Verified by Psychology Today

The Runaway Mind

Grappling with anxiety, depression, and negative thoughts

Anxiety
Your Anxious Self: It’s Not What You Think It Is

David A. Clark Ph.D. on April 7, 2025

Does anxiety always seem to win despite your best efforts? You're convinced that you're weak and unable to cope. But there's more to this story that's waiting to be discovered.

Does anxiety always seem to win despite your best efforts? You're convinced that you're weak and unable to cope. But there's more to this story that's waiting to be discovered.

Anxiety
Does Your Anxiety Thermostat Need an Adjustment?

David A. Clark Ph.D. on February 20, 2025

We all have a trigger point for anxiety. If it's set too low, a small trace of anxiety can feel overwhelming. The answer is to readjust your trigger point to a higher level.

We all have a trigger point for anxiety. If it's set too low, a small trace of anxiety can feel overwhelming. The answer is to readjust your trigger point to a higher level.

Anxiety
Two Ways to Resolve Feelings of Dread About the Future

David A. Clark Ph.D. on January 17, 2025

Anxiety can start early even before you know it. How we think about an anxious situation often causes feelings of dread. This cycle can be broken with a change in anticipation.

Anxiety can start early even before you know it. How we think about an anxious situation often causes feelings of dread. This cycle can be broken with a change in anticipation.

Anxiety
How You Understand Your Anxiety Can Transform Its Treatment

David A. Clark Ph.D. on December 3, 2024

Like solving a puzzle, discovering the basic processes that drive your anxious feelings can help with selecting the best CBT strategies for your unique experience of anxiety.

Like solving a puzzle, discovering the basic processes that drive your anxious feelings can help with selecting the best CBT strategies for your unique experience of anxiety.

Overwhelmed With Life
Anxiety
Discover the Essentials of CBT for Worrying

David A. Clark Ph.D. on March 22, 2024

Most of our worries never come true. But what about worry over serious real-life problems? Learning how to overcome this worry is an important part of thriving.

Most of our worries never come true. But what about worry over serious real-life problems? Learning how to overcome this worry is an important part of thriving.

Anxiety
Learn How Cognitive Behavioral Therapists Treat Worry

David A. Clark Ph.D. on February 4, 2024

How many times have you told yourself to "stop worrying," but it's no use? I'm going to present two highly effective strategies for gaining control over worry.

How many times have you told yourself to "stop worrying," but it's no use? I'm going to present two highly effective strategies for gaining control over worry.

Pessimism
How to Move Beyond 'Your Impossible'

David A. Clark Ph.D. on November 30, 2020

Move beyond the impossible by relinquishing old mental habits and discovering a more realistic present-focused way attitude toward life difficulties

Move beyond the impossible by relinquishing old mental habits and discovering a more realistic present-focused way attitude toward life difficulties

Anxiety
Does Your Anxiety Feel Oppressive?

David A. Clark Ph.D. on September 21, 2020

The shift from an anxious mind that focuses on threat and vulnerability to a healthy mind that values safety and resilience.

The shift from an anxious mind that focuses on threat and vulnerability to a healthy mind that values safety and resilience.

Fear
Media, Fear, and the Coronavirus Outbreak

David A. Clark Ph.D. on March 3, 2020

Are you afraid of disease and contamination? If so, the relentless barrage of coronavirus news could raise your anxiety level.

Are you afraid of disease and contamination? If so, the relentless barrage of coronavirus news could raise your anxiety level.

Anxiety
Are You an Overthinker?

David A. Clark Ph.D. on January 18, 2020

Some people are inclined to overthink their thoughts, feelings, and actions, causing a spike in anxiety, stress, and other negative emotions.

Some people are inclined to overthink their thoughts, feelings, and actions, causing a spike in anxiety, stress, and other negative emotions.

Pessimism
Negative Thoughts and the Mental Control Paradox

David A. Clark Ph.D. on December 15, 2019

When distressed, we struggle to control a barrage of negative thinking. It’s easy to assume that a failure in mental control means you have to try harder.

When distressed, we struggle to control a barrage of negative thinking. It’s easy to assume that a failure in mental control means you have to try harder.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
March 2025 magazine cover
March 2025
Are You Too Nice?

Being overly polite might seem kind, but it often leads to problems anyway, in relationships, with friends, and at work.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.