Don’t worry, get attention training

Programs designed to alter a habitual focus on potential threats show promise in treating two common anxiety ailments

For those who constantly worry about imagined catastrophes or freak out around others, here’s an attention-grabber. A few brief training sessions offer as much anxiety relief as psychotherapy or medication, at least for four months, two new studies find.

Attention training helps subjects practice how not to focus on threatening words or on photos of threatening faces.