Tag Archives: fear

“I fear something bad is going to happen. It feels like the end of the world.”

Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 by Alison

Anxiety is part of being human. Yet most people feel uncomfortable with anxiety; so they tend to attach it to something external to make sense of it. Freud pointed out that free-floating anxiety often gets attributed to objects or situations, … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Happiness | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Guest Author Sam Vaknin, PhD:
“I am Terrified that S/he will Abandon Me! I will Do Anything to Avoid It!”

Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by Alison

Clinging and smothering behaviours are the unsavoury consequences of a deep-set existential, almost mortal fear of abandonment and separation. For the codependent to maintain a long-term, healthy relationship, she must first confront her anxieties head on. This can be done … Continue reading →

Posted in Relationship Skills, Vaknin, Sam PhD, Visiting Authors | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fear and Panic:
“If I don’t keep on top of everything, I don’t know what will happen.”

Posted on Friday, August 3, 2012 by Alison

Being organized, dependable, and creative in planning for the future are wonderful qualities that allow you to create beauty and order in the home, your finances, and most areas of life. Responsible people generally strive to achieve security, harmony, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness, Personality Traits | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
“Since he lost his job, he doesn’t seem to care about our relationship.”

Posted on Monday, May 14, 2012 by Alison

When people are immersed in fear, they generally don’t feel secure enough to focus on higher-level aspirations such as improving their relationships or expressing their creativity. Abraham Maslow’s pyramid of needs is an elegant picture of the order in which … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Relationship Skills | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fear of failure:
“I’m worried about failing.”

Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by Alison

I failed my way to success. ~Thomas Edison People often lack the courage to take initiative because they are debilitated by fear of failure. Yet, we need to face risks of “failure” or rejection to pursue friendships, romantic relationships, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fear: “I hate feeling so much fear. How can I get rid of it?”

Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011 by Alison

Fear is an emotional response that alerts you to potential danger like a car’s warning light. Without a warning, you could get into a lot of trouble. On the other hand, if that warning light is as loud as one … Continue reading →

Posted in Conflict, Thinking and the Brain | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Catastrophizing: “I failed my test. Now they’ll know how stupid I am. I’ll never get into college and get a decent job.”

Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 by Alison

Catastrophizing can lead to a very fearful, and even depressed state of mind. When any small mishap leads you to imagine a downward spiral of horrible consequences, you are likely to become overwhelmed, panicked, or despondent. And that despondence might … Continue reading →

Posted in Personality Traits, Thinking and the Brain | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Fears and Phobias: “I avoid going out in public because I don’t like talking to strangers.”

Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 by Alison

When you fear certain situations, your natural tendency is to avoid them. If you feel uncomfortable at parties or talking to strangers, you tend to avoid putting yourself in situations that will arouse that anxiety. Avoidance seems to be effective, … Continue reading →

Posted in Personality Traits, Thinking and the Brain | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments