Uncertainty is something we all have to deal with. We do not always know what will happen with our health, our relationships or our finances, and the future itself rarely come with clear answers. For a lot of people not knowing what is going to happen creates a lot of anxiety. The good thing is that you can learn to...
Ever found a conversation replaying in the mind long after it has ended? Or spent hours trying to work out whether the "right" decision was made? That cycle is known as rumination. Unlike healthy reflection, rumination keeps the mind trapped in the same thoughts without leading to a solution. Over time, these repetitive thoughts can make it harder to concentrate, sleep...
When anxiety takes hold, breathing often changes without being noticed. It may become quicker, shallower or feel harder to control. This is a natural response to stress, but it can also make anxious feelings seem even stronger. Breathing carries on by itself most of the time, but it can also be changed whenever needed. That bit of control turns out...
Your chest tightens, your heart races, your breathing becomes shallow, and for a moment, it can genuinely feel like something is seriously wrong. Many people who experience a panic attack for the first time believe they are having a heart attack and honestly, the symptoms can feel frighteningly similar. Panic attacks are more common than many realise. They can happen during...
Feeling anxious from time to time is pretty normal. We all get worried or nervous from time to time… However, if your worrying feels constant, excessive, and difficult to handle, you might be dealing with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). With this kind of anxiety, your mind can feel like your mind is constantly scanning for threats, making it hard to...
We all get weird thoughts sometimes. These thoughts come into our minds. Then they go away. We move on with our day. We have all been in situations where we do things over and over like checking the lights or the door a few times. This is normal.. For people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) these thoughts and actions don’t simply...
As a psychologist, I often hear clients say, “I’m just shy.” Many worry they are making a deal out of something that everyone experiences.. But here’s the thing: there’s a line between ordinary shyness and social anxiety disorder. And knowing which one you’re on can change everything. Shyness vs. Social Anxiety: Not the Same Thing Shyness is a personality trait. It’s common,...
For most people, stepping outside is nothing special—running errands, picking up groceries, grabbing coffee, meeting friends, or commuting to work. But for people with agoraphobia, though, just leaving home can feel overwhelming. Even the thought of stepping outside can trigger a wave of anxiety. People often assume agoraphobia just means being scared of open spaces. But in reality, it is an...
Turn on the news or scroll through social media and it’s hard to avoid the sense that the world feels increasingly uncertain. In my work as a psychologist, I see more and more people—kids, teens, adults—coming in with anxiety tied to what’s happening globally. People talk about feeling overwhelmed by everything: the war between Russia and Ukraine, the current war between...
For many women, the word menopause brings to mind hot flushes, night sweats, or changes in periods. But what’s often left out of the conversation is just how much this stage of life can impact mental health. Mood swings, anxiety, forgetfulness, or simply not feeling like yourself—these aren’t signs that you’re “not coping.” They’re real and valid responses to the hormonal...
