The time you spend in a feared situation, experiencing a feared physical sensation, or near a feared object is another variable that can influence the intensity of your anxious response. Rosey, for example, feared that others would notice that she was blushing and then think she was weird or incompetent. Rosey then avoided eye contact with certain people, such as other teachers and, especially, her principal. Rosey felt more anxious about looking into her principal’s face for five minutes while speaking with him than for two minutes.

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