Reading Roundup | April 30, 2021

Posted April 30, 2021

Another week, another crop of articles on anxiety.

• “Our Obsession With Achievement Is Fueling Anxiety” — Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD, Psychology Today (4/25/2021) [article]

  Although many of us have likely felt this as adults, this article discusses in particular the effects of the pressure to achieve on youth. This discussion is not surprising, given recent coverage of how much emphasis is put on high achievement at a young age, and the increasingly demanding standards for college admission. Dr. Tsatiris offers alternative options for thinking about achievement and success.

• “Of Course You’re Anxious about Returning to Normal Life” — Sigal Samuel, Vox (4/28/2021) [article]

  This article looks at anxiety about returning to “normal life,” or something resembling pre-COVID life, as a result of two types of fears: the fear of what we are not (or are no longer) used to and the fear of returning to a system that some of us have discovered is unjust. With CBT, we know that understanding why we feel anxious about something is an important part of feeling better. If you’ve been feeling anxious about the idea of returning to “normal” but can’t really put your finger on why, this article may be helpful.

• “Covid-19: Preparing to Leave Lockdown with Social Anxiety” — Gerald Lennon, BBC News NI (4/26/2021) [article]

  Like the above article, this one looks at anxiety around coming out of our current restricted status, specifically for those with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). A particularly interesting aspect of this article is that it highlights how the COVID-induced lockdowns around the world were actually positive for some people. Just as we had to adapt due to COVID-19, we will have to adapt after it is no longer the major concern that it currently is.