My Most Popular Posts From 9 Years Here

Toni Bernhard J.D. on March 11, 2020 in Turning Straw Into Gold

I always celebrate my anniversary of writing for "Psychology Today" with a post that offers some of my past pieces for reading (or re-reading).

I always celebrate my anniversary of writing for "Psychology Today" with a post that offers some of my past pieces for reading (or re-reading).

When a Fetus Turns to Stone

Robert D. Martin Ph.D. on March 5, 2020 in How We Do It

Pregnancy in the abdomen outside the womb is life-threatening, but not always fatal without surgery. In very rare cases, a dead fetus becomes calcified.

Pregnancy in the abdomen outside the womb is life-threatening, but not always fatal without surgery. In very rare cases, a dead fetus becomes calcified.

5 Ways a Painful Past Influences Chronic Pain

Evan Parks Psy.D. on March 3, 2020 in Pain Rehabilitation

Does your childhood trauma increase your risk of developing chronic pain in adulthood? Understanding how stress impacts development is key.

Does your childhood trauma increase your risk of developing chronic pain in adulthood? Understanding how stress impacts development is key.

Forgiveness Is a Learned Skill

David Hanscom, MD on February 28, 2020 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Forgiveness is not an intellectual exercise. It requires learning skills to allow yourself to feel the anger and then release it.

Forgiveness is not an intellectual exercise. It requires learning skills to allow yourself to feel the anger and then release it.

Chronic Pain Has No Known Cure, but Can We Treat It?

Rachel Zoffness Ph.D. on February 26, 2020 in Pain, Explained

Expert tips and tools for navigating one of life's most difficult experiences.

Expert tips and tools for navigating one of life's most difficult experiences.

Does “Mindful Acceptance” Reduce Pain and Negative Emotions?

Christopher Bergland on February 20, 2020 in The Athlete's Way

Did Lennon-McCartney unwittingly give us advice about reducing pain in the "Let It Be" lyrics? A fMRI study suggests that mindful acceptance down-regulates pain.

Did Lennon-McCartney unwittingly give us advice about reducing pain in the "Let It Be" lyrics? A fMRI study suggests that mindful acceptance down-regulates pain.

Heartache and Hurt

Sarah B. Woods Ph.D., LMFT on February 12, 2020 in In Sickness and in Health

The quality of our close relationships affects how we feel. This may be especially true in the case of chronic pain.

The quality of our close relationships affects how we feel. This may be especially true in the case of chronic pain.

You’re. Not. Crazy.

Evan Parks Psy.D. on January 30, 2020 in Pain Rehabilitation

How many times are diagnostic tests run on patients with chronic pain that all come back “normal” or “inconclusive?” Does this mean pain is simply psychological? No, it does not.

How many times are diagnostic tests run on patients with chronic pain that all come back “normal” or “inconclusive?” Does this mean pain is simply psychological? No, it does not.

Affirmations and Neuroplasticity

David Hanscom, MD on January 30, 2020 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Affirmations can help us to develop a more optimistic way of looking at ourselves and our experiences.  

Affirmations can help us to develop a more optimistic way of looking at ourselves and our experiences.  

Empowered Relief: Meeting the Needs of a Nation in Pain

Beth Darnall PhD on January 29, 2020 in Empowered Relief

Brief and digital treatments are integrating psychology into pain care, and helping people gain empowered relief.

Brief and digital treatments are integrating psychology into pain care, and helping people gain empowered relief.

Self-Preservation: A Parenting Lesson from Squirrels

Rachael Coakley Ph.D. on January 28, 2020 in When Your Child Hurts

Parents want to fix their child first and focus on themselves later. “I know I need a break, BUT…” is the chorus of every parent running on fumes.

Parents want to fix their child first and focus on themselves later. “I know I need a break, BUT…” is the chorus of every parent running on fumes.

Dashed Hopes–“The Pit of Despair”

David Hanscom, MD on January 25, 2020 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Medicine is offering many treatments that are of no proven benefit. In addition to being expensive and often risky, there is the additional fallout of inducing depression.

Medicine is offering many treatments that are of no proven benefit. In addition to being expensive and often risky, there is the additional fallout of inducing depression.

The Disturbing Rise in Benzodiazepine Prescriptions

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on January 23, 2020 in Side Effects

Are benzodiazepines helping to fuel the opioid crisis?

Are benzodiazepines helping to fuel the opioid crisis?

Surprising Signs of Fibromyalgia You May Not Be Looking For

Evan Parks Psy.D. on January 22, 2020 in Pain Rehabilitation

How do you know if your pain symptoms are related to fibromyalgia? Asking the right questions is essential for getting the help you need.

How do you know if your pain symptoms are related to fibromyalgia? Asking the right questions is essential for getting the help you need.

A Surprising Solution to Address Chronic Pain

David Hanscom, MD on January 21, 2020 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Shift your focus off of the problem and onto the solution. Your brain will respond with neuroplastic changes and allow you to thrive.

Shift your focus off of the problem and onto the solution. Your brain will respond with neuroplastic changes and allow you to thrive.

Plagued by Persistent Pain or Depression

Denise Winn on January 20, 2020 in Helping Humanity Thrive

The possible price of not following your heart.

The possible price of not following your heart.

New Clues That Help Explain Chronic Pain

Evan Parks Psy.D. on January 15, 2020 in Pain Rehabilitation

Where do you turn for help when back surgery fails to provide pain relief or improved functioning? Neuroscience can help you recover.

Where do you turn for help when back surgery fails to provide pain relief or improved functioning? Neuroscience can help you recover.

Mental Health Is More Critical Than Physical Health

David Hanscom, MD on January 15, 2020 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Chronic stress creates sustained elevations of survival hormones that affect every cell in your body, resulting in more than 30 possible symptoms.

Chronic stress creates sustained elevations of survival hormones that affect every cell in your body, resulting in more than 30 possible symptoms.

Chronic Illness and the Doctor-Patient Relationship

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on January 14, 2020 in Chronically Me

If you live with chronic illness, interactions with your doctor can make or break your quality of life. Learn how to evaluate and maximize this crucial relationship.

If you live with chronic illness, interactions with your doctor can make or break your quality of life. Learn how to evaluate and maximize this crucial relationship.

Making Chronic Pain Optional

Evan Parks Psy.D. on January 8, 2020 in Pain Rehabilitation

Most people automatically assume passing a kidney stone is going to be painful. But why do we assume this? Is it possible for pain like this to be optional?

Most people automatically assume passing a kidney stone is going to be painful. But why do we assume this? Is it possible for pain like this to be optional?

3 Ways to Overcome Negative Thoughts Associated With Pain

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT on January 8, 2020 in Psychologically-Informed Approaches to Pain Management

How can we overcome negative thoughts associated with pain?

How can we overcome negative thoughts associated with pain?

Is Altruism an Analgesic? 

Christopher Bergland on January 5, 2020 in The Athlete's Way

Altruistic behaviors may relieve physical pain, according to a new study.

Altruistic behaviors may relieve physical pain, according to a new study.

Should Anxiety Remain a Stand-Alone Disorder in the DSM?

David Hanscom, MD on January 3, 2020 in Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

All living creatures have an anxiety response that enables survival. Humans call it anxiety, and it drives most psychological diagnoses. Should it be considered separately?

All living creatures have an anxiety response that enables survival. Humans call it anxiety, and it drives most psychological diagnoses. Should it be considered separately?

Research Uncovers Potential Treatment for Chronic Pain

Rachel Zoffness Ph.D. on January 2, 2020 in Pain, Explained

A new study finds that treatments connecting brain with body are effective for reducing opioid-treated pain.

A new study finds that treatments connecting brain with body are effective for reducing opioid-treated pain.

Open Letter to My Doctor (and Yours)

Marty Klein Ph.D. on December 31, 2019 in Sexual Intelligence

What should your physician, physical therapist, dentist, pain specialist, and other health care providers ask you about—but generally don't?

What should your physician, physical therapist, dentist, pain specialist, and other health care providers ask you about—but generally don't?

Redefining Uninspiring New Year's Resolutions

Joshua Wilder on December 30, 2019 in Disability In Motion

Sometimes the motivation to make a resolution and stick to it is just not present, especially for those experiencing difficulties in their life. Reframing your resolutions can help.

Sometimes the motivation to make a resolution and stick to it is just not present, especially for those experiencing difficulties in their life. Reframing your resolutions can help.

Nature Heals, Restores, and Comforts

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on December 23, 2019 in Moral Landscapes

New research is showing the healing power of green light.

New research is showing the healing power of green light.

Psychologically Informed Approaches to Pain

Joe Tatta, PT, DPT on December 17, 2019 in Psychologically-Informed Approaches to Pain Management

Where do people turn for safe and effective treatments to live a healthier life with less pain?

Where do people turn for safe and effective treatments to live a healthier life with less pain?

Pregnancy and Chronic Illness

Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW on December 16, 2019 in Chronically Me

Pregnancy is a time of emotional challenge and growth. Chronic illness can affect this journey.

Pregnancy is a time of emotional challenge and growth. Chronic illness can affect this journey.

Intuitive Nutrition Principles to Feel and Perform Well

Nootralize - Cognitive Enhancement on December 16, 2019 in Experience Engineering

When and what you eat can increase or reduce your quality and quantity of life. This article regards the thinking behind how I eat for physical and mental health and performance.

When and what you eat can increase or reduce your quality and quantity of life. This article regards the thinking behind how I eat for physical and mental health and performance.