Dear Dr. Hurd: What’s the difference between shame and embarrassment? And does a highly confident person with self-esteem ever experience shame? Dr. Hurd’s reply: Embarrassment is an emotional state of intense discomfort with oneself, experienced upon having a socially unacceptable … Continue reading
It’s a mistake to look for ‘the techniques’ to make you break a bad habit—drinking, overeating, or whatever it is. There’s an error in asking the question, ‘What steps can I take to break my habit?’ The question implies that … Continue reading
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said the Obama administration has created a “culture of intimidation” with its widespread misuse of government power to target and intimidate its political foes. Speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday, the Florida Republican said reports … Continue reading
One of the things I don’t understand is the reason most often given for not wanting a divorce. Or similarly, the way people look back on their former marriage as a “failure.” In reality, this usually isn’t true. Most often, … Continue reading
The Obama Justice Department secretly obtained two months of telephone records of reporters and editors for The Associated Press in what the news cooperative’s top executive called a “massive and unprecedented intrusion” into how news organizations gather the news. The … Continue reading
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY., is demanding President Obama order a complete review of his administration in the light of the IRS revealing Friday that it had targeted conservative groups that included the words ‘tea party’ or ‘patriot’ in … Continue reading
In response to my article on the Ariel Castro torture/kidnappings in Ohio [‘Her Father the Monster’], a reader wrote the following: Dear Dr. Hurd: You wrote in your article, “Aside from torturing innocent people, he [Ariel Castro] betrayed her [his … Continue reading
Ohio prosecutors say they may seek the death penalty against Ariel Castro, the Cleveland man charged with the kidnap and rape of three women he brutalized for a decade while reportedly inducing abortions in at least one of the captives. … Continue reading
‘It’s not true unless someone else knows it or sees it.’ Actually, most would dispute this statement. But it’s surprising how many proceed or react as if it were true. Got a good grade on a test? Accomplished something special … Continue reading
Legitimate, rational judgment is the exercise of forming and holding opinions about individuals and situations based upon objective observation of the facts of reality, including generalizations based upon consistent observation of those very facts. The extent to which you allow … Continue reading
Most people with hoarding issues are not living in mile-high piles of junk, like you see on the television shows about hoarding. Nevertheless, hoarding tendencies are somewhat prevalent. The psychology behind hoarding is one of ‘holding on.’ People hold on … Continue reading
Why do people hold on to dysfunctional relationships? I’m talking about friendship or romance here. The latter is obviously more intense, but I find many of the issues are the same with both. The two most common reasons people hold … Continue reading