How scary is it really?
Research on frightening but fun experiences offers some encouragement for those of us who prefer to know what’s ahead
by Matt Huston
Fear and phobia
The neural reward that makes avoiding your fears feel so good
We’re told that facing our fears can help us overcome them – but this misses the other intoxicating part of the equation
by Muhammad Badarnee & Mohammed R Milad
My husband, the gun nut
Three years into a blissful relationship, my partner picked up a hobby that sent me spiralling
by Lindsey Harrington
Gun world
Is it possible to feel grief and survivor’s guilt after a mass shooting that didn’t occur?
by Jess Keefe
Fears about being a dangerous or immoral person can fuel OCD
Intrusive thoughts about doing bad things are common, but for people with OCD they provoke deep fears about the self
by Richard Moulding & Kelvin (Shiu Fung) Wong
Exposure
Wracked with unknown fear, I’d never been able to sleep through the night. Then I went scuba diving
by Lindsay Lee Wallace
A wool puppet’s stirring journey from safety into the great unknown
A film by Kobi Vogman
As a society, we’re not death phobic, we’re death complacent
Our culture is routinely diagnosed with an excessive fear of mortality. A calm look at the evidence tells a different story
by Ingemar Patrick Linden
To fear well is virtuous and more important than being brave
Fear is not the enemy, but a real and legitimate emotion. To truly support another in their fear, let them give it a voice
by Ami Harbin
How to defuse catastrophic thoughts
Do you often fear the worst is going to happen? Use these therapeutic techniques to think more rationally and calmly
by Lucia Tecuta
How to get more comfortable with death
Angst about mortality is part of being human, but if it’s interfering with your life, there are proven ways to dial it down
by Rachel Menzies
How to handle paranoid thoughts
Feel like you’re being watched, judged or talked about? These exercises will help you assess the situation and calm your mind
by Antonella Trotta
How to deal with bullying from your past
The effects of being bullied can linger for decades, but it’s never too late to heal and reclaim your place in the world
by Stacee Reicherzer
How to tell whether you’re being careful or giving in to anxiety
It’s not always easy to tell what’s a sensible safeguard, and what’s an anxiety-fuelling habit. A few questions can help
by Jemma Todd, Amelia Scott, Rachel Menzies & Louise Sharpe
Behind the scenes at an ‘exposure’ flight for flying phobia
A single-session, exposure-based treatment for large groups could help bring evidence-based psychotherapy to the masses
by André Wannemüller
What my patient with paranoia taught me about fear and humanity
John was a paranoid patient who sat in my therapy room and scared me – until I realised I was not without paranoia myself
by Patricia Steckler