Anxiety does not always work the same way
Anxiety is one of the most common psychological experiences—and one of the most misunderstood. Many people think anxiety is simply “feeling nervous”, when it can show up in very different forms with very different levels of interference in body and mind.
1. Anxiety as a specific difficulty (GAD and panic)
In generalised anxiety, the mind can feel as if it never switches off. The drive to anticipate problems can fuel constant muscle tension and sleep problems. In panic disorder, fear is not only about a situation—it can become fear of the panic itself: fear of losing control, fainting or “going crazy”, sometimes linked with avoidance of open spaces (agoraphobia).
2. Meta-worry: worrying about worrying
A common pattern in clinical work is fear of fear itself—“What if I never stop thinking?”, “Does this anxiety mean I’m losing my mind?”. When we become frightened of our own thoughts and harmless body sensations, we can amplify distress and feed the overthinking loop.
Beck and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT, shaped by Ellis and Beck, addresses rigid belief systems and biased thinking (“I must always be perfect”, “The world is dangerous and I can’t cope”).
The aim at Norton Psychology is not to erase anxiety entirely—which would be neither possible nor healthy—but to reduce the grip it has on your daily freedom through constructive cognitive work and, where appropriate, careful exposure-based steps.