Feeling Good

Grief

When Love Masquerades as Depression

David Burns M.D. on April 10, 2026

After a tragic accident, Jim struggled with severe guilt and depression for nine years, until a shift in perspective began his emotional healing.

After a tragic accident, Jim struggled with severe guilt and depression for nine years, until a shift in perspective began his emotional healing.

Therapy

Conquering Social Anxiety: The Courage to Reach Out

David Burns M.D. on April 9, 2026

A powerful executive lived in constant terror of social contact. A radical therapeutic assignment transformed his life.

A powerful executive lived in constant terror of social contact. A radical therapeutic assignment transformed his life.

Shame

Shame Attacking: Overcoming a Lifetime of Social Anxiety

David Burns M.D. on April 8, 2026

A handsome man, crippled by social anxiety, believed his sweating made him repulsive. During therapy, I asked him to do something radical: make a public spectacle of himself on purpose.

A handsome man, crippled by social anxiety, believed his sweating made him repulsive. During therapy, I asked him to do something radical: make a public spectacle of himself on purpose.

Trauma

When Trauma Still Hurts: Memory Rescripting

David Burns M.D. on March 17, 2026

When fear is rooted in memories of helplessness, working only in the present may not be enough. The memory rescripting technique can sometimes lead to fast and lasting recovery.

When fear is rooted in memories of helplessness, working only in the present may not be enough. The memory rescripting technique can sometimes lead to fast and lasting recovery.

Trauma

A New Model for Treating Trauma

David Burns M.D. on February 17, 2026

A moving case suggests that severe, complex trauma can sometimes be addressed by changing beliefs and testing fears in the present moment—not reliving the past.

A moving case suggests that severe, complex trauma can sometimes be addressed by changing beliefs and testing fears in the present moment—not reliving the past.

Therapy

The Moment You’re in Matters More Than the One You Remember

David Burns M.D. on January 29, 2026

New data suggest healing doesn’t require reliving the past. When present-moment thoughts change, even long histories of depression and anxiety can fade quickly.

New data suggest healing doesn’t require reliving the past. When present-moment thoughts change, even long histories of depression and anxiety can fade quickly.

Placebo

How Scientists Finally Learned to Measure the Placebo Effect

David Burns M.D. on January 27, 2026

How can we tell if a depression treatment works beyond placebo? A new real-world method measuring placebo shows that expectation matters, but cognitive change matters far more.

How can we tell if a depression treatment works beyond placebo? A new real-world method measuring placebo shows that expectation matters, but cognitive change matters far more.

Placebo

What If the Real Antidepressant Is You?

David Burns M.D. on January 14, 2026

What if the biggest driver of the antidepressant “effect” isn’t the drug, but your expectation? Learn why the placebo effect can create real change and what it means for recovery.

What if the biggest driver of the antidepressant “effect” isn’t the drug, but your expectation? Learn why the placebo effect can create real change and what it means for recovery.

DSM

Is It Time for a New Approach to Emotional Suffering?

David Burns M.D. on December 20, 2025

DSM diagnoses can be useful. But they can also pathologize normal emotions, and the line between "healthy" and "disordered" is rarely as clear as they suggest. Emerging research points to a possible alternative.

DSM diagnoses can be useful. But they can also pathologize normal emotions, and the line between "healthy" and "disordered" is rarely as clear as they suggest. Emerging research points to a possible alternative.

Anxiety

The Myth of Slow Healing

David Burns M.D. on November 5, 2025

Think change takes years? Discover why rapid recovery from depression and anxiety isn’t a miracle or a con. It’s how your brain is wired to heal.

Think change takes years? Discover why rapid recovery from depression and anxiety isn’t a miracle or a con. It’s how your brain is wired to heal.

Depression

“I’m Worthless”: The Thought That Nearly Killed Her

David Burns M.D. on July 28, 2025

One Holocaust survivor's homework assignment shows how thoughts can create feelings.

One Holocaust survivor's homework assignment shows how thoughts can create feelings.

Depression

What Causes Depression? Research Confirms Ancient Wisdom

David Burns M.D. on March 25, 2025

Transformation may be possible using an automated device.

Transformation may be possible using an automated device.

Artificial Intelligence

Digital Empathy May Outperform Humans

David Burns M.D. on January 3, 2025

Can digital empathy rival human connection in mental health treatment? AI-powered conversational framework shows promise in reversing negative thinking.

Can digital empathy rival human connection in mental health treatment? AI-powered conversational framework shows promise in reversing negative thinking.