Living with a Sticky Mind

Overcoming obsessive worry and unwanted intrusive thoughts

Martin Seif Ph.D. ABPP and Sally Winston Psy.D.

Behind Chronic Indecisiveness: The Fear of Regret

Anxiety about making a choice you might later regret can stop you from making future choices and enjoying the ones you have already made.

Why Some People Just Can't Make Up Their Minds

For those with chronic indecisiveness. the uncertainty inherent in every decision creates doubts that lead to delay, avoidance, and procrastination.

Behind Chronic Indecisiveness: Perfectionism

Does your drive towards perfectionism paralyze you and turn decision-making into an agonizing experience?

Chronic Indecisiveness: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Can't make up your mind? Chronic indecisiveness is more than ordinary indecision, and there are several reasons why it might be stopping you.

Anticipatory Anxiety: Bleeding Before You Are Cut

Do you fear and shy away from future events, actions, or decisions? Anticipatory anxiety is the culprit, but there's a way to overcome it.

Therapeutic Surrender: Pandemic Edition

Uncertainty is rampant in the pandemic age. Therapeutic surrender is one of the most helpful ways to keep going.

Disorders of the Ironic Process

Sometimes trying too hard is the cause of the problem.

The (Temporary) Upside of the Downside

Are you already feeling the stress of reopening? You are in good company.

The Family Tangle: A Reassurance Trap You'd Like to Avoid

Are you trapped in repetitive, unhelpful, and anxiety-raising interactions with the people you love the most? Find out what causes this and how to free yourself.

Anxiety Coping Tools Can Backfire: It's Not Your Fault

Not getting the relief you need with anxiety coping skills? They aren’t the complete answer. The attitude with which skills are applied makes a crucial difference.

When Reassurance Seeking Becomes Compulsive

Don't let reassurance-seeking get the better of you. Avoid the "Reassurance Trap" and tame your inner reassurance junkie.

Do You Have Doubts About Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts?

Do you doubt whether your "stuck" thought is an intrusive thought? Remember that Intrusive Thoughts can "morph" and "go meta."

Why Is the Content of Intrusive Thoughts So Awful?

Many intrusive thoughts have horrible content. You probably wouldn't guess the simple reason why that is so.

Surviving the News When You Have a Sticky Mind

Are you crazed by the headlines? Climate change? Impeachment? Terrorism? Mass shootings? Border security? A sticky mind makes it all the worse.

Getting Over Your Fear of Flying

If your "flight fright" gets the best of you, this could help you get off the ground more comfortably.

Nine Myths that Contribute to Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

Busting these myths about thinking will help keep thoughts from turning into unwanted intrusive thoughts.

Wise Mind and Therapeutic Surrender

If your anxiety "management" techniques aren't doing it for you, here's a better approach.

False Comfort: Why “Think Positive” Doesn't Work

If your "coping tools" aren't working, here's an explanation.

Three Voices of the Mind: Deconstructing Worry

Learning about your natural "voices" will help you manage your worries.

Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

Are you bothered by unwanted intrusive thoughts? Here's how to overcome them.

What a Sticky Mind Means

If you have a sticky mind, you are probably living with lots of catastrophic and worry thoughts. Find out what a sticky mind means, and how to become less of a worrywart.