Selective Attention
Anxiety vs Suffering
Thought-Action Fusion
Imperfect Friend
Automatic Thoughts
The Anxiety Cycle
Process Over Outcome
Productive vs Unproductive Worry
Mental Reps
Perfectionism to Self-Compassion
“Just Think Positive”
Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast
Externalize Anxiety
Perfecting Anxiety
Thought Defusion
Acceptance vs White Knuckling it
Shifting to the Present and the External
Keeping Anxiety on its Leash
Intrusive Thoughts
Safety Behaviors
Rumination is Active
Reassurance Seeking
Challenging Thoughts Too Much
Out of Control
Catastrophizing
Insight and Anxiety
Anxiety is Normal
Short-Term Comfort
Anxiety Loves to Stay Vague
No Fear
The Child Brain, The Parent Brain, & The Grandparent Brain
Reassurance Seeking
On the surface, reassurance seeking seems harmless. In reality, it’s anxiety’s fuel.
Getting reassurance that a fear won’t come true is like a drug: We need more of it to get the same level of calming effects as before.
It’s important to remember, reassurance seeking is a form of avoidance and reinforces the anxiety cycle.
Anxiety will lie and tell us a different story though:
- “Reassurance = self-care”
- “What’s so bad about getting support from a friend?”
- “This time is different, we need reassurance because…”
- “Just one more time. Getting reassurance this way will be the answer we need”
If your intention for seeking out reassurance is to get the truth, arrive at a conclusion, accept uncertainty and take action, then this is likely helpful long-term. However, if the main intention is to reduce anxiety, its discomfort, and attempt to find certainty, more often than not, it’s reassurance seeking and will reinforce the anxiety long-term.
Subscribe
Weekly thoughts on anxiety + Event updates
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Understanding & Calming Panic Attacks
Overcoming Worry & Rumination
Helping Kiddos Stand Up to Anxiety
Reassurance Seeking
On the surface, reassurance seeking seems harmless. In reality, it’s anxiety’s fuel.
Getting reassurance that a fear won’t come true is like a drug: We need more of it to get the same level of calming effects as before.
It’s important to remember, reassurance seeking is a form of avoidance and reinforces the anxiety cycle.
Anxiety will lie and tell us a different story though:
- “Reassurance = self-care”
- “What’s so bad about getting support from a friend?”
- “This time is different, we need reassurance because…”
- “Just one more time. Getting reassurance this way will be the answer we need”
If your intention for seeking out reassurance is to get the truth, arrive at a conclusion, accept uncertainty and take action, then this is likely helpful long-term. However, if the main intention is to reduce anxiety, its discomfort, and attempt to find certainty, more often than not, it’s reassurance seeking and will reinforce the anxiety long-term.
Subscribe
Weekly thoughts on anxiety + Event updates
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact