Source: # Is it true that anxiety is just overthinking; pull yourself together? *From the book – Chapter 8: Anxiety Disorders* ## The fact Anxiety disorders involve real changes in brain circuits, stress systems, and body responses. Willpower alone is usually not enough. ## Myths Myth 1: "Anxiety is just overthinking; pull yourself together." Fact: anxiety disorders involve real changes in brain circuits, stress systems, and body responses. Willpower alone is usually not enough. Myth 2: "Medicines for anxiety are always addictive." Fact: benzodiazepines can be habit-forming if misused; many first-line medicines (SSRIs, SNRIs) are not addictive when used as prescribed. Myth 3: "Avoiding feared situations is the best way to stay safe." Fact: avoidance reduces anxiety briefly but strengthens fear. Gradual, supported exposure is more effective in the long run. Myth 4: "Only weak people get anxiety disorders." Fact: they can affect anyone. Seeking help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. [Read the full chapter – Chapter 8: Anxiety Disorders](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/chapter/8/) ## Stories from real life - [The Night My Heart Raced](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-night-my-heart-raced-28/) – Arjun, twenty-nine, was in a crowded Mumbai local train when his heart suddenly pounded, his hands tingled, his chest tightened and he felt sure he was… - [What If Tonight Goes Wrong?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/what-if-tonight-goes-wrong-29/) – Meera is a forty-two-year-old mother in Hyderabad who cannot remember the last day she did not worry. What if her son fails? What if her husband's… - [The Back Row](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-back-row-30/) – Tomás, nineteen, studies engineering in Lisbon. He is clever, but he sits at the back of every class, never asks a question and hurries out. Eating… - [The Lizard on the Wall](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-lizard-on-the-wall-31/) – Sunita, thirty-eight, lives in a village near Nashik and cares for her family with great energy, except when a lizard appears. Last month one dropped near… ## Shloks - [Bhagavad Gita 6.34](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/shloka/bhagavad-gita-6-34-19/) – The mind is restless, agitating, strong and stubborn. To hold it, I think, is as hard as to hold the wind. More on this topic: [Anxiety, panic attacks and fear – signs, causes and what helps](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/topic/anxiety/) ## More questions - [Is it true that medicines for anxiety are always addictive?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-medicines-for-anxiety-are-always-addictive/) - [Is it true that avoiding feared situations is the best way to stay safe?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-avoiding-feared-situations-is-the-best-way-to-stay-safe/) - [Is it true that only weak people get anxiety disorders?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-only-weak-people-get-anxiety-disorders/) - [What is true: generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterised by…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-generalised-anxiety-disorder-gad-is-characterised-by/) - [Which is NOT a common symptom of panic attacks?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/which-is-not-a-common-symptom-of-panic-attacks/) - [What is true: first-line treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-first-line-treatment-for-anxiety-disorders-typically-includes/) - [What is true: social Anxiety Disorder involves intense fear of…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-social-anxiety-disorder-involves-intense-fear-of/) - [What is true: specific phobias are…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-specific-phobias-are/) - [What does Bhagavad Gita 6.34 mean for the mind?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/meaning-bhagavad-gita-6-34/) - [The Night My Heart Raced – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/story-the-night-my-heart-raced/) - [How to calm anxiety – simple techniques for daily life](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/how-to-calm-anxiety/) - [Is it normal worry or an anxiety disorder?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/normal-worry-or-anxiety-disorder/) [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [Contact](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/contact/) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/) --- *Psychology for Everyone – A Mental Well Being Series* by Satish Zope · free to read · Contact: [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/)