Anxiety sensitivity is the fear of anxiety itself — the fear of the sensations that come with feeling anxious. It’s not just about worrying or overthinking; it’s about how our body’s normal reactions are interpreted. For example, when your heart races or you feel dizzy, you might assume something is wrong — that you’re losing control, having a heart attack, or about to faint. What Anxiety Sensitivity Looks Like Someone with high anxiety sensitivity may notice physical sensations like: A...

Living with OCD often feels like being pulled in different directions by your own mind. Just when you’ve learned to manage one fear, another one seems to show up. This frustrating cycle is connected to what’s known in inference-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT) as the feared possible self . The feared possible self is the version of yourself that OCD tries to convince you that you might become — harmful, irresponsible, reckless, immoral, unsafe, or unloving. The feared possible self...

Panic attacks can feel terrifying. Your heart races, your chest tightens, your mind floods with “what ifs”—and before you know it, you’re scanning for the nearest exit or trying to escape the feeling altogether. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Panic attacks are incredibly common—and they’re also very treatable. One of the most effective, evidence-based ways to treat panic is through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. What Is ERP? ERP is a type of cognitive behavioral...