You know that feeling when you read something at just the right time, and everything makes sense? I love those moments. This is exactly what happened to me the other week. Apple+ News suggested an article that made sense of the shit in my head. (That quarantine indulgence paid off!) Lately, as more things are...
Now that the gradual reopening is upon us, it’s interesting to see the continuum of responses. From elated to cautiously optimistic to downright terrified, how ever you’re feeling, that’s ok. It makes sense, after all, to have some worry about this next phase — there are still so many unknowns out there. While we can’t...
As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re navigating through an uncertain and stressful time. People are going to have various reactions. Given my experience, I have this anecdotal sense that when under this kind of stress, we become more of what we are. If someone’s temperament runs on the anxious side pre-pandemic, it’s going to...
Last month, I posted (on Instagram) some reminders for those dealing with excessive worry or anxiety right now because of COVID-19. As the situation continues, even those who don’t normally deal with anxiety may be feeling it. It’s important to know that one, you’re not alone. The situation is triggering a lot of people. And...
I really try not to be offended easily, and truly, I’m not. But as someone who treats patients with obsessive compulsive disorder, there’s something I need to say. Even in this unprecedented, high-stress, we-have-to-wash-our-hands situation, it is not ok to associate “crazy” with “germaphobe” as I heard a very well-respected reporter say. It’s not ok...
Everyone has some anxiety. It’s a normal emotion that we actually need, because it protects us from danger. We don’t want to get rid of it. For those with excessive worry or anxiety, however, improving your ability to differentiate between danger and discomfort is important. Tolerating discomfort and learning how to better respond to that...
Now that it’s February, it’s a good time to evaluate how those New Year’s resolutions are coming along. If you’re like the majority of people who set those goals year after year with the best intentions only to make it a couple of days, or maybe weeks, this article is for you. There’s a scientific...
Welcome back! If you’ve come here first, you’ll want to check out Part One of Lessons from TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé. Today, I’ll give you 3 more lessons. And, while the original catalyst for these posts isn’t necessarily the most credible, in all seriousness, the lessons we can learn are good ones. Lesson #3: “Talking...
On a cold, miserable, gray Cleveland weekend, my daughter introduced me to the highly addictive reality show 90 Day Fiancé. I know. I don’t know what came over me. But I was hooked, and we binge-watched 2 seasons before she went back to college. What I’ve come to see is that the show is a...
“Certainty is a feeling, not a fact” is a well-known phrase among OCD and anxiety therapists, but it bears spending some time unpacking. Anyone who reads my stuff regularly knows that worry and anxiety feed off of uncertainty and discomfort. Here’s the nuance I want to explore: uncertainty and discomfort are feelings just like happy,...