Fear wants to keep us safe, out of harm and will deploy many tactics.  It blows the likelihood of events happening out of all proportion, it tells you you will never be able to cope, that everyone will find out what you are like really.  This keeps us away from new experiences, changing things that we are unhappy with and from learning.  With a steady look at what is going on fear rarely withstands scrutiny.  What are you feeling anxious about and do you want to take a closer look?

http://www.chopra.com/ccl/can-you-recognize-fear