I try to treat my anxiety like a flag or alarm clock; it makes me stop and take note of what is going on, what is important to me, helps me know where I "am" and what I need to do. I think it is a good thing, I like symptoms because they're what we chose as individuals to help us get by and if we haven't paid attention to anxiety in the past (or sadness, etc.) then, of course it's going to get stronger to help get our attention so we take care of things we need to. The monster chasing one in one's dream is going to keep chasing until one turns and confronts it.

Monsters, Inc. are us