Living with a Sticky Mind

Anxiety

Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: Images, Sensations, and Stories

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on May 27, 2023

Unwanted intrusive thoughts aren't determined by their content. Here's how to determine if you are actually suffering from unwanted intrusive thoughts.

Unwanted intrusive thoughts aren't determined by their content. Here's how to determine if you are actually suffering from unwanted intrusive thoughts.

Alcoholism

How a "Sticky Mind" Can Lead to Anxiety

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on February 18, 2023

Do you have a "sticky mind"? Understanding how it tricks you will help you incorporate it into a full and meaningful life.

Do you have a "sticky mind"? Understanding how it tricks you will help you incorporate it into a full and meaningful life.

OCD

Why Our Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts Are Not Random

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on December 20, 2022

The content of unwanted intrusive thoughts is the opposite of your true self. Understanding this can reduce bewilderment and be helpful to your recovery.

The content of unwanted intrusive thoughts is the opposite of your true self. Understanding this can reduce bewilderment and be helpful to your recovery.

Fear

Behind Chronic Indecisiveness: The Fear of Regret

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on November 29, 2021

Anxiety about making a choice you might later regret can stop you from making future choices and enjoying the ones you have already made.

Anxiety about making a choice you might later regret can stop you from making future choices and enjoying the ones you have already made.

Anxiety

Why Some People Just Can't Make Up Their Minds

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on November 28, 2021

For those with chronic indecisiveness. the uncertainty inherent in every decision creates doubts that lead to delay, avoidance, and procrastination.

For those with chronic indecisiveness. the uncertainty inherent in every decision creates doubts that lead to delay, avoidance, and procrastination.

Perfectionism

Behind Chronic Indecisiveness: Perfectionism

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on November 25, 2021

Does your drive towards perfectionism paralyze you and turn decision-making into an agonizing experience?

Does your drive towards perfectionism paralyze you and turn decision-making into an agonizing experience?

Anxiety

Chronic Indecisiveness: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on May 9, 2021

Can't make up your mind? Chronic indecisiveness is more than ordinary indecision, and there are several reasons why it might be stopping you.

Can't make up your mind? Chronic indecisiveness is more than ordinary indecision, and there are several reasons why it might be stopping you.

Anxiety

Anticipatory Anxiety: Bleeding Before You Are Cut

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on April 20, 2021

Do you fear and shy away from future events, actions, or decisions? Anticipatory anxiety is the culprit, but there's a way to overcome it.

Do you fear and shy away from future events, actions, or decisions? Anticipatory anxiety is the culprit, but there's a way to overcome it.

Anxiety

Therapeutic Surrender: Pandemic Edition

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on February 9, 2021

Uncertainty is rampant in the pandemic age. Therapeutic surrender is one of the most helpful ways to keep going.

Uncertainty is rampant in the pandemic age. Therapeutic surrender is one of the most helpful ways to keep going.

Anxiety

Disorders of the Ironic Process

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on August 29, 2020

Sometimes trying too hard is the cause of the problem.

Sometimes trying too hard is the cause of the problem.

Anxiety

The (Temporary) Upside of the Downside

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on May 22, 2020

Are you already feeling the stress of reopening? You are in good company.

Are you already feeling the stress of reopening? You are in good company.

Anxiety

The Family Tangle: A Reassurance Trap You'd Like to Avoid

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on February 21, 2020

Are you trapped in repetitive, unhelpful, and anxiety-raising interactions with the people you love the most? Find out what causes this and how to free yourself.

Are you trapped in repetitive, unhelpful, and anxiety-raising interactions with the people you love the most? Find out what causes this and how to free yourself.

Anxiety

Anxiety Coping Tools Can Backfire: It's Not Your Fault

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on February 2, 2020

Not getting the relief you need with anxiety coping skills? They aren’t the complete answer. The attitude with which skills are applied makes a crucial difference.

Not getting the relief you need with anxiety coping skills? They aren’t the complete answer. The attitude with which skills are applied makes a crucial difference.

Don't let reassurance-seeking get the better of you. Avoid the "Reassurance Trap" and tame your inner reassurance junkie.

Anxiety

Do You Have Doubts About Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts?

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on November 27, 2019

Do you doubt whether your "stuck" thought is an intrusive thought? Remember that Intrusive Thoughts can "morph" and "go meta."

Do you doubt whether your "stuck" thought is an intrusive thought? Remember that Intrusive Thoughts can "morph" and "go meta."

Attention

Why Is the Content of Intrusive Thoughts So Awful?

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on October 28, 2019

Many intrusive thoughts have horrible content. You probably wouldn't guess the simple reason why that is so.

Many intrusive thoughts have horrible content. You probably wouldn't guess the simple reason why that is so.

Environment

Surviving the News When You Have a Sticky Mind

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on October 23, 2019

Are you crazed by the headlines? Climate change? Impeachment? Terrorism? Mass shootings? Border security? A sticky mind makes it all the worse.

Are you crazed by the headlines? Climate change? Impeachment? Terrorism? Mass shootings? Border security? A sticky mind makes it all the worse.

Fear

Getting Over Your Fear of Flying

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on September 27, 2019

If your "flight fright" gets the best of you, this could help you get off the ground more comfortably.

If your "flight fright" gets the best of you, this could help you get off the ground more comfortably.

Unconscious

Nine Myths that Contribute to Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on September 20, 2019

Busting these myths about thinking will help keep thoughts from turning into unwanted intrusive thoughts.

Busting these myths about thinking will help keep thoughts from turning into unwanted intrusive thoughts.

Anxiety

Wise Mind and Therapeutic Surrender

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D. on September 14, 2019

If your anxiety "management" techniques aren't doing it for you, here's a better approach.

If your anxiety "management" techniques aren't doing it for you, here's a better approach.