Why We Worry

Stress

Can You Really Worry Yourself Sick?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on February 22, 2022

Worrying can weaken the immune system—but there are ways to prevent that from happening.

Worrying can weaken the immune system—but there are ways to prevent that from happening.

Anxiety

Intolerance of Uncertainty and the Curse of Worrying

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on October 15, 2021

Are you a chronic worrier? Then maybe you suffer from an intolerance of uncertainty.

Are you a chronic worrier? Then maybe you suffer from an intolerance of uncertainty.

Health

What’s Worrying Our College Students?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on April 6, 2021

Levels of stress and mental health problems reported by college students have been steadily increasing over the past 20 years.

Levels of stress and mental health problems reported by college students have been steadily increasing over the past 20 years.

Anxiety

The Psychology of Social Anxiety

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on December 28, 2020

People with social anxiety appear to have developed some very biased ways of thinking that maintain the anxiety over time.

People with social anxiety appear to have developed some very biased ways of thinking that maintain the anxiety over time.

Media

The Psychological Impact of Negative News

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on September 21, 2020

The tone of modern-day news has become increasingly emotive, it’s medium increasingly visual and shocking, and its commentaries increasingly negative and fear-laden.

The tone of modern-day news has become increasingly emotive, it’s medium increasingly visual and shocking, and its commentaries increasingly negative and fear-laden.

Embarrassment

To Blush or Not to Blush

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on June 22, 2020

Blush with confidence. There are likely to be more benefits than costs.

Blush with confidence. There are likely to be more benefits than costs.

OCD

OCD Contamination Fears and Your “Disgust” Emotion

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on March 22, 2020

If you have high disgust sensitivity, does it mean you’re likely to become significantly more anxious during the coronavirus pandemic?

If you have high disgust sensitivity, does it mean you’re likely to become significantly more anxious during the coronavirus pandemic?

OCD

The Psychology of OCD

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on December 3, 2019

Why do some people develop debilitating obsessions and compulsions?

Why do some people develop debilitating obsessions and compulsions?

Depression

Is Depression a 'Disease'?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on August 27, 2019

Do we run the risk of the ‘medicalization’ of normal negative emotions such as mild distress or even unhappiness?

Do we run the risk of the ‘medicalization’ of normal negative emotions such as mild distress or even unhappiness?

Fear

Where Did My Phobia of Heights Come From?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on May 20, 2019

Why are many millions of otherwise sane height phobics so scared of heights?

Why are many millions of otherwise sane height phobics so scared of heights?

Anxiety

Why Doesn't Worry Have An "Off" Switch?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on February 4, 2019

Worrying can often seem uncontrollable: we can’t stop it starting, it seems to make our worries worse rather than better, and we can’t seem to switch it off - why?

Worrying can often seem uncontrollable: we can’t stop it starting, it seems to make our worries worse rather than better, and we can’t seem to switch it off - why?

Anxiety

Is There An Anxiety Epidemic?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on November 6, 2018

In our modern era, we have a whole set of new and evolving anxieties and a growing awareness of anxiety as a potentially distressing and disabling state.

In our modern era, we have a whole set of new and evolving anxieties and a growing awareness of anxiety as a potentially distressing and disabling state.

Anxiety

Why Are We So Compulsive?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on August 7, 2018

Do many of us develop compulsions as a tool to manage the anxieties, demands, and stresses of the modern world?

Do many of us develop compulsions as a tool to manage the anxieties, demands, and stresses of the modern world?

Anxiety

Espresso to Stress-o: Coffee, Anxiety, and Panic

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on May 3, 2018

Caffeine is regularly used to provoke panic attacks in what are known as “biological challenge procedures” used in research on anxiety.

Caffeine is regularly used to provoke panic attacks in what are known as “biological challenge procedures” used in research on anxiety.

Anxiety

10 Tips for Managing Your Anxiety

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on February 1, 2018

These tips can help you keep an informed perspective on what anxiety is and provide some very basic dos and don’ts when it comes to managing your anxiety.

These tips can help you keep an informed perspective on what anxiety is and provide some very basic dos and don’ts when it comes to managing your anxiety.

Bullying

The Rise of Cyber-Victimization

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on November 16, 2017

Being bullied is a significant risk factor for subsequent social anxiety but bullying is changing. It’s moving from the schoolyard to the Internet.

Being bullied is a significant risk factor for subsequent social anxiety but bullying is changing. It’s moving from the schoolyard to the Internet.

Anxiety

What Is There to Worry About?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on August 18, 2017

At least half of our daily worries would’ve meant nothing in our parents’ era and are the product of new technologies and modern lifestyles.

At least half of our daily worries would’ve meant nothing in our parents’ era and are the product of new technologies and modern lifestyles.

Is there a relationship between parents micromanaging their kids and childhood anxiety?

Anxiety

Is Anxiety a Savior or a Killer?

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on March 3, 2017

Anxiety is often a distressing emotion, and one that feels debilitating rather than enabling. So what advantages does anxiety bring, if any?

Anxiety is often a distressing emotion, and one that feels debilitating rather than enabling. So what advantages does anxiety bring, if any?

Loneliness

Social Media, Loneliness, and Anxiety in Young People

Graham C.L. Davey Ph.D. on December 15, 2016

Even with a good-sized social network, users face added stressors and feelings of disconnectedness.

Even with a good-sized social network, users face added stressors and feelings of disconnectedness.