how to get the better of anxiety

my anxiety is that bad at times where i'll be afraid of answering my phone when the phone rings or opening my mail....and if there are loud noises around me in the block of flats i live in i'll be startled & panicked...and just be on edge.

it's a terrible way to live but i've had bad anxiety problems for a very long time now......a lot of it is 'fear based', but i find it hard to overcome the anxiety as i keep giving in to fear.