Table of Contents

Introduction: One More Thing to Worry About 9

Part 1 Understanding the Effect of Anxiety, Worry, and Fear

1 Is It Just Me? Anxiety Disorders, Panic Attacks, and Phobias 15

2 The Chicken Little Effect: Thought-Life, Hidden Assumptions, and Mistaken Beliefs 34

3 Life in a Vise: The Effect of Stress 51

4 More Harm than Good: The Effect of Self-Medicating Behaviors 61

5 Better You than Me: The Effect on Relationships 84

6 Never Mind: The Effect of Depression 95

7 Close Your Eyes, Plug Your Ears, and Sing La-La-La: The Effect of Paralysis 105

Part 2 Experiencing Relief from Anxiety, Worry, and Fear

8 Relief through Controlling the Volume: What to Turn Up and What to Turn Down 119

9 Relief through Refusing to Sweat: Say No to the Small Stuff 133

10 Relief through Learning to Relax: How to Work at Not Working 143

11 Relief through Exposure: Make Progress with Baby Steps 158

12 Relief through Being Proactive: Take Care of Business 171

13 Relief through Taking Charge of Your Health: Learn to Make Good Choices 188

14 Relief through Resetting the Stage: Write Your Own Script 200

15 Relief through Trust and Faith in God: Choose Where to Anchor 210

Notes 217