Here are a few questions to consider about this topic: In what areas of your life are you most sensitive to uncertainty? Does the feeling of uncertainty make it difficult for you to identify how you can take responsibility? That is, does uncertainty make you feel like you don’t have the ability to respond when …
Good exposure and response prevention is like the fun and playful part of childhood. What comes to mind for you? Young kids practice winning. Try playing cards with a four-year-old. They can’t wait to show you what they can do. First, they change the rules. Then, they change the game. It’s always fun because they …
I described the nature of intolerance of uncertainty in my last post. Let’s talk more about shifting your interpretation of uncertainty to opportunity, rather than fear. When you’re feeling very anxious, it’s normal to attend to your anxious sensations, uncomfortable feelings, and catastrophic thoughts over everything else. You are not being selfish or going crazy. The …
Intolerance of uncertainty and exposure to uncertainty as an opportunityRead More »
Intolerance of uncertainty is the tendency to react negatively on an emotional, cognitive, and behavioral level to uncertain situations and events. There are two beliefs that maintain Intolerance of Uncertainty 1) Uncertainty has negative behavioral implications for me and means something bad. 2) Uncertainty is unfair and spoils everything. I shouldn’t feel uncertain. There are …
The role of intolerance of uncertainty in all anxiety disordersRead More »