The escalating pattern where anxiety feeds on itself, creating a downward spiral.
A worry or fear activates the anxiety system
Physical symptoms increase anxiety about the anxiety
Mind generates worst-case scenarios
Attempts to escape the feeling through avoidance
Brief respite that reinforces the cycle
Easiest point to intervene
Body-based interventions most effective
Critical to prevent reinforcement
Breaking the cycle requires intervention at any phase
Nonverbal signals that may appear during this state