Worry Diary (Archived)

A structured worksheet designed to help clients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) monitor patterns of anxiety and distinguish between real and hypothetical worries.

Download or send

Language

Full resource pack (PDF)

Everything you could need: a PDF of the resource, therapist instructions, and description with theoretical context and references. Where appropriate, case examples and annotations are also included.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Fillable version (PDF)

A fillable version of the resource. This can be edited and saved in Adobe Acrobat, or other PDF editing software.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Editable version (DOC)

An editable Microsoft Word version of the resource.

Overview

In the initial stages of treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) it is helpful to orient clients to observing their worries as a process rather than focus on their content. The Worry Diary (Archived) is a worksheet designed to assist clinicians and their clients in this task.

Why Use This Resource?

Monitoring worry can be used as both an assessment tool and an intervention:

Fosters insight into the process and content of worry.
Supports psychological distancing and decentring.
Helps distinguish real and hypothetical worries.
Provides data to inform case formulation and intervention planning.

Key Benefits

Awareness

Increases client awareness of worry.

Insight

Helps clients distinguish between different 'types' of worry.

Collaboration

Supports client-therapist collaboration in addressing worry.

Tracking

Helps track progress over time.

Who is this for?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Helps identify broad or diffuse worries.

Health Anxiety

Documents health-related worries and their triggers.

Other Difficulties

Other difficulties where worry is a feature, such as perfectionism and social anxiety.

Integrating it into your practice

Identify

Begin by identifying the specific target for self-monitoring.

Discriminate

Teach clients to identify and pay attention to triggers, contexts, and content of worry.

Categorize

Help clients classify worries as real or hypothetical.

Record

Instruct clients to document their worries during or immediately after an episode.

Review

Regularly review self-monitoring records to gather more data or monitor change.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Excessive worry is the primary symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Borkovec, Robinson, Pruzinsky and DePree (1983) gave an oft-cited definition: “Worry is a chain of thought and images, negatively affect-laden and relatively uncontrollable. It represents an attempt to engage in mental problem-solving on an issue whose outcome is uncertain but contains the possibility of one or more negative outcomes. Consequently, worry relates closely to the fear process.”

In the initial stages of treatment for GAD it is helpful to orient clients to observing their worries as a process rather than focus on their content. It is important that clients understand the difference between real event worry (worry about actual events happening now) and hypothetical worry (worry about events that might happen in the future). It is also important that clients understand how worries can ‘chain’ together - they might start off worrying about an actual problem but end up worrying about hypothetical (any often low probability) scenarios. The Worry Diary is a worksheet designed to assist clinicians and their clients in this task.

What's inside

An introduction to worry and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Guidance for helping clients use the resource.
Key references and recommendations for learning more about worry.

Get access to this resource

FAQs

To enhance awareness and understanding of worry, including key triggers, worry content, and types of worry.

Clients should be encouraged to record worries consistently, either during or immediately after worry episodes.

Explore potential barriers such as a lack of understanding, insufficient practice, or environmental interferences.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By systematically tracking worry patterns, this tool helps:

Increase client awareness and insight.
Clarify worry triggers and content.
Distinguish between types of worries.
Promote engagement and collaboration in therapy.

References And Further Reading

Borkovec, T.D., Robinson, E., Pruzinsky, T. & DePree, J.A. (1983). Preliminary exploration of worry: Some characteristics and processes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 21, 9-16.

Dugas, M. J., & Robichaud, M. (2007). Cognitive behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. Routledge.

Wilkinson, A., Meares, K., & Freeston, M. (2011). CBT for worry & generalised anxiety disorder. Sage.

A Guide To Emotions