Fear

Historically, if a human being did not belong to a social group, he or she would more than likely die due to harsh conditions. It took a village to survive and you needed to be a part of ... Read More

Thanks for the letter and your thoughtful questions. I am very pleased that you reached out, seeking advice on what to do. You ask if it’s possible to become dependent on therapy, and ... Read More

“If I am killed, I can die but once; but to live in constant dread of it is to die over and over again.” —Abraham Lincoln “Something did happen to me somewhere that robbed me of ... Read More

Fear is a pretty ordinary human emotion. When we experience it, though, it feels anything but ordinary. How we respond to our fears can shape the way we live our lives and the people we ... Read More

You are single, feeling good about yourself, looking your best, and decide to go out for a night on the town. In the back of your mind, there is a small nugget of hope that perhaps tonight ... Read More

Parenthood makes worry inevitable, but the threats parents worry about change with each generation. The National Poll on Children’s Health, conducted annually by the University of ... Read More

Having paranoid thoughts does not mean you are crazy. Some people have these thoughts as a result of feeling anxious or stressed. So you have company; other people have feelings like these ... Read More

Thanks for your thoughtful question. I’m going to do my best to answer it and to alleviate some of the concerns you have expressed. The most important thing to address here is your statement ... Read More

This is a gut-wrenching position you find yourself in. On the one hand, you’ve done some great work with this therapist and built a strong relationship with her; on the other hand, ... Read More

Robert’s palms were sweating and his heart was pounding. His big presentation was scheduled in less than an hour and he was starting to panic. What if he forgot his lines? What if he ... Read More

Hypnosis is often recognized as being used by performers in comedy or entertainment and is typically seen as fun and harmless in those situations. However, hypnosis has a broader application ... Read More

Do you live in fear and anxiety? Do you think they protect you? They may—to a degree. The startle reflex is protective; if we happen to step in front of a moving car, we immediately jump ... Read More