Anxiety

Disorders and difficulties Therapies and practical advice Perspectives and controversies

A woman on a laptop in a modern café with wall art, a large cactus and pendant lights above.

Worry and rumination

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What if your worry problem is really a planning problem?

Clinicians have long recognised the link between worry and planning. New research asks what this means for managing anxiety

by Paul B Sharp

A man observing a large, lifelike sculpture of an elderly man with a braid on a white gallery wall.

Psychoanalysis and the unconscious

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Men’s anxiety about hair loss can have a deeper meaning

As a psychoanalyst, I’ve seen how reflecting on the emotional symbolism of hair loss can be therapeutic for many men

by Tom Wooldridge

Photo of three people watching a wildfire on a hill at night with fire engines and flashing lights in the foreground.

Anxiety

guide

How to cope with climate anxiety

It’s normal to feel troubled by the climate crisis. These practices can help keep your response manageable and constructive

by Lucia Tecuta

Various ancient Greek and Roman statue fragments, including busts and limbs, playfully arranged in a circular pattern against a light background.

Anxiety

film

Self-honesty is crucial, life is weird – a tale of wisdom gained via panic attacks

Directed by Samira Mian

Photo of a beachside blackboard offering a humorous deal near a weathered pier, stating “£100 receipt given for every £10 spent.”

Anxiety

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If you think you are ‘just not a math person’ then think again

Understanding how mathematics anxiety takes root points to ways to overcome it, opening up new opportunities and pastimes

by Nathan T T Lau & H Moriah Sokolowski

Painting of a white egret on a branch with a gold leaf background and sparse branches extending across the scene.

Difficult emotions

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What to do when you’re feeling upset about being disliked

It’s an unavoidable part of life. Here are some tried and tested ways to get more comfortable with someone not liking you

by Ahona Guha

Photo of a woman and child talking, seen through glass with reflections of greenery outside.

Children’s difficulties

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How to help a child who can’t face school

Is your child anxious and reluctant to leave home in the morning? Here’s a compassionate plan to help them get back to school

by Anna Smout, Glenn Melvin & Marie Yap

Illustration of a woman with a short black hair wearing red panties clutching her chest in a black and white bathroom with a checkered floor, green plant, bath, sink, toilet, and red towel.

Ageing

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A single grey hair springs to life in a playful exploration of ageing anxiety

Directed by Eilidh Nicoll

Photo of a man in a yellow jacket opening a front door, with blinds on a window in a dimly lit room.

Anxiety

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What to do when your urge for reassurance has gone too far

The need for constant reassurance can show up like a persistent itch. Follow these steps for a more lasting peace of mind

by Matt Huston

Photo of people with luggage in a busy airport terminal looking up, possibly checking flight information on display boards.

Resilience and flexibility

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Why some people are at higher risk of ‘stress contagion’

Our stress levels don’t rise and fall in isolation. Grasping the social side of stress could help us manage it better

by Shihan Li

Photo of a chalkboard filled with various mathematical equations and numbers written in white chalk.

Learning and education

guide

How to beat maths anxiety

Getting stressed about maths is so common, yet there’s no need. With the right approach, you can even start enjoying it

by Shayla Love

A red hibiscus flower and green leaves are divided into four vertical panels against a blue background, overlaid by raindrop textures.

Anxiety

film

Climate fears make Sindha feel doomed. Can eco-therapy help?

Directed by Sindha Agha