The perception of stress creates a negative thinking pattern which in turn serves to maintain and at times to heighten the arousal or anxiety level.
Some examples:
1. Event (waking up) > Thought (I can't face another day) > Anxiety (arousal/tension)
2. Event (you have a meeting at work) > Thought (I'm no good at my job - I'll be found out) > Anxiety (arousal/tension)
3. Event (the children are playing and making a noise) > Thought (I just can't cope with this - I'm a bad mum/dad) > Anxiety (arousal/tension)
4. Event (time to go to bed) > Thought (I won't be able to sleep) > Anxiety (arousal/tension)
5. Event (tinnitus) > Thought (I can't cope) > Anxiety (arousal/tension)