How do you know if your standard of happiness is realistic? I hear a lot of people asking, “Do I want too much?” I know of two ways to answer this question. Does somebody you know, or know about, have … Continue reading →

Why do people get hostile when fighting about politics, religion, etc.? The main reason: Because they take it personally. And usually this is a mistake. It’s understandable to feel or think: “If someone assaults one of my most important values … Continue reading →

It’s really important to fill your life with beauty. Particularly because we live in such a cynical, hard-edged era. Beauty matters. And it can take on many forms. Art can be beautiful. It’s often trash or mediocre, but the classics … Continue reading →

Two factors make behavioral and emotional change difficult. One, the level of entrenched programming in your mind of the self-defeating, irrational or counterproductive thoughts. Two, the degree to which you’re motivated (or not motivated) to change yourself. Consider a substance … Continue reading →

What does it mean to “take things personally”? As if it’s automatically and always a mistake. The basic error is assuming it’s all about you, when it’s not. While from your own point-of-view, your own life is — and should … Continue reading →

The other day, I heard somebody use the expression “mining for issues”. The context was looking for trouble. Or looking for things to be anxious about, without realizing that’s what’s happening. The most self-responsible and reasonable of us are often … Continue reading →

Some people wonder why I block people with whom I disagree, whether the subject is government, rights, psychology or just life. They ask, “Don’t you welcome dissenting opinion?” Of course I welcome dissenting opinion. But that opinion has to be … Continue reading →

Psychotherapy and psychological counseling refer to a process of self-change. However, not everyone wants to change. Even people in therapy don’t always want to change. Of course, psychotherapy clients want relief from their symptoms, depression, anxiety, and other painful emotions. … Continue reading →

There’s no law (at least yet) saying you have to make New Year’s resolutions. Nor is there a law forbidding you from making resolutions any time during the year. What’s the point of a resolution, anyway? To make your life … Continue reading →

In most cases, when people call another person “crazy” they don’t really  mean “mentally ill”. What they really mean is: “I don’t agree with you.” The psychiatric definition of “crazy” means sensory hallucinations and/or delusions. Delusions have to be obvious, … Continue reading →

The World Health Organization is considering adding “gaming disorder” to the list of mental health conditions in its next update of the International Classification of Diseases. The defining point of where a medical gaming disorder exists, as opposed to just … Continue reading →

“Renowned Harvard Psychologist Jerome Kagan Says ADHD is Largely a Fraud”, says the headline. I’ve been saying this since 1996 or so. Glad that Harvard is finally on board. What’s the problem with ADHD? It’s such a vague diagnostic category … Continue reading →