Think Well

Sociopathy

When Is It OK to 'Fake It Till You Make It'?

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on January 8, 2023

Sometimes faking our way forward can help us connect with feelings of authenticity in those actions. In other contexts, faking knowledge or understanding is toxic.

Sometimes faking our way forward can help us connect with feelings of authenticity in those actions. In other contexts, faking knowledge or understanding is toxic.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Why Traditional Psychotherapy Led to CBT, Which Spawned DBT

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on September 28, 2022

Traditional psychotherapy is at best benign, while psychological treatments grounded in actual science are highly effective and time-efficient, and produce lasting change.

Traditional psychotherapy is at best benign, while psychological treatments grounded in actual science are highly effective and time-efficient, and produce lasting change.

Stress

How to Have a Balanced and Stress-Resistant Life

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on August 31, 2022

Here are three ingredients that are strongly associated with happiness, health, and a balanced life. They are the legs of a "tripod" that provide great strength and stability for us.

Here are three ingredients that are strongly associated with happiness, health, and a balanced life. They are the legs of a "tripod" that provide great strength and stability for us.

Depression

Are You Depressed or Just Realistic?

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on August 23, 2022

Many people seek mental health treatment because they feel anxious and depressed. But what's troubling them is not an actual condition. Rather, it's often simply realism.

Many people seek mental health treatment because they feel anxious and depressed. But what's troubling them is not an actual condition. Rather, it's often simply realism.

Anxiety

Why Some People Get More Anxious When They Try to Relax

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on June 26, 2022

Telling someone they could benefit from relaxation is like telling them to take a painkiller. Which one? And so it is with relaxation: Which kind?

Telling someone they could benefit from relaxation is like telling them to take a painkiller. Which one? And so it is with relaxation: Which kind?

Trust

Is Misinformation Worse Than COVID?

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on May 29, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Misinformation is rampantly spread and has probably made the death toll of COVID-19 worse.

A Personal Perspective: Misinformation is rampantly spread and has probably made the death toll of COVID-19 worse.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The Triumvirate of Modern-Day Psychological Therapy

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on April 30, 2022

Most physicists know who pioneered the workings of atoms, innovated quantum mechanics, and led the Manhattan Project. But very few therapists know on whose shoulders they stand.

Most physicists know who pioneered the workings of atoms, innovated quantum mechanics, and led the Manhattan Project. But very few therapists know on whose shoulders they stand.

Anxiety

5 Easy Ways to Break the Grip of Anxiety

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

Whether you are actively seeking anxiety management, or are part of the majority of people who do not seek assistance, here are five proven techniques to break anxiety’s grip.

Whether you are actively seeking anxiety management, or are part of the majority of people who do not seek assistance, here are five proven techniques to break anxiety’s grip.

Mentalization-Based Therapy

Is the Problem Chemistry or Character?

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on February 27, 2022

In mental health, there are correctable conditions, like depression, as well as harder-to-treat personality disorders such as narcissism that are more like "faulty wiring."

In mental health, there are correctable conditions, like depression, as well as harder-to-treat personality disorders such as narcissism that are more like "faulty wiring."

Denial

Covid: Denial and Defiance Can Lead to Death

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on January 30, 2022

Denial is not always a bad or dangerous thing. But when it comes to matters of personal health and public safety, it can be extremely dangerous.

Denial is not always a bad or dangerous thing. But when it comes to matters of personal health and public safety, it can be extremely dangerous.

Relationships

Why Do We Grieve Our Pets Yet Harm Other Animals?

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on December 29, 2021

Commentary: Despite forming profoundly loving connections with our pets that lead us to deeply mourn and grieve their deaths, humans can still treat many other animals with shocking cruelty.

Commentary: Despite forming profoundly loving connections with our pets that lead us to deeply mourn and grieve their deaths, humans can still treat many other animals with shocking cruelty.

Diet

Why Losing Weight Can Be Bad for Your Health

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on November 22, 2021

Ironically, most people gain extra body fat the more they diet. Here's why and how to avoid being one of them.

Ironically, most people gain extra body fat the more they diet. Here's why and how to avoid being one of them.

Aging

How to Stop Wasting Time

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on October 30, 2021

Time is the only form of human capital that is absolutely irreplaceable, and it becomes increasingly precious the more we spend.

Time is the only form of human capital that is absolutely irreplaceable, and it becomes increasingly precious the more we spend.

Self-Help

How Much of Our Life Is Controllable?

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Unfortunately, it seems much of what happens to us in life is beyond our influence. There may only be three things we can actually control.

Unfortunately, it seems much of what happens to us in life is beyond our influence. There may only be three things we can actually control.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Why Myths and Misconceptions About COVID-19 Vaccines Abound

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on August 24, 2021

Denying scientific facts such as the incredible safety and efficacy of vaccines, and that climate disruption will devastate our way of life and imperil our species, is not wise.

Denying scientific facts such as the incredible safety and efficacy of vaccines, and that climate disruption will devastate our way of life and imperil our species, is not wise.

OCD

Three Easy Ways To Loosen the Grip of OCD

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on July 31, 2021

How to significantly weaken OCD's grip without immediately undertaking the very challenging intervention of ERP.

How to significantly weaken OCD's grip without immediately undertaking the very challenging intervention of ERP.

Parenting

When to Stop Parenting and Just Be a Parent

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on June 28, 2021

Being a parent is probably the most awesome and responsible job anyone could have. But as it's often said, "Kids don't come with instruction manuals." But here's a helpful tip.

Being a parent is probably the most awesome and responsible job anyone could have. But as it's often said, "Kids don't come with instruction manuals." But here's a helpful tip.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

What Is an Eclectic Psychotherapist?

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on June 6, 2021

Eclectic therapists use a variety of methods and techniques, rather than adhering to a specific school of psychological treatment. Here's why that's not always a good thing.

Eclectic therapists use a variety of methods and techniques, rather than adhering to a specific school of psychological treatment. Here's why that's not always a good thing.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

What the CDC Has All Wrong

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on April 30, 2021

The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a disturbing error in the CDC's current charter that is reflected in the medical healthcare system.

The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a disturbing error in the CDC's current charter that is reflected in the medical healthcare system.

Cognitive Dissonance

Actions Speak Louder Than Words In Therapy, Too

Clifford N. Lazarus Ph.D. on March 30, 2021

Here’s why you can’t simply think your way out of, or be talked out of, unhappiness and anxiety.

Here’s why you can’t simply think your way out of, or be talked out of, unhappiness and anxiety.