Sometimes when we encounter challenging situations, it’s easier to avoid them than to face them. Some difficult emotions – like anxiety, fear, or worry – stick around or get worse because of this.

As we look at anxiety, consider the following case. Ann was an elementary school teacher. For Ann, the sensations she experienced were feelings of unreality, shortness of breath, and stomach upset.

Anxiety can be both painful and uncomfortable. You may feel your body start to shake or sweat, or your pulse may quicken. You may fear your anxiety will get so bad you’ll lose control. Or you may find ...

Procrastination, passive-aggressiveness, and rumination are examples of unhelpful coping mechanisms that we may consciously or unconsciously use to avoid tackling a tough issue or facing thoughts and ...

When anxiety meets avoidance, a relationship can feel like a painful spiral. Here’s how to recognize the trap — and break free. Some people pull away when things get too intense, while others hold on ...

Feeling nervous before meeting new people, speaking in public or attending a social event is something almost everyone experiences. These feelings are usually temporary and fade once the situation is ...

Anxiety is a family inheritance nobody wants to pass down. Yet anxious parents often watch helplessly as their children develop the same fears, worries, and avoidance patterns they’ve struggled with ...

Objective: To investigate the role of three distinct symptoms of heart-focused anxiety (cardio-protective avoidance, heart-focused attention, and fear about heart sensations) in relation to general ...

Welcome to the third module of LUNA! This week, you will learn more about avoidance and about why avoiding things that cause anxiety will not help your child overcome their fears. You will also learn ...