Why avoidance is a problem. — Millions of people struggle with anxiety that interferes with their life. How does anxiety become a problem? People with anxiety issues tend to avoid anxiety-provoking situations. They might avoid: Social situations A difficult assignment Looking for a job Driving on the freeway Checking their finances or paying bills The possibilities are endless! Avoidance reinforces your anxiety.

How to help yourself when your physical complaints aren’t taken seriously. — “It’s probably just anxiety.” These are some of the most invalidating words you might hear when seeking help for physical symptoms. For example, many long-COVID sufferers have reported that health care providers have not taken their complaints seriously. …

There are better ways of dealing with anxiety than simply trying to stop it. — “I just wish I could stop feeling anxious!” Virtually every client I have seen who struggles with anxiety has said some version of that sentence. That sentiment is understandable, as anxiety can feel awful: Who wants to be stuttering and shaking as they give a speech at their best friend’s…

Break the cycle of harmful thoughts. — Last week several of my therapy clients said to me, “I feel like something is wrong with me.” One person said it as the reason why they thought they were single. Another said it was the cause of why they didn’t have as many friends as they wanted. …

Anxiety-related avoidance can cause stress in relationships. — It’s natural to want to avoid things that cause anxiety and stress. However, when your loved one frequently avoids situations because of their anxiety, it can cause a strain on your relationship. People with anxiety avoid all sorts of things. For example, they might avoid group events due to social…

Identifying your triggers is an important way to overcome them. — You are sitting at home, watching a suspenseful movie. Out of the blue, your heart starts pounding. You feel like you can’t breathe, your face gets hot, and your fingers start tingling. You’ve had these sensations before, and your mind goes back to a familiar thought: I’m having a heart…

3 steps you can take to make peace with the unknown. — What does this weird symptom mean? Will I fail the test tomorrow? Did I remember to lock the door when I left the house? Will I have anyone to talk to at the party? What if I don’t get that job I want? For many, uncertainty is scary, especially for…

Find emotional health in the digital world. — There has been a lot in the news lately about mental health problems associated with social media. As a psychologist, my clients of all ages commonly talk about the negative impact of other people’s posts on their mental well-being. For example, many feel socially rejected when they see an event…

To combat anxiety, learn how to behave like a non-anxious person. — A mother checks a video monitor multiple times during her toddler’s naps to make sure he is breathing. A tech executive wants to find a partner but is so afraid of being judged that she avoids going on dating apps. …