Last updated: June 14th, 2025 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…
Last updated: June 14th, 2025 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…
Updated June 14, 2025 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. OCD and Mental Compulsions Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a distressing condition in which people experience obsessions or compulsions, and often both.…
Last updated: June 14th, 2025 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…
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…
Relationships can bring us happiness, comfort, and a sense of connection. However, relationships can also bring about anxiety and stress. If not managed appropriately, relationship anxiety can get out of hand and negatively impact your relationship and quality of life. Learn more about what relationship anxiety is and ways to cope with it. What Is…
Nobody loves throwing up… but if your aversion to vomiting is extreme, you may be dealing with emetophobia. Fortunately, the condition is treatable. What Exactly Is Emetophobia? Let’s face it – vomiting is an uncomfortable, disgusting experience. But everyone will vomit at some point in their life (usually many times). The ability to vomit is…
Last updated: May 20th, 2025 Swallowing is something that everyone does, many times per day. How does something so familiar become a source of anxiety? Bodily Functions and Conscious Control The human body relies on several important functions every day to keep it going. Many of these are totally outside your control. For example, your…