Psychology Today | 01.05.2026 18:43
Worry can be like the crack cocaine of anxiety. Once you get sucked into it, you cannot stop. It feels like you are thinking about important things even though it makes you feel miserable. You crave an answer and spend time searching the Internet, trying to get a firm response, and asking your friends. You can only stop worrying about the worst-case scenario when you get that firm answer. Then you feel fine, until the next “What if?” only to repeat the cycle. Chances are, you also feel irritable, overwhelmed, and unable to get restful sleep each time you get trapped by “What ifs." You might even have fellow worry friends who affirm your concerns and reassurance-seeking, under the advice of “better safe than sorry!” Why not check that spot on your shoulder, tell your kids to play only in the neighbor’s front yard, watch your child cook with eggs, or confirm with your friend if they’re truly not upset?
