Anxiety often stems from an overactive amygdala—the part of your brain that triggers fear. When it misfires, it can create irrational fears and heightened stress, even when there’s no real threat.

Understand Your Brain’s Alarm System

Dr. Marks outlines five anxiety categories: <ul><li>generalized anxiety</li><li>panic disorder</li><li> social anxiety</li><li>phobias</li><li> health anxiety</li></ul>Identifying which one(s) affect you is key to managing symptoms effectively.

The 5 Types of Anxiety

Unprocessed trauma—especially from childhood—can wire your nervous system to remain on high alert, even in safe situations. Recognizing this connection opens the door to healing.

Trauma’s Lingering Echo

The past doesn’t just live in your memory; it lives in your nervous system.

Telling yourself to “calm down” rarely works. Anxiety isn’t about logic—it’s about survival instincts. Real change comes from addressing the nervous system, not just your thoughts.

Why You Can’t Just ‘Think Positive’

Your physical habits—like diet, exercise, and sleep—directly impact your anxiety levels. Small lifestyle changes can create big mental health shifts.

Mind-Body Connection is Crucial

Avoiding what makes you anxious may feel like relief, but it actually reinforces fear. Exposure and small wins are essential for retraining your brain.

Break the Avoidance Cycle

“Calm isn’t a switch—it’s a skill you practice.”

“You can be healing and hurting at the same time—and that’s still progress.”

Chronic stress floods the body with cortisol, which can impair memory, sleep, and even physical health. Understanding this biological link helps reduce shame around anxious thoughts.

The Role of Cortisol in Anxiety

”We treat anxiety most effectively when we treat the whole person—not just the mind.”

“Anxiety isn’t a personality flaw—it’s your brain and body reacting to perceived danger, real or not.”

Tools like 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, deep breathing, and body scans calm the nervous system in moments of distress. Consistent practice makes them more effective over time.

Use Grounding Techniques Daily

If anxiety is interfering with your daily life, relationships, or health, it’s time to seek professional support. Therapy, medication, or both can help restore balance.

When to Seek Help

Progress isn’t a straight line. You may relapse or feel stuck, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing. Compassion and persistence are key.

Healing is Not Linear

Why Am I So Anxious? by psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks explores the root causes of anxiety and offers science-based strategies for managing and healing from it. Through relatable explanations and practical tools, this book empowers readers to take back control of their mental well-being.

A practical guide from respected therapist and popular YouTube star Dr. Tracey Marks that will help readers recognize the common signs and symptoms of anxiety and anxiety-related mood disorders, and then help them develop coping skills using self-guided solutions or help them decide on other treatment options. Take control of your anxiety and take back your life! Anxiety seems to be everywhere in today's world. But how do you know if you're experiencing anxiety, or something else? And what can you do to fix it? Renowned therapist and YouTube star Dr. Tracey Marks is known for her friendly, relatable style that helps followers of her YouTube channel recogize what's bothering them and then guides them to practical solutions that will help them manage their mental health issues. In Why Am I So Anxious?, Dr. Marks' will help you understand many of the most common sources of anxiety, help you identify what type of anxiety you may be experiencing, and give you helpful insight on how you can self-manage your anxiety before deciding if additional treatment options are the best choice. You don't need to let anxiety control your life! Here's what you'll find inside: - Detailed explanations for many of the most common anxiety disorders people struggle with in today's times, all written in Dr. Marks' soothing and relatable style - Tips for managing mild to moderate anxiety, with recommendations that go beyond just therapy and medication and help eader decide what treatment option is best for them - Helpful guidance for recognizing and preventing situations where anxiety may be triggered - Simple exercises that will help readers recognize their symptoms and triggers, so they can better manage their anxiety

DR. TRACEY MARKS

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Introduction