Am I Dying?

Anxiety

Why Panic Often Sends Us to Medical Specialists

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on August 4, 2026

Certain medical specialists are frequently visited by people who experience panic. The result can be "care-seeking" behaviors in which a person overresponds to physical sensations.

Certain medical specialists are frequently visited by people who experience panic. The result can be "care-seeking" behaviors in which a person overresponds to physical sensations.

Therapy

Blaming Therapists for Estrangement Misses the Mark

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on July 29, 2026

A recent article suggesting that therapists are to blame for rises in family estrangement incorrectly and unfairly impugns an entire profession. The truth is much more complicated.

A recent article suggesting that therapists are to blame for rises in family estrangement incorrectly and unfairly impugns an entire profession. The truth is much more complicated.

Anxiety

5 Things About Panic Attacks I Wish I Had Learned Earlier

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on July 20, 2026

I am a therapist who treats panic attacks, but I can also say I've lived them. These five lessons I wish I had learned sooner were vital to my recovery.

I am a therapist who treats panic attacks, but I can also say I've lived them. These five lessons I wish I had learned sooner were vital to my recovery.

Climate Anxiety

How to Grieve a Changing Planet

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on July 16, 2026

It is incumbent upon us to recognize, acknowledge, and understand the new manifestation of grief known as "eco-grief."

It is incumbent upon us to recognize, acknowledge, and understand the new manifestation of grief known as "eco-grief."

Depression

Politician's Leave of Absence Highlights a Systemic Problem

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on July 1, 2026

Congressman Tom Kean's recent leave of absence for depression reveals a staggering inequity in how the powerful receive mental health benefits compared to how the layperson does.

Congressman Tom Kean's recent leave of absence for depression reveals a staggering inequity in how the powerful receive mental health benefits compared to how the layperson does.

Burnout

'Hustle Culture' Is Leading Us to Burnout

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on June 28, 2026

Social media trends extolling the virtues of "optimization" and "maximization" may contribute to increased rates of burnout.

Social media trends extolling the virtues of "optimization" and "maximization" may contribute to increased rates of burnout.

Loneliness

"Loneliness Influencers" Are Sending a Dangerous Message

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on June 19, 2026

The "loneliness aesthetic" is trending social media but this romanization of isolation negates decades of psychological research highlighting the importance of human connection.

The "loneliness aesthetic" is trending social media but this romanization of isolation negates decades of psychological research highlighting the importance of human connection.

Artificial Intelligence

AI’s Use of Deceptive Empathy and How It Can Cause Harm

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on June 11, 2026

People are turning to AI chatbots for reassurance about medical concerns, but the type of empathy offered by AI is deceptive and can't reach the level of human or clinical empathy.

People are turning to AI chatbots for reassurance about medical concerns, but the type of empathy offered by AI is deceptive and can't reach the level of human or clinical empathy.

Therapy

Therapy for Men and the Power of Shared Experience

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on June 10, 2026

Spotlighting men's mental health is a good start, but there is much more we can do to ensure that men's mental health remains a topic that is taken seriously.

Spotlighting men's mental health is a good start, but there is much more we can do to ensure that men's mental health remains a topic that is taken seriously.

Emotion Regulation

The Psychology of Poetry: How Verse Can Foster Hope

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on May 20, 2026

Poetry addresses many of our most commonly experienced human challenges and has the power to foster resilience, hope, and healing.

Poetry addresses many of our most commonly experienced human challenges and has the power to foster resilience, hope, and healing.

Anxiety

What COVID Taught Us About Managing Hantavirus Anxiety

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on May 10, 2026

News of a new virus has spiked anxiety and triggered traumatic memories of COVID-19, but it is important to recognize that anxiety cannot differentiate between past and present.

News of a new virus has spiked anxiety and triggered traumatic memories of COVID-19, but it is important to recognize that anxiety cannot differentiate between past and present.

Biophilia

How Gardening Can Save Your Mental Health

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on May 6, 2026

Gardening is much more than a frivolous activity. Research shows that engaging in horticultural activities can have significant mental health benefits.

Gardening is much more than a frivolous activity. Research shows that engaging in horticultural activities can have significant mental health benefits.

Mental Health Stigma

New Poll Reveals Growing Concern About Mental Health

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on April 28, 2026

A recent poll reveals that we are now more worried about our mental health than we are about terminal illnesses like cancer. How did we get here, and what can we do about it?

A recent poll reveals that we are now more worried about our mental health than we are about terminal illnesses like cancer. How did we get here, and what can we do about it?

Sleep

Orthosomnia: Losing Sleep About Losing Sleep

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on March 19, 2026

The very technology that is designed to help us sleep may actually be doing the opposite. Orthosomnia is when fixation on perfect sleep actually disrupts sleep and causes anxiety.

The very technology that is designed to help us sleep may actually be doing the opposite. Orthosomnia is when fixation on perfect sleep actually disrupts sleep and causes anxiety.

Hypochondria

AI Adds a New Wrinkle to Cyberchondria

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on March 11, 2026

AI is changing the way people seek medical information. But its ability to instantly deliver symptom-analysis may pose a risk to those who experience health and illness anxiety.

AI is changing the way people seek medical information. But its ability to instantly deliver symptom-analysis may pose a risk to those who experience health and illness anxiety.

Attention

How to Start an Analog Hobby

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on March 5, 2026

Here are some important considerations for beginning an analog hobby.

Here are some important considerations for beginning an analog hobby.

Burnout

“Wellnessmaxxing": When Self-Care Leads to Burnout

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on March 3, 2026

Personal Perspective: The latest self-care trend presents a skewed picture of wellness and could lead to more burnout, fatigue, and exhaustion.

Personal Perspective: The latest self-care trend presents a skewed picture of wellness and could lead to more burnout, fatigue, and exhaustion.

Family Dynamics

No, Family Estrangement Is Not a “Trend”

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on February 20, 2026

Personal Perspective: Understanding the painful reality behind going "no contact."

Personal Perspective: Understanding the painful reality behind going "no contact."

Health

The Harm to Clients When Mental Health “Cures” are Promised

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on February 9, 2026

Personal Perspective: A recent statement by the Secretary of Health and Human Services highlights the dangers of promising "cures" or guarantees for psychological diagnoses.

Personal Perspective: A recent statement by the Secretary of Health and Human Services highlights the dangers of promising "cures" or guarantees for psychological diagnoses.

Emotion Regulation

Are You Numbing or Soothing? How to Tell the Difference

Phil Lane MSW, LCSW on February 6, 2026

In response to discomfort, numbing can be temporarily effective, but can have long-term drawbacks. Soothing is a more adaptive way to cope with discomfort.

In response to discomfort, numbing can be temporarily effective, but can have long-term drawbacks. Soothing is a more adaptive way to cope with discomfort.