If you dread going to sleep at night, postpone it as long as possible, or generally prefer not to think about it, you’re not alone. You may have somniphobia, a fear of sleeping. Luckily, it’s a treatable problem. Somniphobia is a fear of sleeping or falling asleep. It may also be called sleep anxiety. Somniphobia…
Impostor syndrome. You’re likely familiar with this commonly discussed phenomenon as it often comes up in work, school, or even social settings. Maybe you’ve seen it mentioned on Google after searching “why is everyone better at their job than me?” If you have ever felt like you didn’t belong at your job, thought that everyone…
If you get anxious or panicky while on an elevator, or you go out of your way to avoid taking elevators altogether, you are not alone! Many people have a fear of elevators. If this is you, read on to learn more about this problem and how you can overcome it. Different Phobias Related to…
The Reassurance Cycle Definition and explanation Asking for reassurance is a natural thing to do. However, constant reassurance seeking can become an unhealthy way to try to cope with anxiety and uncertainty. Reassurance seeking can look like many things: Reassurance seeking can feel productive in the moment, as if you’re finding out important information.…
Last updated: October 3rd, 2024 If you’re suffering from anxiety or panic attacks, it’s possible that you have difficulty tolerating uncertainty. If uncertainty avoidance drives many of your efforts to cope with anxiety, you may benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy. Living with Uncertainty Uncertainty is an inescapable part of life. And it’s something that, generally speaking,…
Planes are one of the most common places to have panic attacks. Whether you’re having a panic attack right now, or are generally vulnerable to them, read on. Last updated: August 12, 2024 Panic attacks are more likely to happen when your anxiety levels are high and you feel trapped. If you’re sitting on a plane…
The fear that you’ll lose control, cause an accident, or panic while driving can have severe effects. Learn about why some people have a fear of driving and what helps improve the problem. Fear of Driving Driving is a daily activity for many people in most of the United States. So, if you are suffering…
Are you a germophobe? Typically, a fear of germs is actually not a phobia. Often, it is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known informally as “contamination OCD.” with contributions from Gabrielle Ilagan What is Contamination OCD? OCD comes in many forms, and contamination OCD is one of them. People with contamination OCD experience obsessions about…
Rumination is a common experience. If you have OCD, rumination can be a problem that makes your symptoms worse. Learn about this problem and what you can do about it. Updated June 18th, 2024 OCD and Mental Compulsions Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a distressing condition in which people experience obsessions or compulsions, and often both.…
The relationship between OCD and depression can be difficult to sort through. Understanding these two conditions and how they affect each other can help you get the help you need. With contributions from Paul Greene, Ph.D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) There are a lot of misconceptions about what OCD is. OCD is not simply a term for a…
Updated: January 23, 2024 What Is Paruresis? Paruresis, also known as “shy bladder syndrome,” is the fear of urinating in public or in the perceived presence of others. If you suffer from paruresis, you may experience extreme anxiety and unease when using a public restroom. The problem occurs when you are unable to urinate in…
Pregnancy is a time of many changes; it can bring about joy and excitement as well as anxiety. Learn about what pregnancy anxiety is and how to cope with it. It doesn’t need to interfere with your pregnancy experience. Pregnancy anxiety can focus on concerns about the health of the baby or on having…