Fainting is always concerning and can happen for many reasons. Learn about the most common type of fainting, vasovagal syncope, and what causes it. Vasovagal Syncope Syncope is the medical term for passing out or fainting. Fainting is a relatively common experience. Around 3-3.5% of people experience fainting at some point in their life. It……
If you suffer from panic attacks or have been diagnosed with panic disorder, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be beneficial for you. Learn about this treatment option and how it can help. What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that is especially effective for anxiety and insomnia but is also……
Many people who suffer from PTSD find that the condition can affect their sex lives, sometimes for years. Fortunately, there is help for this problem. After experiencing a traumatic event, some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The types of events that can cause PTSD include accidents, sexual or physical assaults or abuse, natural disasters,……
If you find yourself preoccupied and fearful about having a serious illness, you may suffer from health anxiety. Fortunately, there are concrete steps you can take to (eventually) feel less anxious. What Is Health Anxiety? Health anxiety is worry or concern about having a medical condition that is disproportionate to the actual risk. Sometimes health……
Feeling Dizzy Dizziness is both common and uncomfortable. When you experience dizziness, you might feel lightheaded, woozy, or unsteady. This is not the same as feeling as though things are spinning or moving, which is called vertigo. The terms dizziness and vertigo are often treated as though they are the same sensations, but they are……
Do you or someone you know seem overly preoccupied with rules, regulations, and orderliness? Do things often need to be done “a particular way” or “the perfect way?” If so, it may be Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, or “OCPD.” What Is OCPD, Exactly? OCPD is a personality disorder. A personality disorder is a characteristic style that……
Stress and anxiety are closely related, but they are not the same thing. Stress is usually a response to external pressure or demands, while anxiety involves fear, worry, or apprehension that may persist even when no clear threat is present. Both can affect your mind and body, causing symptoms like muscle tension, irritability, trouble sleeping,……
Anxiety can lead people to avoid all kinds of things — even sex. Understanding the role anxiety plays is a critical part to addressing sex avoidance. Updated August 19, 2023 One of the reasons you don’t read a lot about sex avoidance is that it’s more likely a symptom than a problem. But what is……
If you get panicky in enclosed spaces or situations when you feel trapped, you’re not alone. Cleithrophobia is a well-understood and treatable problem. Learn more. Updated: March 2nd, 2025 Cleithrophobia: Definition Cleithrophobia is a fear of being trapped. It is a “specific phobia” (as opposed to a social phobia). Cleithrophobia can affect adults or children.……
Blushing is a normal reaction in certain circumstances. So why might you have a fear of blushing? And what can you do about it? Karla blushed during a date after she spilled water all over herself and the table. She felt embarrassed and that her date thought she was awkward. From then on, she started……
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD), sometimes referred to as complex trauma or complex PTSD, is somewhat different from PTSD. Here’s what you need to know about distinguishing cPTSD from PTSD and the treatment for each of these conditions. What Is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a syndrome that affects some people who have……
Hand washing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness. However, many people wonder if they wash their hands too much. Although there’s no single number that defines “too much,” excessive hand washing can sometimes be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), particularly when it is driven by……