology Tools For Developing Self-Compassion

Psychology Tools For Developing Self-Compassion is an audio collection which guides clients through an empirically-supported programme of compassionat ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/psychology-tools-for-developing-self-compassion-audio-collection

Audio

Audio Collection: Psychology Tools For Mindfulness

The Psychology Tools For Mindfulness Audio Collection is the perfect way to introduce your clients to the practice of mindfulness. Developed by a clin ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/psychology-tools-for-mindfulness-audio-collection

Audio

Audio Collection: Psychology Tools For Relaxation

The Psychology Tools For Relaxation Audio Collection is designed to help anyone experiencing stress or heightened physiological arousal. The audio col ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/psychology-tools-for-relaxation-audio-collection

Audio

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) automatically regulates the function of body systems outside of voluntary control. The Autonomic Nervous System han ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/autonomic-nervous-system

Information handouts

Avoidance Hierarchy (Archived)

NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Fear Ladder. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the event that they are ava ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/avoidance-hierarchy

Archived

Balance

Our sense of balance is the result of a complex system which receives visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs. This Balance client information h ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/balance

Information handouts

Behavioral Experiment

Behavioral experiments are planned experiential activities to test the validity of a belief. They are one of the most powerful techniques available to ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment

Worksheets

Behavioral Experiment (Portrait Format)

Behavioral experiments allow individuals to test the validity of their beliefs and assumptions. They are a core experiential technique for therapeutic ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment-portrait-format

Worksheets

Behaviors In Panic (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses beha ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behaviors-in-panic-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

Being With Difficulty (Audio)

Being With Difficulty is a mindfulness exercise which gently brings present-moment awareness to bear upon thoughts and feelings that are more difficul ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/being-with-difficulty-audio

Audio

Body Scan (Audio)

The Body Scan is a mindfulness exercise encouraging present-moment awareness, with the sensations of the body being used as an anchor for mindful atte ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/body-scan-audio

Audio

Body Sensations In Panic (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses body ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/body-sensations-in-panic-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

Boundaries - Self-Monitoring Record

Worksheets

Breathing To Calm The Body Sensations Of Panic (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses the ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/breathing-to-calm-the-body-sensations-of-panic-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

Catching Your Thoughts (CYP)

Before thoughts can be examined or challenged they must be ‘caught’ – they must be noticed and distinguished from events and feelings. The Catch ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/catching-your-thoughts-cyp

Worksheets

CBT Appraisal Model

The CBT Appraisal Model worksheet is a transdiagnostic formulation tool. The centrality of appraisals underpins all of the disorder-specific cognitive ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cbt-appraisal-model

Worksheets

CFT Compassion Formulation

Within CFT, two methods are commonly used for understanding a client’s difficulties. The threat-focused formulation takes a longitudinal approa ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cft-compassion-formulation

Worksheets

Challenging Your Negative Thinking (Archived)

NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts. Older versions of a resource may be archived in ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/challenging-your-negative-thinking

Archived

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is a process by which stimuli become associated with responses. This information handout describes key principles of Classical ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/classical-conditioning

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Depersonalization (Hunter, Phillips, Chalder, Sierra, David, 2003)

Depersonalization is an experience where an individual feels a sense of detachment from themselves, or estrangement from their perceptions, actions, a ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-depersonalization-hunter-phillips-chalder-sierra-david-2003

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Fear Of Body Sensations

Fear of bodily sensations is present in a number of conditions, most notably panic disorder. The Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Fear Of Bodily Sensatio ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-fear-of-body-sensations

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD: Dugas, Gagnon, Ladouceur, Freeston, 1998)

Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) report significant worry which they find difficult to control and experience as distressing. Numer ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad-dugas-gagnon-ladouceur-freeston-1998

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Health Anxiety (Salkovskis, Warwick, Deale, 2003)

Health anxiety is characterized by a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, and a high level of anxiety about health. People with h ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-health-anxiety-salkovskis-warwick-deale-2003

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty (Hebert, Dugas, 2019)

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) has been defined as “an underlying fear of the unknown”. Intolerance of uncertainty is a risk factor for the deve ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-intolerance-of-uncertainty-hebert-dugas-2019

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Panic (Clark, 1986)

The Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Panic identifies catastrophic misinterpretation of body sensations as a criticial maintenance factor which serves to ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-panic-clark-1986

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model of Perfectionism (Shafran, Egan, Wade, 2010)

People with perfectionism pursue high standards in one or more areas of their life, and base their self-worth on their ability to achieve these standa ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-perfectionism-shafran-egan-wade-2010

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD: Whalley, Cane, 2017)

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a form of dizziness which is thought to be maintained by psychological factors. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-persistent-postural-perceptual-dizziness-pppd-whalley-cane-2017

Information handouts

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Social Phobia (Clark, Wells, 1995)

People suffering from social anxiety disorder (previously known as social phobia) experience persistent fear or anxiety concerning social or performan ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-social-phobia-clark-wells-1995

Information handouts

Combined Relaxation Exercise (Audio)

The Combined Relaxation Exercise is an audio track from the Psychology Tools For Relaxation Audio Collection. It is designed to help anyone experienci ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/combined-relaxation-exercise-audio

Audio

Compassionate Thought Challenging Record

Thought challenging records are commonly used in CBT to help people to evaluate their negative automatic thoughts for accuracy and bias. This Compassi ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/compassionate-thought-challenging-record

Worksheets

Coping With Body Sensations (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses inte ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/coping-with-body-sensations-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

Core Belief Magnet Metaphor

Core beliefs (schemas) are self-sustaining. They act to 'attract' confirmatory evidence and 'repel' (or distort) disconfirmatory evidence. This inform ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/core-belief-magnet-metaphor

Information handouts

Court Trial Thought Challenging Record (Archived)

NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Thought Record - Courtroom Trial. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the ev ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/court-trial-thought-challenging-record

Archived

Critical Care And PTSD

The Critical Care And PTSD information handout is designed to help clients to learn about the properties of critical care that can increase the likeli ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/critical-care-and-ptsd

Information handouts

Decatastrophizing

Catastrophic thinking (magnification) is characteristic of many anxiety problems. This CBT worksheet for decatastrophizing is a tool for cognitive res ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/decatastrophizing

Exercises

Developing Psychological Flexibility

Developing Psychological Flexibility is a client information handout which can be used to familiarize clients with the ACT model. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/developing-psychological-flexibility

Information handouts

Disqualifying The Positive

This Disqualifying the Positive information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists work more ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/disqualifying-the-positive

Information handouts

Embracing Uncertainty

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) was first described in individuals suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Many behaviors associated with G ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/embracing-uncertainty

Exercises

Emotional Reasoning

The Emotional Reasoning information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more effec ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emotional-reasoning

Information handouts

Emotions In Panic (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses the ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emotions-in-panic-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

Emotions Motivate Actions

Many clients find it helpful to recognize the range of actions that are motivated by different emotional states. This worksheet encourages clients to ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emotions-motivate-actions

Information handouts

Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts

The Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts guide is written for clients who struggle with negative automatic thoughts. It provides a comprehensive in ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/evaluating-unhelpful-automatic-thoughts

Guides

Exercise For Mental Health

Exercise is an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety and research suggests that, in the treatment of depression, exercise interventions ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exercise-for-mental-health

Information handouts

Exposure Practice Form

Exposure is an effective treatment for many forms of anxiety. The Exposure Practice Form is a CBT worksheet which guides therapists and clients throug ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-practice-form

Exercises

Exposure Session Record

The Exposure Session Record is a tool for recording clients’ use of exposure. The worksheet guides clients to identify a specific fear they are will ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-session-record

Worksheets

Exposures For Fear Of Appearing Anxious

Concerns about appearing anxious in front of others plays a central role in social anxiety. Exposure is an effective treatment for tackling these fear ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-appearing-anxious

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Body Sensations

Fearful responses to physical sensations are common in several disorders. Interoceptive exposure (or ‘symptom induction’) is an effective treatmen ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-body-sensations

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Breathlessness

Fearful responses to benign physical sensations such as breathlessness are common in several disorders, most notably panic disorder (with and without ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-breathlessness

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Causing Harm To Others

Many individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) struggle with thoughts relating to harming other people (such as their own children or stran ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-causing-harm-to-others

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Causing Harm To Yourself

Many individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) struggle with thoughts about harming themselves. Exposure is an effective treatment for thes ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-causing-harm-to-yourself

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Death

Fear of death is common, and is associated with a variety of psychological disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorde ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-death

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Flying

Fear of flying is a very common fear, affecting up to 18% of individuals, and is characterized by intense and persistent fear during, or in anticipati ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-flying

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Heights

Fear of heights is a very common fear, characterized by an avoidance of high places including staircases, tall buildings, and bridges. Exposure is an ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-heights

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Illness

Fear of illness is a common and persistent fear that can result in significant functional impairment. Exposure is an effective treatment for health-re ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-illness

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Losing Control Of Your Mind

Fearful responses to benign physical sensations are common in several disorders, and interoceptive exposure (or ‘symptom induction’) is an effecti ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-losing-control-of-your-mind

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Uncertainty

Fear of uncertainty is commonly associated with many psychological difficulties, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive di ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-uncertainty

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Vomiting

Fear of vomiting is a chronic and distressing difficulty that is associated with significant impairment. Exposure is an effective treatment for addres ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-vomiting

Information handouts

Exposures For Fear Of Weight Gain

Fears related to weight gain are common in eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Exposure is an effective treatment for fea ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-weight-gain

Information handouts

Exposures For Trauma

Avoidance is a common feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which exposure is an effective treatment. Clients sometimes find it diffic ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-trauma

Information handouts

Facing Your Fears (CYP)

Graded or graduated exposure is a traditional way of overcoming fears and phobias. The therapist helps the client to draw up a list of feared situatio ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/facing-your-fears-cyp

Exercises

Facing Your Fears And Phobias

The Facing Your Fears And Phobias guide is written for clients who struggle with fears or phobias. It provides comprehensive information about what fe ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/facing-your-fears-and-phobias

Guides

Fear Ladder

The Fear Ladder is a tool for exploring and ranking the contexts or situations in which a client experiences fear. It is designed to help the client a ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fear-ladder

Worksheets

Fight or Flight (CYP)

The Fight Or Flight (CYP) information handout has been specifically designed for younger children and includes carefully simplified language. The full ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fight-or-flight-cyp

Information handouts

Fight Or Flight Response

The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The perception of threa ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fight-or-flight-response

Information handouts

Grounding Statements (Audio)

Grounding techniques are used to help people to reorient themselves to the present moment and to safety. Grounding Statements are a form of cognitive ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-statements-audio

Audio

Grounding Techniques

Individuals who have experienced trama often find it difficult to stay within the 'window of tolerance'. Grounding techniques (which can be sensory/pe ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-techniques

Exercises

Grounding Techniques Menu

Dissociation can be described as a shift of a person’s attention away from the present moment. When working with traumatized clients, this shift oft ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-techniques-menu

Information handouts

Habituation

The Habituation information sheets are designed to help clinicians to explain the concept of habituation and its role in exposure therapy. The handout ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/habituation

Information handouts

Health Anxiety - Self-Monitoring Record

Worksheets

Health Anxiety Formulation

Information handouts

Health Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record (Archived)

NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Health Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record. Older versions of a resource may be archived in t ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/health-anxiety-self-monitoring-record-edition-1

Archived

Health Anxiety Thought Record

Individuals with health anxiety experience clinically significant distress associated with health concerns. This thought-challenging record enables cl ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/health-anxiety-thought-record

Worksheets

How Breathing Affects Feelings

Normal, anxious, and exercise breathing have significant effects upon our physiology and our emotions. This information handout explains the physiolog ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-breathing-affects-feelings

Information handouts

How Does This All Add Up To A Panic Attack? (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter discusses the ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-does-this-all-add-up-to-a-panic-attack-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

How Is Panic Disorder Different From A Panic Attack? (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter disambiguates ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-is-panic-disorder-different-from-a-panic-attack-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

How Much Do You Know About Panic? (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter includes a qui ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-much-do-you-know-about-panic-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

How Your Body Responds To Stress

Many clients identify with the concept of ‘stress’ more readily than ‘threat’ and the The How Your Body Responds To Stress information handou ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-your-body-responds-to-stress

Information handouts

Identifying The Meaning Of Body Sensations

Some anxiety disorders (including panic and health anxiety), are concerned with body sensations and symptoms. The Identifying The Meaning Of Body Sens ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/identifying-the-meaning-of-body-sensations

Worksheets

Interoceptive Exposure

Misappraisals of body sensations trigger emotional and physiological reactions of fear and heightened arousal. These feelings motivate behavioral resp ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/interoceptive-exposure

Exercises

Interpersonal Beliefs And Styles

Interpersonal issues and relationship problems form an important part of what clients bring to therapy: they might present as clients’ current conce ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/interpersonal-beliefs-and-styles

Worksheets

Intolerance Of Uncertainty

Uncertainty is a normal part of life – we can never be 100% sure about what will happen next. Many people feel good about uncertainty and live lives ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intolerance-of-uncertainty

Information handouts

Introduction To CBT (Psychology Tools For Overcoming Panic)

Psychology Tools for Overcoming Panic takes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to this common anxiety problem. This chapter includes a bri ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/introduction-to-cbt-psychology-tools-for-overcoming-panic

Books & Chapters

Intrusive Memory Record

Intrusive (unwanted, involuntary) memories are a common feature of PTSD, but also depression and other conditions. This Intrusive Memory Record is des ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intrusive-memory-record

Worksheets

Jumping To Conclusions

The Jumping to Conclusions information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more ef ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/jumping-to-conclusions

Information handouts

Learning To Relax (CYP)

Stress and tension are prevalent complaints amongst children and young people. Teaching relaxation exercises can engender a beneficial sense of contro ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/learning-to-relax-cyp

Exercises

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Assessment

Brief Fear Of Negative Evaluation Scale | Leary | 1983
- Scale download archived copy
Fear Questionnaire (FQ) (Phobia) | Marks, Matthews | 1979
- Scale ~~download~~ archived copy
- Marks, I. M., & Mathews, A. M. (1979). Brief standard self-rating for phobic patients. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 17(3), 263-267.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) | Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, Lowe | 2006
- Scale download
- Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Lowe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder. Arch Inern Med. 2006;166:1092-1097.
Hamilton Rating Scale For Anxiety (HAM-A) | Hamilton | 1959
- Scale ~~download~~ archived copy
- Hamilton, M. (1959).The assessment of anxiety states by rating. British Journal of Medical Psychology 32, 50-55.
Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) | Salkovskis, Rimes, Warwick, Clark | 2002
- Scale download
- Salkovskis, P. M., Rimes, K. A., Warwick, H. M. C., & Clark, D. M. (2002). The Health Anxiety Inventory: development and validation of scales for the measurement of health anxiety and hypochondriasis. Psychological Medicine, 32(05), 843-853.
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS-SR) | Liebowitz | 1987
- Scale download archived copy
Mobility Inventory For Agoraphobia (MIA) | Chambless, Caputo, Jasin, Gracely, Williams | 1985
- Scale ~~download~~ archived copy
- Chambless, D. L., Caputo, G. C., Jasin, S. E., Gracely, E. J., & Williams, C. (1985). The mobility inventory for agoraphobia. Behaviour research and therapy, 23(1), 35-44.
Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) | Shear, Brown, Barlow, Money, Sholomskas, Woods, Gorman, Papp | 1997
- Scale ~~download~~ archived copy
- Shear, M. K., Brown, T. A., Barlow, D. H., Money, R., Sholomskas, D. E., Woods, S. W., … & Papp, L. A. (1997). Multicenter collaborative panic disorder severity scale. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154(11), 1571-1575.
Penn State Worry Questionnaire | Meyer, Miller, Metzger, Borkovec | 1990
- Scale ~~download~~ archive.org
- Meyer, T. J., Miller, M. L., Metzger, R. L., & Borkovec, T. D. (1990). Development and validation of the penn state worry questionnaire. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28(6), 487-495.
Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale | Spence | 1998
- Scale download archived copy
- Scale website link archived copy
- Spence, S. H. (1998). A measure of anxiety symptoms among children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36 (5), 545-566.
Severity Measure For Agoraphobia | Craske, Wittchen, Bogels, Stein, Andrews, Lebu | 2013
- Scale – Adult download archived copy
Severity Measure For Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Craske, Wittchen, Bogels, Stein, Andrews, Lebeu | 2013
- Scale – Adult download archived copy
- Scale – Child Age 11-17 download archived copy
Severity Measure For Panic Disorder | Craske, Wittchen, Bogels, Stein, Andrews, Lebeu | 2013
- Scale – Adult download archived copy
Severity Measure For Social Anxiety Disorder | Craske, Wittchen, Bogels, Stein, Andrews, Lebeu | 2013
- Scale – Adult download archived copy
- Scale – Child Age 11-17 download archived copy
Severity Measure For Specific Phobia | Craske, Wittchen, Bogels, Stein, Andrews, Lebeu | 2013
- Scale – Adult download archived copy
- Scale – Child Age 11-17 download archived copy
Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) | Connor, Davidson, Churchill, Sherwood, Weisler, Foa | 2000
- Scale download archived copy
Social Phobia Scale | Mattick, Clarke | 1995
- Scale download archived copy

Intervention

Treatment guidelines

NICE guidelines for GAD and panic | 2011 download
NICE guidelines for social anxiety disorder | 2013 download

Treatment manuals

Comprehensive cognitive behavior therapy for social phobia: a treatment manual | Ledley, Foa, Huppert, Clark | 2006 download
Treatment manual for panic disorder (IAPT treatment manual for high intensity CBT therapists) | Clark, Salkovskis | 2009 ~~download~~ archived copy
A brief cognitive-behavioural treatment for social anxiety disorder | Morris, Mensink, Stewart ~~download~~ archived copy

Useful resources

Assertive defense of the self | Padesky | 1985 ~~download~~ archived copy
Interoceptive exposure definition | White, Basden, Barlow ~~download~~ archived copy
Task concentration training definition | Bögels download archived copy
Task concentration training and fear of blushing | Bögels, Mulkens, De Jong | 1997 ~~download~~ archived copy

Information Handouts

Generalized anxiety and mindfulness

What is generalised anxiety disorder? download archived copy
What is mindfulness? download archived copy
Mindfulness and letting go download archived copy
How worry works download archived copy
Accepting uncertainty download archived copy
Postpone your worry download archived copy
Coping with stress download archived copy

Health anxiety

Health anxiety – a self-help guide ~~download~~ archived copy

Panic

What is panic? download
Biology & Psychology of Panic download
Vicious Cycle of Anxiety download
Progressive Muscle Relaxation download
Behavioural Experiments download
Situational Exposure download
Physical Sensations and Panic download

Panic

Panic self-help booklet by | Charles Young, Alison Hunte, Jessica Newell, Pat Valian | 2011 ~~download~~ archived copy
Panic self-help booklet from Glasgow STEPS including information about panic and self-help interventions ~~download~~ archived copy

Phobia

Phobia self-help booklet from Glasgow STEPS including information about phobia and self-help interventions ~~download~~ archived copy

Social anxiety

What is social anxiety? download
What can be done about social anxiety? download
Calming technique: breathing download
Progressive muscle relaxation download
Improving how you feel download
Thinking and feeling download
Analysing your thinking download
Changing your thinking download
Unhelpful thinking styles download
What are core beliefs? download
Situational exposure download
Staying healthy download

Social anxiety

‘Shyness and social anxiety – a self help guide’ ~~download~~ archived copy

Worksheets

Generalized anxiety and mindfulness

Postpone your worry download
Letting go with mindfulness download
Accepting uncertainty download
Challenging intolerance of uncertainty download

Panic

Breathing Rate Record download
Anxiety Symptoms Record download
Monitoring Relaxation download
Situational Exposure Diary download
Internal Exposure Record download

Social anxiety

Anxiety symptoms record download
Breathing rate record download
Monitoring your relaxation level download
Weekly activity schedule download
Weekly goals record download
Making the connection download
Thought diary 1 download
Thought diary 2 download
Thought diary 3 download
Thought diaries (Tri-fold) download
Core beliefs worksheet download
Situational exposure download
Situational exposure diary download
Healthy me download
Goal setting download

Self-Help Programmes

Self-help programme for anxiety

Introduction to the pack ~~download~~ archived copy
Introduction to anxiety ~~download~~ archived copy
Physical effects of anxiety ~~download~~ download
Recognizing anxious thinking ~~download~~ archived copy
Dealing with our anxious thinking ~~download~~ archived copy
Effects of anxiety on mood and behavior ~~download~~ archived copy
Dealing with setbacks and final thoughts ~~download~~ archived copy

Self-help programme for generalized anxiety and mindfulness

Overview of generalised anxiety download
Overview of worrying download
Challenging uncontrollability beliefs download
Attention training download
Challenging danger beliefs download
Challenging positive beliefs download
Problem solving download
Helpful thinking download
Accepting uncertainty download
Self-management plan download

Self-help programme for health anxiety

Understanding health anxiety download
How health anxiety develops download
What keeps health anxiety going? download
Reducing your focus on health anxiety symptoms and worries download
Re-evaluating unhelpful health-related thinking download
Reducing checking and reassurance seeking download
Challenging avoidance and safety behaviors download
Adjusting health rules and assumptions download
Healthy living and self-management planning download

Self-help programme for panic

Overview of panic download
More about panic download
The thinking-feeling connection download
The ABC’s of thinking and feeling download
Unhelpful thinking styles download
Detective work and disputation download
Evaluation and balanced thinking download
Core beliefs download
Coping with physical alarms – Exposure part 1 download
Coping with physical alarms – Exposure part 2 download
Self management download

Self-help programme for social anxiety

Understanding social anxiety download archived copy
Overcoming negative thinking download archived copy
Overcoming avoidance download archived copy
Behavioral experiment stepladders download archived copy
Safety behaviors download archived copy
The role of attention download archived copy
How I think I appear to others download archived copy
Challenging core beliefs download archived copy
Strengthening new core beliefs download archived copy
Maintaining your goals and dealing with setbacks download archived copy

Overview of social anxiety ~~download~~ archived copy
The calming technique: breathing ~~download~~ archived copy
Progressive muscle relaxation ~~download~~ archived copy
The thinking-feeling connection ~~download~~ archived copy
The ABCs of thinking and feeling ~~download~~ archived copy
Unhelpful thinking styles ~~download~~ archived copy
Detective work and disputation ~~download~~ archived copy
The end result ~~download~~ archived copy
Core beliefs ~~download~~ archived copy
Graded exposure 1 ~~download~~ archived copy
Graded exposure 2 ~~download~~ archived copy
Self management ~~download~~ archived copy

Presentations

New developments in exposure therapy for anxiety and related disorders: the inhibitory learning approach | Blakey, Abramowitz | 2018 download archived copy
Desirable difficulties: optimizing exposure therapy for anxiety through inhibitory learning | Abramowitz, Jacoby, Blakey | 2018 download archived copy
GAD – a cognitive model and treatment download archived copy
Bringing Specificity to Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Conceptualization and Treatment of GAD using Intolerance of Uncertainty as the Theme of Threat | Robichaud | 2013 download archived copy

What Is Anxiety?

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Different anxiety disorders are characterized by various foci of concern.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worry about hypothetical future events.
Health anxiety is characterized by concern about one’s health or illness.
Panic attacks are characterized by an abrupt surge or intense fear.
Specific phobia is characterized by the ability for a specific object or situation to provoke marked fear or anxiety.
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a fear of social situations in which the individual may be exposed to possible scrutiny.

In addition to disorder-specific cognitive content, individuals experiencing anxiety disorders are likely to experience physical symptoms of anxiety including:

palpitations or accelerated heart rate
sweating
trembling or shaking
dry mouth
difficulty breathing
a feeling of choking
nausea or abdominal discomfort
dizziness
derealization or depersonalization
fear of losing control or passing out
fear of dying
hot flushes or cold chills
numbness or tingling
blushing
fear of vomiting
urgency or fear of urination or defecation

Psychological Models and Theories of Anxiety

One broad conceptualization of anxiety can be summarized by an ‘anxiety equation’ (Beck, Emery, & Greenberg, 1985; Salkovskis, Forrester, & Richards, 1998):

Anxiety = (perceived probability of therapy × perceived cost or awfulness of danger)

÷ (perceived ability to cope + perceived ‘rescue factors’)

Disorder-specific ‘CBT for anxiety’ cognitive models have been developed for all of the anxiety disorders. These are helpful in that they direct the therapist’s attention toward key interpretations and behaviors that act to perpetuate the anxiety disorders. For example, the critical mechanism that Clark identified in the cognitive model of panic (1986) is that body sensations are misinterpreted catastrophically as signs of danger, with concomitant effects upon emotions, behavior, and secondary cognitions.

Evidence-Based Psychological Approaches for Working with Anxiety

Cognitive behavior therapy has a strong evidence base for treating all of the anxiety disorders. Key components of CBT for anxiety interventions include exposure to the feared situations or stimulus, and an experimental approach to test the accuracy of beliefs.

Resources for Working with Anxiety

Psychology Tools resources available for working therapeutically with anxiety may include:

psychological models of anxiety
information handouts for anxious patients
exercises for anxiety
CBT worksheets for anxiety
self-help programs for anxiety including a guide to overcoming panic attacks and panic disorder

References

Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. L. (1985). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. New York: Basic Books.
Clark, D. M. (1986). A cognitive approach to panic. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 24(4), 461–470.
Salkovskis, P. M., Forrester, E., & Richards, C. (1998). Cognitive–behavioral approach to understanding obsessional thinking. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 173(S35), 53–63.

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What Is Anxiety?

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Resources for Working with Anxiety

References