Anxiety in Health Behaviors and Physical Illness

This is a single resource offering theoretical perspectives and reviews of research on the link between health behaviors and physical illness to anxiety. The authors explore the idea of reciprocal relations between anxiety and health factors throughout the developmental course. Special attention is devoted to the mechanisms by which certain health factors (e.g. physical exercise) may play a role in the onset or maintenance of particular anxiety disorders.


Michael J. Zvolensky received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from West Virginia University in 2001. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Vermont and Director of the Anxiety and Health Research Laboratory and Clinic. His work is funded through the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Mental Health, and Anxiety Disorder Association of America.

Jasper A. J. Smits received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. As part of his research and clinical training, he completed a fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Smits' research has been recognized by awards from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America as well as the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Smits joined the Department of Psychology at Southern Methodist University as an Assistant Professor in 2004, where he directs the Anxiety Research & Treatment Program.