Good Life Project Navigating Anxiety: What’s Normal, What’s Not & What Helps | Dr. Tracey Marks
Feb 23, 2026
Dr. Tracey Marks, psychiatrist and mental health educator, breaks down what anxiety is and when it becomes a problem. She explains how fear and the amygdala drive worrying. Short, practical approaches are discussed: spotting catastrophizing, body-based calming tools, medication tradeoffs, CBT exposure, and realistic expectations for living well with anxiety.
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Anxiety Often Masquerades As Physical Illness
- Many people with prominent physical anxiety symptoms first pursue medical workups, believing something bodily is wrong.
- Cardiology and ER visits often rule out physical causes before anxiety is recognized as the source.
Genes And Upbringing Shape Anxiety Patterns
- Anxiety has genetic and learned components; anxious parents and household behaviors shape children's responses.
- A temperament like low tolerance for uncertainty can be inherited and predispose someone to chronic worry.
Create A Personalized Anxiety Toolbox
- Build a personalized toolbox rather than seeking one perfect fix; try multiple strategies to see what becomes automatic for you.
- Example: breathing or meditation helps some people but not others, so pick tools you can practice consistently.
