I’m rather startled by the number of perfectly reasonable people who think they might be “crazy” and, because I’m a therapist by profession, will see that they are “crazy.” Crazy refers to psychosis, meaning a complete break with a recognition … Continue reading
Self-esteem is the most important aspect of mental health. Without self-esteem, how can you expect to live your life free of anxiety, depression, or general angst? I don’t see where positive thinking comes from unless you are happy about yourself. … Continue reading
Our politicians and so-called leaders are always bragging about how they are “not ideological” and care about “actions, not principles.” This is true of the current President as well as the last one, so it’s not a partisan issue. It’s … Continue reading
“I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” This is a quote from Judge Sonia Sotomayor, … Continue reading
Do you ever notice how whenever there’s a problem or disaster of some kind, the question is always, “Should something be done about it?” What the question actually means is: “What should the government do about it?” What I want … Continue reading
Working for the happiness of others cheats others out of the process of achieving happiness. It conveys to them: “You can’t become happy on your own; you need me.” This denies that happiness is an achievement. If you could somehow … Continue reading
Projection is when you attribute to another person a quality you consider undesirable about yourself. For example, being quick to call Joe a liar when you consider yourself a liar–but won’t admit this fact. Or, being quick to call Mary … Continue reading
An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that socialism worked and that no one would be poor … Continue reading
People who show respect for reality, and for the laws of logic, will show respect for others. This is because they know they need and want others with whom to associate, for personal, business or other reasons. They appreciate that … Continue reading
I recently heard a psychiatrist affiliated with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) complain that the insurance industry, motivated by profit, has pushed the APA to narrow the diagnosis for Bipolar Disorder — so there may be fewer insurance claims approved. This may … Continue reading
Q: Dr. Hurd, I have few real friends and feel that people usually respond to me in a negative way, no matter how nice or reasonable I try to be. Any thoughts or advice? A: You say people seem to … Continue reading
Democracy isn’t supposed to be about the mob ruling over the individual. It also isn’t supposed to be about a political pressure group overriding the will of the majority — or the rights of a minority, either. The point of … Continue reading