Overcoming Performance Anxiety
We all know the feeling of cold, clammy hands and shivers up the spine right before we step out onstage, take a test, or make a speech. Some people find this sensation so difficult to handle that they avoid it as much as possible. They might not try out for a play,...
Introverts, Extroverts, and Social Anxiety
Betty is not shy. Shyness is a fear of social judgment that causes people to withdraw from social settings. When shyness is extreme, we call it social anxiety. Betty isn’t afraid of social situations. She doesn’t fear parties. She just dislikes them. Betty is what we...
LOSING GRACEFULLY
Emma started the discussion in my parenting class with the following story: My daughter and I were playing an exciting game of CandyLand. Her entire four-year-old face was intently focused on the board as she skipped her card across two red spaces. She was very...
The Psychological Quick-Fix Fending off the Blues
“I feel like I’m just in a slump,” says Miriam. “Nothing exciting happened recently. Nothing exciting is going to happen. After the holiday break, we went straight back into school, and it’s like every teacher couldn’t wait to pounce on us with tons of work. It’s just...
Psychology Today Articles
- The 4-Letter Words Undermining Parent ConfidenceTwo four-letter words and one four-letter acronym describe why so many parents struggle with confidence.
- It's Time to Embrace the Term "Psychodiversity"The time has come to embrace divergence, not dysfunction, as a model for psychological functioning. A case for using the term "psychodiversity," as opposed to the pathology model.
- "My Kid Is Stressed!" An Rx for Stress Without Side EffectsWe've always known reading to kids is beneficial. New research demonstrates the mechanisms by which it lowers stress. This has some major implications for parenting all kids.
- Help! I Had a Panic Attack in Front of My Kids, Now What?It can be difficult to talk to children about our own trauma, but we can't always avoid it. Here are some guidelines on how to do it.