Avoidance, Avoidance, Avoidance
Avoidance, avoidance, avoidance. Most roads in our dilemma lead back to this behavior. But before avoidance becomes a problem, it starts as an inclination: a strong, ingrained tendency to avoid anxiety. This avoidant tendency is not a real surprise. Experiencing anxiety is clearly unpleasant. And humans are not the biggest fans of unpleasantness. We are […]
Anxiety Is Not Dangerous
Many of us are anxious about being anxious. If anxiety gets too strong, we assume, something terrible might happen. Maybe it will kill us. Or make us lose control. Or induce a nervous breakdown. But there is good news here. There is no such thing, from a scientific perspective, as a nervous breakdown! The most […]
Anxiety and Evolutionary Mismatch
According to “evolutionary mismatch theory,” there is a tension between our ancient biology and the modern world. This tension plays a role in many issues, from drug use to excessive eating. Human characteristics arose from evolution. But the bulk of our evolution took place between 1.8 million and 150,000 years ago. This means our traits […]
Why Does Anxiety Exist In The First Place?
All of us experience it. Half of us struggle with it. A quarter of us suffer from one of its disorders. So why does the feeling called “anxiety” exist in the world in the first place? To answer this question, we must review one of science’s most important ideas: the theory of evolution. “Nothing in […]
Anxiety Versus Fear
The terms “anxiety” and “fear” are often used interchangeably. While closely related, however, the two experiences have different biologies and distinct functions, and are not the same: Because anxiety and fear are closely related, people struggling with panic attacks will benefit from this blog. Most people who have fear-related problems also have anxiety-related problems. And […]
What Is “Anxiety?”
Many definitions of anxiety have been offered throughout history. For our present purpose, it can be defined as a sense of apprehension or dread about something that might happen in the future. Imagine walking a dark and dangerous jungle path where tigers may lurk in the underbrush. Would we feel warm and fuzzy at this moment? […]
What’s in It for Me
Let’s make sure we are on the same page before continuing onward. While anxiety is a part of life, it is definitely not the only part. There is also a joyfulness to existence. A jubilation in getting to do this. A grateful exuberance that accompanies the act of living. Sure, we’re faced with a dilemma. But we also […]
About CBT
There are many forms of psychotherapy and many of them are good. When it comes to anxiety, though, the evidence is now clear: cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment. In 1993, the American Psychological Association appointed a special team to determine which therapeutic approaches work for particular problems. Its findings in the anxiety category […]
Anxiety Problems are Avoidance Problems
Anxiety is part of life. It is the cost of admission of the human condition. It is the price of the ticket to go on this ride. Life is hard and wonderful and bumpy and beautiful, and anxiety is just a part of it. The fact that anxiety is part of life, however, is not […]
The Anxiety Dilemma: An Intro
Imagine your life as a path that leads in a meaningful direction. This path represents your values. Your deep priorities. The things you hope to do and see and touch and taste while you have the opportunity. Say someone asks you a very tough question: “How do you truly want to live your life on […]