Panic is a form of an anxiety attack usually stemming from an issue causing an individual distress. Usually someone with panic will begin to stay close to home and overly monitor their internal processes such as heart-rate or breathing. While medication can help, usually managing anxiety includes learning not to be afraid of the panic attacks, developing calming strategies, and refusing to build up safety zones. Using CBT for panic disorders focuses on managing your fears and gradually changing the way someone thinks.

Phobias are extreme fears, to specific situations, events, or objects including, but not limited to performing socially, meeting strangers, or being exposed to certain animals. If a phobia exists, usually the person tries to avoid the trigger, or if avoidance can’t be accomplished, there is strong anxiety in anticipation of the trigger. Using CBT for phobias focuses on exposing yourself to the specific phobia(s) and can vary from person to person.

Generalized Anxiety is usually characterized by chronic and hard-to-control worrisome thoughts, tension in the muscles, stomach problems, tingly in the hands or feet, irritability, problems with sleep, and feelings of heightened emotions. Using CBT for generalized anxiety focuses on changing the believability of the worrisome ideas, learning to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, and facing the fearful ideas head-on.