From work and finances to relationships and health, there’s no shortage of things to worry about. Almost one-third of US adults will experience an anxiety disorder over the course of their lives, making anxiety the most common mental health condition.
Despite the prevalence of anxiety, we often don’t take time to understand and explore what it actually is. By reflecting on the nature, purpose, and challenges of anxiety, we can develop a more productive relationship with it.
Our Exploring Anxiety worksheet encourages this deeper dive into the experience of anxiety. With an emphasis on sparking discussion, the worksheet poses questions on the following anxiety-related themes:
- Physical and mental symptoms
- Triggers, coping strategies, and potential benefits
- Mindset and values
- Decision-making and avoidance
This resource is ideal for individuals and groups for whom anxiety is an issue of concern. The questions on the worksheet pair especially well with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Introduce the worksheet in session to prompt discussion, or assign one or more of the questions as homework. To wrap up, ask clients what they learned from the exercise and how this changes their relationship with anxiety.
