It also works the other way around – negative feelings make it more likely you’ll have unhelpful thoughts, which create more anxiety.
The example below outlines the cycle of anxious thoughts and feelings. It shows how a situation, combined with negative feelings, can create a cycle with unhelpful thoughts. When you have an unhelpful thought, it makes you feel anxious, which creates more negative feelings. It also works the other way around – negative feelings make it more likely you’ll have unhelpful thoughts, which create more anxiety.