any obvious trigger. Panic attacks are discussed in more detail later in this chapter.
To summarize, fear is an emotional reaction to an immediate danger, whereas anxiety 
is a state of apprehension about some future threat. For example, worrying about giving 
a presentation that is a week away is a reﬂection of anxiety, whereas experiencing an 
adrenaline rush while in the midst of giving a presentation is usually an example of 
fear.
Here are a few points to remember: 
1. Anxiety and fear are normal emotions everyone experiences from time to 
time.
2. Anxiety and fear are time-limited. Even though they feel as though they 
may continue forever, they always decrease over time.
3. Anxiety and fear have a helpful function in that they prepare you for future 
threats and protect you from danger. So, your goal should not be to rid 
yourself of all fear and anxiety. Rather, your goal should be to reduce your 
anxiety to a level that no longer interferes signiﬁcantly with your life.
WHAT IS A SOCIAL SITUATION?
A social situation is any situation in which you and other people are present. Social situ -
ations can include those that involve interacting with others (these are often referred to