Guaranteed Ways to Make Yourself Anxious

From the power of pausing to the ability to ignore, we’ve culled 26 simple, actionable measures for gaining a sense of control and living a meaningful life. Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today. Posted August 1, 2026 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma You can find a lot of information about how to decrease your anxiety, but think about the things you accidentally do that guarantee your anxiety will worsen. I see my patients make consistent mistakes. Once you recognize them, you cannot unsee them. Share this post Facebook Bluesky Linkedin Email Don't miss an update! Get posts from Karen Cassiday Ph.D. direct to your inbox There was a problem adding your email address. Please try again. Karen Cassiday, Ph.D., helps kids, teens, and adults break free from anxiety, build inner confidence, and live with calm purpose and peace of mind. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. From the power of pausing to the ability to ignore, we’ve culled 26 simple, actionable measures for gaining a sense of control and living a meaningful life. Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.