There are many kinds of anxiety, but all can be divided into two broad categories: appropriate and inappropriate. Freud defined inappropriate anxiety as the fear that is triggered by a real or perceived danger. While appropriate anxiety can be more specific and prone to sudden changes, it cannot be attributed to an immediate threat.

Anxiety and DBT

There are many methods that can be used to help sufferers manage their anxiety. However, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), has been proven to be the most effective. DBT is a combination of cognitive therapy and mindfulness principles from the eastern Buddhist traditions.

The fundamental idea behind DBT is that anxiety management cannot be learned without being aware of your environment, your mind, and your emotions at the moment. There are 3 parts or skills involved in practicing mindfulness: Observe, Describe and Participate.

When to Use the Skills

If you are trying to practice mindfulness in your daily life, you will begin to become aware of how often you experience anxiety and what triggers anxiety. This is a process and it will take some time before you are able to identify anxiety in its early stages, but start by taking note of anybody sensations associated with anxiety in your body.

As you mindfully go about your daily activities, check-in with yourself from time to time to see if you are feeling anything in your body that leads you to believe you might be getting anxious. As soon as you think your anxiety level is rising, take a moment to stop what you're doing and use the Observe, Describe and Participate skills.