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Understanding the Anxious Mind

Your best frenemy.

Anxiety
How "Cognitive Defusion" Can Help With Anxiety

Michael Stein Psy.D. on June 23, 2023

The first step in learning to react differently to anxiety-provoking thoughts is recognizing that they are just thoughts. Learn how this idea of "cognitive defusion" helps anxiety.

The first step in learning to react differently to anxiety-provoking thoughts is recognizing that they are just thoughts. Learn how this idea of "cognitive defusion" helps anxiety.

Anxiety
Are You a Life Optimizer?

Michael Stein Psy.D. on March 29, 2023

Perfectionism can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing. Learn how to break the cycle through a healthier assessment of risks and rewards.

Perfectionism can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing. Learn how to break the cycle through a healthier assessment of risks and rewards.

Anxiety
Why You Should Stop Talking About Your Worries

Michael Stein Psy.D. on December 29, 2022

When you worry, it can feel like you just need to talk about it. But talking about it is part of the problem. Learn how to relieve anxiety by stopping reassurance-seeking.

When you worry, it can feel like you just need to talk about it. But talking about it is part of the problem. Learn how to relieve anxiety by stopping reassurance-seeking.

Anxiety
Anxious About Anxiety Itself? Do Less, Not More

Michael Stein Psy.D. on July 22, 2022

Are you anxious about how anxious you are? Worried that it will never go away? You're probably doing too much about anxiety. Learn why doing less works better.

Are you anxious about how anxious you are? Worried that it will never go away? You're probably doing too much about anxiety. Learn why doing less works better.

OCD
Why Do I Have OCD?

Michael Stein Psy.D. on April 27, 2022

Wondering why you have OCD? It's not because of your thoughts. It's how you treat those thoughts that matters.

Wondering why you have OCD? It's not because of your thoughts. It's how you treat those thoughts that matters.

Anxiety
Worry vs. Decision-Making: When Is It OK to Worry?

Michael Stein Psy.D. on November 1, 2021

Do you feel like you need to stop worrying so much, but there are certain things you actually need to worry about? Learn when to analyze a problem and when it's useless to worry.

Do you feel like you need to stop worrying so much, but there are certain things you actually need to worry about? Learn when to analyze a problem and when it's useless to worry.

Anxiety
Anxiety and the Art of Doing Nothing

Michael Stein Psy.D. on August 4, 2021

Is your brain ringing an alarm that you're in danger? The best thing to do for your anxiety is to ignore the alarm so your brain learns the situation is not actually important.

Is your brain ringing an alarm that you're in danger? The best thing to do for your anxiety is to ignore the alarm so your brain learns the situation is not actually important.

Anxiety
Why Your Panic Attacks May Seem Random but Aren't

Michael Stein Psy.D. on February 11, 2021

Panic attacks can be scary when it feels like your body is out of control with no apparent cause. But there is a cause: anxiety about anxiety itself.

Panic attacks can be scary when it feels like your body is out of control with no apparent cause. But there is a cause: anxiety about anxiety itself.

OCD
7 Tips to Beat Harm OCD

Michael Stein Psy.D. on September 4, 2020

Are you tormented by intrusive OCD thoughts about hurting other people? Confronting these thoughts and the situations you're avoiding can help you overcome harm OCD. Here's how.

Are you tormented by intrusive OCD thoughts about hurting other people? Confronting these thoughts and the situations you're avoiding can help you overcome harm OCD. Here's how.

OCD
Understanding Harm OCD

Michael Stein Psy.D. on May 16, 2020

Are you anxious because you are having thoughts about hurting other people? Learn how to tell the difference between harm OCD and an actual desire to hurt others.

Are you anxious because you are having thoughts about hurting other people? Learn how to tell the difference between harm OCD and an actual desire to hurt others.

Anxiety
Avoidance of Uncertainty: Generalized Anxiety Explained

Michael Stein Psy.D. on February 28, 2020

Worry behavior is an attempt to eliminate anxiety about uncertainty, but it actually feeds more anxiety. Learn how the worry process works and how to stop it.

Worry behavior is an attempt to eliminate anxiety about uncertainty, but it actually feeds more anxiety. Learn how the worry process works and how to stop it.